When David Lopour traveled from Sheboygan, Wisconsin to the University's Coral Gables campus to accept his master's in music business, the moment marked both an ending and a beginning.
Lopour, who has spent more than a decade immersed in electronic and digital music, graduated from the University's online Master of Arts in Music Industry (MIND) program, offered through the Frost School of Music.
This semester, Lopour returns to an online classroom to begin his second graduate program with the Frost School, the Master of Music in Media Scoring and Production. He said his goal has always been to understand how music is made, as well as how it moves through the world.
"As someone who has devoted more than 10 years to electronic and digital music, this program helped me understand how to properly license and sell my tracks, but also how to market them and build relationships so they end up in the right hands," he said.
"The (Master of Arts in Music Industry) covers the entirety of the music industry: how art is consumed, produced, and distributed, and it's been an incredibly rewarding experience."
One of the most meaningful takeaways from the program, Lopour said, was gaining perspective on the role music plays in people's lives and how structural shifts in the industry have shaped that relationship.
Through coursework and discussion, he examined how consolidation within the music business has altered local music scenes and artist-listener connections. At the same time, he came to see the opportunity embedded in today's digital landscape.
"The demand for music has never been higher," Lopour explained. "What's changed is that the tools to create and distribute it are far more accessible. Independent artists can bypass traditional gatekeepers in ways that simply weren't possible before."
That realization helped solidify his goals, he said.
"The biggest accomplishment for me was recognizing how possible these opportunities really are," Lopour said. "My goals now feel less like a shot at the moon and more like a tower to climb: still challenging, but achievable with the right strategy and effort."
Lopour said he credits the program with helping him think beyond traditional employment models and toward sustainable, independent revenue streams, an approach that resonated with his creative ambitions.
"This program shows students how to build media channels that don't rely on applying for a job," he explained. "A creator can package their skills, connect directly with audiences, and generate income alongside whatever other work they're doing. That flexibility is powerful."
That mindset is one reason he chose to continue his education online.
"I see it as a huge opportunity," he said. "It allows me to deepen my creative and technical skills while continuing my career. I don't have to step away from my job to keep moving forward."
For students considering one of the University's online music programs, Lopour said he would encourage them to think honestly about their goals.
"I'd tell them to think about why they want to be here," he said. "This program is for someone who wants to lead their own creative and business vision within the music industry."
For Lopour, success comes from seeing music as both an art and an enterprise, and from embracing lifelong learning.
"There's work involved—learning new tools, new platforms, new ways of thinking," he said. "But the learning itself is exciting. These are skills that let you build something meaningful and lasting."
Although Lopour completed his degree online, walking across the stage at commencement to receive his diploma carried special meaning.
"It mattered to me to be there," he said. "The University of Miami campus is probably my favorite place on earth."
As he embarks upon his next academic chapter, Lopour said he sees his education as part of a longer creative journey, all rooted in his belief in music's enduring power.
"I want music to play an even bigger role in society," he said. "And I want to be part of building what comes next."
He said he also hopes to bring his family with him to campus when he graduates in 2027.
