By Nasha Dutta

Music magazine Billboard has ranked Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) professional music program among the world’s top music business schools for the second consecutive year.

In its 2026 list, Billboard recognized TMU’s professional music program for what it calls a “commitment to exploring emerging trends and diverse music markets.” Billboard also applauded faculty member Charlie Wall-Andrews for incorporating AI into courses with ethics in mind.

The publication highlighted the program’s courses in music business, production, entrepreneurship, marketing, management and live events.

Wall-Andrews, who is an assistant professor in creative industries at TMU, was recognized as a Billboard Canada ‘Power Player’ in 2025. She said in an interview with The Eyeopener she helped shape the curriculum by drawing on her music industry experience and collaborating with industry professionals.

“We need to help students be able to create content that is actually relevant in how people consume content today,” said Wall-Andrews.

She said the work-integrated learning in the program, which may include internships through courses, is the key component that leads to student success.

Billboard also recognized the program’s course developed in a partnership with Billboard Canada, which examined the career of Diljit Dosanjh, a Punjabi musical artist.

Wall-Andrews compared the curriculum to international course offerings on Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, emphasizing the cultural element of the Dosanjh course.

“Diljit Dosanjh provides a very different perspective, because now we’re looking at what it means to break barriers, especially based on identity and how he has represented the diaspora of particularly the Punjabi, but also South Asian community, on a global stage with such diplomacy,” she said.

Adrian De Souza, a second-year professional music student, described the program as “community-oriented”. He said it’s helped him find his footing in the music industry and built friendships with students who have different interests and career goals.

“I never felt that anyone tried to be more competitive than anyone else. It’s more or less, hey, can you help me with this? Or, hey, can you do a bass part on that?” he said.

He also said professors in the program are encouraging and “try to accelerate you on what you can do in this program outside of the classroom.”

De Souza added said the program’s instructors push students to use the program’s tools and resources beyond their coursework.

Gabriel Ruddick, a second-year professional music student, said access to the program’s recording studios and professional equipment has been a highlight of his experience.

Ruddick said he originally intended to go into music education after graduating from the program. However, as he progressed, he discovered he may want to work in the music industry instead of teaching music.

Billboard Canada also reported that it and its publisher, ArtsHouse Media Group, will continue their partnership with TMU’s professional music program through a new course set to be offered in the winter 2027 semester.

Ruddick said he hopes to see more offerings of local venue partnerships, internship opportunities and co-op placements from the program.

“Knowing that if I were to be picked up to work at a music festival or a local venue, I’d know what I was doing and be familiar with the equipment. I’d feel like I had a place in the music industry,” said Ruddick.

Wall-Andrews said developing the program has been a community effort. She added that the curriculum is shaped by student feedback, as well as input from industry professionals to better understand what they may expect of graduates.

“I hold my students to the highest standard because they are the next generation that will shape this industry. And therefore, we need to be stewards of the culture of the art and to respect that, first and foremost,” Wall-Andrews said.