Rock Monsters Romania

Music isn’t just about hits and packed venues—it’s also about the people who change the rules of the game, whether on stage or behind the scenes. The 10th anniversary edition of the Mastering the Music Business 2025 conference (September 9–11, Bucharest) brings together over 100 voices shaping today’s global music business. Among them are five women who define the present and future of the music industry. Each has her own unique voice—whether it’s one that fills stadiums or one that commands the negotiation table.

Katie Melua – the voice that conquered the world
One of the UK’s best-selling artists, Katie Melua has released 8 studio albums that reached the Top 10 and sold over 11 million copies worldwide. Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, Katie moved to the UK, studied at the Brit School, and by the age of 19 had already become a sensation. Today, beyond her career as a songwriter and performer with 56 platinum records, she is also a mother, speaking openly about the challenges of balancing touring with family life.

At MMB, you’ll find her in HerStory: Katie Melua, an intimate conversation about career, creativity, and femininity in music, as well as in the panel The Manager–Artist Relationship, alongside her manager, Sumit Buthra.

Anca Lupeș – the pioneer of music business education in Romania
From journalism and radio to record labels, management, and booking, Anca Lupeș has experienced every side of the industry, becoming one of Romania’s most respected professionals. She was the first Romanian graduate of the Music Business Master’s program at Berklee and is the founder of the Mastering the Music Business conference. Today, she serves as president of RAW Music and executive director of INDIERO.

At MMB 2025, Anca will be featured in a special edition of HerStory by Women in Music, where she shares her journey and life lessons. You can also hear her in the panel Old and New Taxes and Their Impact on the Live Entertainment Industry, alongside leaders from the live sector, discussing how fiscal changes are shaping the future of concerts and festivals.

Olga Juverdeanu – the strategy behind the biggest independent label in CEE
As Managing Director at Global Records, Olga Juverdeanu leads the largest independent label in Central and Eastern Europe, representing over 55 artists and 60 songwriters and producers. With a strong background in finance and management (including international experience at BASF), Olga has grown Global Records into a full-scale hub for music, publishing, and video production.

At MMB, she’ll appear in two sessions: HerStory by Women in Music – Anca Lupeș, and the panel Old and New Taxes and Their Impact on the Live Entertainment Industry, bringing a practical perspective on how taxation is reshaping the live scene.

Ruth Koleva – artist, entrepreneur, and activist
Born in Bulgaria, Ruth Koleva has been recognized with honors such as Forbes 30 Under 30, Grazia Woman of the Year, and Best Jazz Vocalist in Japan. Beyond the stage, she is Head of Partnerships at Kanjian (China’s largest independent music company), founder of Sofia Live Festival and SoAlive Music Conference, and a board member of IMPALA. She is a strong advocate for artists’ rights, the LGBTQ+ community, and equity in the industry.

At MMB, Ruth will join the panel The New Schengen Route: Opening Doors for Business in the Balkans, where she’ll explore how Schengen expansion is changing artist mobility, tour logistics, and cross-border collaborations in the Balkans.

Milena Fessmann – where music meets film
A DJ since the ’90s, producer, and lecturer in music supervising, Milena Fessmann has curated the soundtrack for over 500 films and series, including All Quiet on the Western Front and Perfect Days. She is a member of the European Film Academy and the World Soundtrack Academy, a moderator at festivals such as Reeperbahn, and the founder of the production company Sugar Town Film. Her latest project is the documentary “Don’t talk, do! She-Punks from 1977 until now.”

At MMB, Milena will take the stage in the panel Sync Strategies: How to Pitch Your Music to the Right Projects, where she’ll explain how to get your music into films, series, commercials, or video games.

These five are only part of the MMB 2025 program, which brings together artists, managers, entrepreneurs, producers, and trendsetters from around the world. With over 100 speakers and dozens of sessions, the conference covers everything that matters in today’s music industry—from AI and digital rights to booking, sync, and cultural entrepreneurship.

Mastering the Music Business takes place September 9–11 in Bucharest, at Hotel Caro. Full program details and tickets are available at https://www.masteringthemusicbusiness.ro/.