CMA Champions Future Industry Leaders At 12th Annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit

THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONS FUTURE INDUSTRY LEADERS AT 12th ANNUAL CMA EDU LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Leadership Summit Welcomes 37 Students From 24 Universities Across the United States

Applications Open August 1 For 2026-2027 Program

 The Country Music Association welcomed its CMA EDU Class of 2025-2026 to Nashville for the 12th annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit, held Monday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 23 at CMA’s headquarters. Over the course of three immersive days, students participated in hands-on professional development, behind-the-scenes industry education, and networking opportunities.  

Designed to inspire and equip the next generation of music industry leaders, the CMA EDU program continues to be a sought-after program for students eager to get their start in the music business. To date, several hundred CMA EDU alumni are actively working across the music industry, holding roles in label operations, artist management, publishing, live events, media, and more, further demonstrating the program’s lasting impact on the business. 

This year’s CMA EDU class is made up of 37 students representing 24 unique universities across the country. The 2025-2026 class: 

• Kathryn Danley (Auburn University)  

• Elena Miers (Belmont University)  

• Ava Eszenyi (Boston College)  

• McKenna York (Carson-Newman University)  

• Alondra Johnson (Coastal Carolina University)  

• Emily Benson-Tyler (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill)  

• Matthew Thorn (University of Notre Dame)  

• Bella Veal (University of South Carolina)  

• Lexi Anand (Vanderbilt University)  

• Mia Perez (University of Alabama)  

• Andrew Michalak (University of South Carolina)  

• Molly Cochran (Belmont University)  

• Teal Salloum (University of Mississippi Law School)  

• Cameron Dempsey (Belmont University)  

• Kirstyn Dietrich (University of South Carolina)  

• Max Pieron (Vanderbilt University)  

• Hayes Herron (University of Alabama)  

• Candice Dillard (Belmont University)  

• Sebastian Fernandez (University of Miami)  

• Ally Goodwin (University of Georgia)  

• Jade Blatter (Vanderbilt University)  

• Maya Shamari (Vanderbilt University)  

• Alex Hendl (University of Tennessee)  

• Madeline Raclawski (University of Alabama)  

• Victoria Culotta (University of Notre Dame)  

• Cameron Long (College of Charleston)  

• Amelia Duffner (University of Georgia)  

• Sahana Desai (The Ohio State University)  

• Miranda Arnold (University of Central Florida)  

• Samantha Mills (University of Florida)  

• John Paul Goodwin (Duke University)  

• Ella Hickman (Baylor University)  

• Mia Hartounian (University of Southern California)  

• Thomas Mitchell (Mississippi State University)  

• Elizabeth Rottenberger (Belmont University) 

• Carly Webster (Baldwin Wallace University)   

• Dylan Small (Belmont University) 

“Welcoming each new class of CMA EDU students is always a highlight, and this year is no exception,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “This class is full of passionate, driven students who are already on track to becoming the next generation of leaders in our industry. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them soak up every opportunity offered through the CMA EDU program, and walk away with insight, meaningful connections, and a stronger sense of where they can make an impact in our business. I am so proud of what this program continues to offer, and even more excited to see how these students carry it forward.” 

On Monday, the Summit kicked off with an overview of the CMA EDU program, hosted by CMA EDU alum Kate Watson (Director, CMA Industry Relations) and Grace Martins (Manager, CMA Industry Relations). Students then gained valuable education on bar safety and event responsibility through a session led by Red Frogs, an organization dedicated to promoting safe and supportive environments at live events. Later in the day, students headed to Warner Chappell Music for an exclusive writers round featuring performances and stories from songwriters Erik Dylan, Jack Rauton, and Schmitty, offering a unique glimpse into the creative process and the heart of songwriting in Nashville. 

On Tuesday, Sarah Trahern (CMA CEO) gave students an encouraging presentation to kickstart the day,  before Brittany Schaffer (Dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University) moderated a conversation with Country artist Carter Faith and her team, including Cameron Lutz (Manager, Range Media Partners), Ash Wolk (Manager, Range Media Partners), Meredith Jones (Music Agent, CAA), and Katie McCartney (Executive Vice President & General Manager, Music Corporation of America). The panelists offered students a behind-the-scenes look at how their individual roles contribute to an artist’s success, while also highlighting the key qualities needed to thrive in each position. 

After that, CMA hosted a series of engaging panels designed to give students a behind-the-scenes look at key sectors of the music business. The afternoon kicked off with a publishing panel led by Prescription Songs, featuring Hannah Bay-Schuck (A&R Executive, 7 Hills Music) and Jillian Rutstein (Senior Director, Digital Marketing & Creative Synch, Prescription Songs and Amigo Records). The focus then shifted to artist development with a session hosted by Sony Music Nashville, spotlighting insights from CMA EDU alum, Oakley Holmes (Senior Coordinator, Digital Marketing & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville), Meghan Reich (Manager, Digital Marketing & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville), and Fred Rubenstein (Vice President, Digital Marketing, Sony Music Nashville). The day concluded with a special two-hour session hosted by Black River Entertainment, where Country artist Chris Young and his producer Andy Sheridan walked students through the creative process behind Young’s new album. 

To close out the event, students took part in a dynamic panel highlighting the innovative work of The Neal Agency, one of the industry’s most exciting forces in artist representation and brand building. Panelists Kelly Littlefield (Director, HR & Operations, The Neal Agency), Adi Sharma (Co-Head and Agent, The Neal Agency), Michelle Bower (President, Strategic Partnerships, The Neal Agency), and Marisa Mineo (Head of Tour Marketing, The Neal Agency) offered insights into the agency’s approach to management, strategy, and artist development. Following the panel, keynote speaker and CMA Board member, Mary Hilliard Harrington (Artist Manager, Wild Heart/Red Light Management), whose visionary leadership continues to shape the future of the music business, spoke about her career path, offering honest reflections and practical advice for the students in the room. The Summit concluded with a special “Live at CMA” performance from rising artist Hudson Westbrook. The visit started off with a heartfelt interview with Westbrook, who shared about his journey in the music industry, the milestone moment of making his Opry debut and his upcoming album, Texas Forever, which releases today, Friday, July 25. The Q&A was followed by an acoustic performance of his songs “Fool,” “Sober” and “House Again.”  

Applications for the 2026-2027 program open Friday, Aug. 1. To learn more about applying for the next CMA EDU class, visit cmamember.com/programs/cma-edu/. 

 
About the Country Music Association  

Founded in 1958, CMA is the premier trade association of the Country Music industry. Representing professionals making a living in Country Music globally, the organization serves as a critical resource of support and information, honors excellence in the genre and provides a forum for industry leadership. CMA is dedicated to expanding Country Music around the world through a number of core programs and initiatives including the organization’s three annual television properties—the CMA Awards, “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas,” all of which air on ABC. The organization’s philanthropic arm, the CMA Foundation, works tirelessly to provide equitable access to music education in order to create impactful change for students and teachers across the United States.

For more information about CMA EDU, visit CMA-EDU.com.