Columbia's Jerry Brindisi Wins 2025 Music Business Educator of the Year Award
Columbia College Chicago is proud to announce that Jerry Brindisi, interim director of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, has won the 2025 Music Business Educator of the Year Award by the Music Business Association. This honor recognizes educators who inspire and prepare students for successful careers in the music industry. The award was presented at the Bizzy Awards Dinner on May 14, 2025, during the Music Biz 2025 conference in Atlanta.
The Music Business Association is a leading non-profit organization that promotes and supports the music industry by providing a platform for collaboration, education, and networking among music professionals.
This nomination highlights Brindisi’s dedication to nurturing future music business leaders at Columbia College Chicago.
At the awards event, Brindisi was joined by his former Columbia students Liv McDonough '17 (a promoter rep at Zero Mile Presents) and Brandon Graham '08 (founder of My HBCU Matters); Columbia alum and Emmy winner Katherine Iorio '18 (producer at CNN International); and incoming Columbia President and CEO Dr. Shantay N. Bolton.
“Watching Jerry take the stage to receive this honor was a proud moment for Columbia. His commitment to cultivating the next generation of music business leaders is exactly the kind of bold, student-centered excellence that defines our faculty," Bolton says. "This award is more than a personal achievement—it’s a spotlight on the real-world impact Columbia has on the creative industries."
Congratulations, Jerry!
Jerry Brindisi was joined by alums and colleagues at the Music Business Association Awards. From left to right: Liv McDonough '17; Jerry Brindisi; Dr. Shantay N. Bolton; Brandon Graham '08; and Katherine Iorio ’18.