Arthouse Entertainment
Kara DioGuardi’s Biography
Kara DioGuardi is a songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, author, music publisher, and former “American Idol” judge who is responsible for some of the most well-known songs of the last 20+ years. While garnering 11 Grammy nominations, DioGuardi’s songs have appeared on albums totaling 160 million in sales. She has won 23 BMI awards for the most performed songs on the radio each year, including BMI’s Songwriter of the Year award.
DioGuardi has collaborated with some of the most iconic pop music artists in the world, including P!nk, Katy Perry, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Jason Derulo, Demi Lovato, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Underwood, Colbie Caillat, Enrique Iglesias, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Darius Rucker, Faith Hill, Santana, and more. Her credits include more than 320 songs released by major labels, 150 of which landed on RIAA Platinum albums, and more than 50 charting singles, cumulatively surpassing one billion streams.
A trailblazer for women in the male-dominated field of music publishing, DioGuardi founded Arthouse Entertainment two decades ago with her business partner Stephen Finfer. The company evolved from publishing DioGuardi’s songwriting catalog into a home for long-term artist development in the songwriting space, building careers for three-time Grammy-nominated artist/songwriter Ingrid Andress and acclaimed songwriter/artist Jon Bellion (Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, Halsey, Maroon 5) to name a few. In addition to the aforementioned artists’ catalogs, Arthouse past and present copyrights include hits from Bruno Mars, Demi Lovato, Eminem, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Brown, Halsey, Rosé, Christina Aguilera, Chloe x Halle, Camila Cabello, Carrie Underwood, Jason Derulo, Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, Charli XCX, Fletcher, Kesha, and many more.
DioGuardi has played several roles throughout her career in the music industry, including music producer and label executive. As Executive Vice President at Warner Brothers Records, she signed RIAA platinum artist Jason Derulo. Outside of the music industry, she is a published author and Broadway actress, starring in 2011 as Roxie Hart in the Tony Award-winning revival of Chicago.
DioGuardi continued a love for developing new talent as a judge on seasons 8 and 9 of the hit FOX show, “American Idol.” She returned to TV as head judge on Bravo’s songwriting reality show competition, “Platinum Hit,” and eventually fulfilled her love of coaching budding songwriters as the Herb Alpert Visiting Scholar at Berklee College of Music, where she has taught for the last eight years.
A steadfast believer in the power of music and the arts, DioGuardi created and funded the Phoenix Rising Music Program at Phoenix House, a non-profit organization dedicated to leading individuals, families and communities affected by addiction from disrupted to productive lives. As part of the program, she oversaw the construction of five recording studios at various Phoenix House locations.
In 2016, DioGuardi co-founded Inspired Nation, a non-profit that aims to give young aspiring artists a platform to tell their stories. Through various programs, Inspired Nation seeks to develop their voices, empower them, and give them the ability to help others in their generation. All of the proceeds from Inspired Nation’s singing competitions benefit youth-focused charities. To honor her family’s Italian-American heritage, DioGuardi established an educational scholarship in her family’s name at the Columbus Citizens Foundation that provides financial support to students of Italian descent.
“I’ve worn a lot of different hats in the music business, but my true love is discovering new talent and helping aspiring creatives tell their story and reach their potential,” said DioGuardi. “Nothing is more rewarding (and more fun).”
Stephen Finfer’s Biography
Stephen Finfer is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, music executive, personal manager, and attorney, with a reputation for crafting innovative and fair agreements. He serves as Arthouse Entertainment’s Co-CEO.
Finfer co-founded and built Arthouse with business partner and management client, seminal songwriter/TV personality/A&R veteran, Kara DioGuardi. The two have grown Arthouse into one of the most successful boutique music publishing companies in the world, with 35 Grammy Award nominations and 31 BMI Pop Awards for the most played songs on radio, including Bruno Mars’ “Just The Way You Are,” “The Lazy Song,” and “Grenade”; Jason Derulo’s “Want You To Want Me” and “Trumpets”; and “The Monster” by Eminem feat. Rihanna.
The pair’s long-term development strategy for finding talent early and mentoring them into their full potential has produced some of the most sought-after and critically acclaimed songwriters in recent years, including artist/songwriter Jon Bellion (Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, Halsey, Maroon 5, Camilla Cabello, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry); 3x Grammy Award nominee Ingrid Andress, and producer/songwriter Pete Nappi (Kesha, Mike Shinoda).
Prior to Arthouse, Finfer launched TVT Music Publishing, the publishing arm of TVT Records, where as General Manager, he signed hit songwriter/producer Scott Storch (Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Eminem, Christina Aguilera) and Lil John (Pitbull, Usher, Yin Yang Twins) among others.
Finfer also served stints as Senior Director, Creative Affairs at Famous Music Publishing/Paramount Pictures and General Manager/East Coast at Universal Music Publishing, prior to TVT. Earlier in his career, he established and led a law firm and management company where his clients included Dr. Dre/Death Row Records, Master P/No Limit Records, Capitol Records, Priority Records, Loud Records, Fleetwood Mac, and Selena Quintanilla.
Finfer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis University and his Juris Doctor degree from the Benjamin N. Cardoza School of Law.
Outside of music, Finfer has produced for television, including a series for USA Networks. He is Managing Director of Finfer Family Office, which focuses on investments within the growing cannabis industry.
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