THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION INVESTS IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF COUNTRY MUSIC PROFESSIONALS AT 13th ANNUAL CMA EDU LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Leadership Summit Welcomes 34 Students From 24 Universities Across the United States
Applications For 2027-2028 Program
Open Tuesday, August 4
The Country Music Association welcomed its CMA EDU Class of 2026-2027 to Nashville for the 13th annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit, held Monday, July 20 through Wednesday, July 22 at CMA’s headquarters and locations across Nashville. Over three immersive days, students participated in hands-on professional development, behind-the-scenes industry education, and conversations with artists, executives and CMA EDU alumni across multiple sectors of the Country Music business.
As a trade association, CMA works to strengthen the entire Country Music ecosystem, including investing in the future workforce that will carry the industry forward. Through the Summit and year-round CMA EDU programming, students gain practical knowledge, build relationships and develop a clearer understanding of the many career paths available across artist management, touring, publishing, labels, agencies, brands, live events and more.
This year’s CMA EDU class is made up of 34 students representing 24 universities across the country. The 2026-2027 class:
- Angel Pineda (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
- Anna Munoz (The Ohio State University)
- Cameron Dempsey (Belmont University)
- Caroline Floyd (Belmont University)
- Cecilia Aston (The University of Alabama)
- Charlotte Cruickshank (Vanderbilt University)
- Clay Hale (University of Mississippi)
- Dalton Dismukes (Auburn University)
- Emma Brandenburg (The University of Alabama)
- Emma Crane (University of Mississippi)
- Fallon O’Donnell (University of South Carolina)
- Grace Hollowell (James Madison University)
- Grace Papish (Georgetown University Law Center)
- Griffin Henderson (Arizona State University)
- Hayes Herren (The University of Alabama)
- Henry Lato (The University of Tennessee Knoxville)
- Jade Blatter (Vanderbilt University)
- Jimmy Schlangen (University of Cincinnati)
- John Paul Goodwin (Duke University)
- Joseph Schauwecker (Mississippi State University)
- Kate Lambert (University of Central Florida)
- Lauren Spitzer (Middle Tennessee State University)
- Leah Hale (University of St Andrews and College of William & Mary)
- Luindeni Baker (The Ohio State University)
- Meredith Williams (The Ohio State University)
- Paula Legisima (Vanderbilt University)
- Sahana Desai (The Ohio State University)
- Samantha Mills (University of Florida)
- Sarah Kuhl (University of Southern California)
- Shannon Herrity (Radford University)
- Sofia Gershanik (Georgetown University)
- Sophie Speer (Clemson University)
- Spencer Gaus (University of Vermont)
- Teal Salloum (University of Mississippi School of Law)
“CMA EDU is one of the most meaningful ways we invest in the long-term strength of the Country Music industry,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “When we created this program, the vision was to bring students and industry professionals together in one place, and to give emerging leaders access to the people, perspectives and relationships that can shape an entire career. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that vision continue to grow, with hundreds of alumni now working throughout the music industry. We hope every student leaves with new knowledge, genuine connections and the confidence to begin building a career of their own.”
On Monday, students were welcomed by CMA EDU alum Kate Watson (CMA Senior Director, Industry Relations) and Grace Martins (CMA Manager, Industry Relations), who introduced the class to the program. The class then visited Rock Nashville for a behind-the-scenes tour before returning to CMA for dinner and time to connect with fellow students.
On Tuesday, Sarah Trahern (CMA CEO) opened the day with remarks, followed by a session led by Kerns. Students then heard from HARDY and members of his team, including Troy “Tracker” Johnson (Founder & Artist Manager, TRACK mgmt), Taylor Watson (Tour Manager) and Marisa Mineo (Head of Tour Marketing, The Neal Agency), during an artist team panel moderated by Madi White (CMA Manager, Integrated Marketing). The conversation explored how management, touring and tour marketing work together to support an artist’s career.
The afternoon continued with a management panel hosted by Sandbox Entertainment featuring Madison Moll (Digital Manager, Sandbox Entertainment Group), Lucia Kaminsky (President, Sandbox Entertainment Group) and Keith Bunn (Digital Director, Sandbox Entertainment Group) and moderated by Jordan Maynard (CMA Coordinator, Marketing). Students also heard directly from CMA EDU alumni working across the business, including Jackson Kiger (A&R Manager, Sony Music Publishing), Claire Martin (Agent Assistant, THE TEAM) and Landon Collins (A&R Analytics Manager, MCA). The day concluded with a writers round featuring Gloria Anderson, Caleb Mitchell and Braydon Watts.
Wednesday opened with a keynote conversation featuring Troy Tomlinson (Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville). Students then participated in professional development opportunities including headshots, a Q&A with Kerns, and one-on-one conversations with Watson and Martins. The Summit concluded with a special “Live at CMA” conversation and performance from rising artist Stella Lefty, moderated by CMA EDU student Jade Blatter.
Applications for the 2027-2028 program open Tuesday, August 4 at 9 AM/CT. 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.
CMA EDU Class of 2026-2027
Photo Credit: Addison Hilton/CMA
(L-R) Troy “Tracker” Johnson (Founder & Artist Manager, TRACK mgmt), HARDY, Taylor Watson (Tour Manager) and Marisa Mineo (Head of Tour Marketing, The Neal Agency) during the CMA EDU Leadership Summit, a multi-day conference July 20-22 at CMA HQ in Nashville, TN.
Photo Credit: Addison Hilton/CMA
(L-R) Madison Moll (Digital Manager, Sandbox Entertainment Group), Keith Bunn (Digital Director, Sandbox Entertainment Group) and Lucia Kaminsky (President, Sandbox Entertainment Group) during the CMA EDU Leadership Summit, a multi-day conference July 20-22 at CMA HQ in Nashville, TN.
Photo Credit: Addison Hilton/CMA
(L-R) CMA EDU Alumni Claire Martin (Agent Assistant, THE TEAM), Jackson Kiger (A&R Manager, Sony Music Publishing) and Landon Collins (A&R Analytics Manager, MCA) during the CMA EDU Leadership Summit, a multi-day conference July 20-22 at CMA HQ in Nashville, TN.
Photo Credit: Addison Hilton/CMA
Braydon Watts, Gloria Anderson and Caleb Mitchell participate in a writer’s round during the CMA EDU Leadership Summit, a multi-day conference July 20-22 at CMA HQ in Nashville, TN.
Photo Credit: Addison Hilton/CMA
Troy Tomlinson (Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville) gives a keynote speech during the CMA EDU Leadership Summit, a multi-day conference July 20-22 at CMA HQ in Nashville, TN.
Photo Credit: Addison Hilton/CMA
Stella Lefty visits CMA HQ for a “Live @ CMA” performance and Q&A on Wednesday, July 22 in Nashville, closing out the 2025 CMA EDU Leadership Summit.
Photo Credit: Addison Hilton/CMA
