Shalom Miller
Shalom “J.Storm” Miller teaches music technology, songwriting and music business in Nashville and online. He is an American record producer, songwriter, audio engineer, music publisher and music manager, originally from New Jersey.
He has acquired multiple awards for music production and songwriting. He can help with most mainstream contemporary genres of music, including pop, urban/rhythmic, R&B, gospel, etc. Shalom started his career in the music business when he was signed to Missy Elliott’s label, The Goldmind Inc., with high his school friend as a production collective known as Tha Beat Mizrs through a co-production deal with Soul Diggaz. Shalom has worked with many well-known artists including Missy Elliott, Beyonce, Jully Black, Tweet, Gwen Stefani, Clipse, Izza Kizza, and others.
He relocated to Nashville, TN where he attended and graduated from SAE Institute and worked at BMI as a Music Licensing Executive. He is the founder and CEO of Power Move Management Group, a management and publishing company based in Nashville, TN.
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As a music industry professional, I believe that teaching should be a dynamic experience that combines both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. My core approach to teaching involves using lecture-based, inquiry-based, and hands-on teaching methods to ensure that my students get a well-rounded understanding of the music industry.
Lecture-based teaching allows me to convey essential theoretical knowledge and industry jargon to my students in an organized manner. This approach has proven effective in ensuring that my students are grounded in the fundamentals of the industry, such as music industry etiquette and adapting to the culture of the business.
Inquiry-based teaching methods are crucial in encouraging students to ask critical questions and explore the concepts they have learned further. Inquiry-based learning can also help students develop their problem-solving skills, which is essential in an ever-changing industry. By posing thought-provoking questions, I challenge my students to think beyond the information I present in lectures and foster independent learning.
The music industry is an inherently hands-on field, and students need to develop practical skills that can help them succeed. Practical experience through hands-on learning can range from live performances to studio recording and post-production techniques.
I have always sought ways to inspire my students to take on projects and contribute to every part of the process from start to finish. Graduating from SAE and Berklee College of Music took all my experience and knowledge to a whole new level, giving me the confidence to guide my students through each aspect of the industry. This experience has also enabled me to create an atmosphere that promotes exploration, learning, and creativity.
As a music industry professional, I know firsthand what skills students need to succeed in the industry, and I strive to create a learning environment that can provide those skills to each student.
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I can honestly say it has not been a smooth road for me; although I recognize that I have had what some would be considered a fairytale entrance into the business, the journey to success has been rough and filled with pitfalls.
Growing up in some of the most dangerous areas of urban New Jersey, it wasn’t always easy to make the right choices and follow my dreams, especially when your environment only presents options that make it virtually impossible. When I first plunged into the music industry at the age of 19, I was fresh-faced and brimming with talent but quickly realized I lacked maturity and emotional intelligence. Managing my ego was difficult, as was dealing with the ruthless business end of the industry.
It’s during this challenging phase that I’m immensely thankful to a friend, Natasha Dyer, executive assistant on our team at that time. She exposed me to literature and dialogues that ignited a journey of personal development and spiritual awakening for me.
The road continued to be tumultuous. In 2008, the recession severely impacted the music industry, resulting in me having to reset and effectively shut down all my dealings. This also led to my relocation to Nashville and prompted me to re-imagine my approach to music and the business surrounding it.
During all this, I had to learn to juggle my new duties as a husband, a father, and a student, all the while rebranding and adapting to the changes. These difficulties were strenuous and draining but served as the biggest lessons for me.
Today, I can say I am grateful for these struggles because they’ve shaped me into the man I am now. The pitfalls along the way were lessons, ones that taught me the true value of resilience, passion, and hard work. My story is a testimony that growth comes with struggles, but those challenges are the same ones that build character and resilience. I am fortunate to have had a life that taught me more than it took away, a rare story that I’m proud to tell.
