CMA Hosts 10th Annual EDU Leadership Summit

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The CMA EDU Class of 2023-2024. Photo: Becca Risley/CMA

CMA wrapped its 10th annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit in Nashville from July 30 through Aug. 1.

Created to develop and support the next generation of music industry leaders, CMA EDU is offered to students who demonstrate a drive to succeed in the music business. The multi-day conference, held at CMA headquarters, included three days of professional development training, industry education and community-building opportunities for college students from around the country.

Throughout the summit, CMA EDU students heard from industry veterans and leaders on a variety of topics. Highlights included a conversation moderated by Brittany Schaffer, Dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University, with artist Megan Moroney and her team, including Taylor Lindsey, Head of A&R for Sony Music Nashville, Elisa Vazzana, UTA Agent, and Juli Griffith Artist Manager and Owner at Punchbowl Entertainment, on her journey in the music industry and advice for those breaking into the business.

Touring professional Mike Finn hosted a conversation about the touring landscape while Charlie Morgan, Apple Music’s Head of Music Programming and CMA Board Chairman, spoke to attendees about streaming and the future of music.

Digital marketing agency Girlilla Marketing hosted a panel with Stevie Zea Escoto, Senior Managing Director, Lindsey Feinstein, Account Director, Gigi Morrison, Junior Creative Manager, and Kate Cacopardo, Account Coordinator, focused on cultivating brand identity and the importance of building your personal brand. Publishing company Concord curated a discussion with Brad Kennard, Senior Vice President, A&R, Courtney Allen, Senior Director of A&R, Matt Turner, Senior Director of A&R, and singer-songwriter Andy Albert about the role of publishing in the music industry ecosystem. Artist Russell Dickerson also made a surprise appearance during the conversation, discussing songwriting, performing and his experience in the business.

“We could not be more excited to have hosted our CMA EDU class of 2023-2024 for the CMA EDU Leadership Summit over the last few days,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “As a trade association, we are committed to equipping and supporting the next generation of leaders with tools, resources and community-building opportunities as they step into their careers with confidence. The CMA EDU Leadership Summit is a culmination of those efforts, and the start of a year-long journey for our CMA EDU students, giving them a firsthand look into our business. With a 91% job placement rate for those graduating from the program, we are so grateful to the industry partners and leaders that give their time to make CMA EDU a success, and the incredible students who show up so willing to learn. The future of our business is bright!”

This year’s summit welcomed the CMA EDU Class of 2023-2024, made up of 39 students from 20 universities, including the University of Miami, The Ohio State University, Middle Tennessee State University, The University of South Carolina, Vanderbilt University, Auburn University, Belmont University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Northeastern University, Chapman University, Ohio University, the University of Mississippi, the University of Georgia, Clemson University, the University of Tampa, Loyola University New Orleans, Sinclair Community College, The University of Alabama and SUNY Oneonta.

Applications for the 2024-2025 program year are now open. For more information applying for the next CMA EDU class, visit cma-edu.com.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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