Post Malone, Jordan Davis, More Support 15th Annual ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp

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Alex Hall and campers receiving standing ovation after Grand Ole Opry performance. Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives/Terry Wyatt

ACM Lifting Lives recently hosted its 15th Annual Music Camp with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, a week-long residential program for musically-talented individuals with Williams Syndrome.

ACM Lifting Lives funds the costs of the camp, in addition to providing scholarships to several campers, enabling the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to advance its mission of improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through research, training and service. 30 campers with Williams Syndrome from across the U.S. participated in a full slate of personalized activities.

Tiera Kennedy visiting with campers at Ocean Way Studio during the recording of “Find the Sunshine.” Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives/Terry Wyatt

The camp serves a dual purpose of studying the rare genetic condition, while also providing music enrichment through performance and education. Throughout the week, campers went behind-the-scenes in the country music community and took part in exclusive opportunities with some of Nashville’s most established musicians and rising talent, including Ross Copperman, Dasha, Jordan Davis, Russell Dickerson, Ernest, Alex Hall, Caylee Hammack, Tiera Kennedy, Post Malone, Conner Smith and more.

This year, campers began the week by co-writing a song called “Find the Sunshine” with Copperman, Dickerson and J.T. Harding. They then recorded the new tune with the help of Kennedy, Copperman and Harding at Ocean Way Nashville before wrapping their week by performing it live on the Grand Ole Opry stage alongside Alex Hall and earning a standing ovation from the crowd.

Davis joined the campers at Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where they stepped into the role of radio DJ, asking Davis curated questions that were broadcast throughout the hospital. Smith played songs and held a casual Q&A with campers at The Bluebird Cafe, and Hammack united with them for a night of karaoke at Loser’s Bar & Grill, where they were joined by surprise guests Post Malone and Ernest.

“Hosting this camp is truly the highlight of the year for everyone involved, including the campers and those volunteering and doing the research,” says Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director, and Taylor Wolf, ACM Lifting Lives Sr. Manager & Music Camp Lead. “This camp allows our partners at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to conduct important research on Williams Syndrome, all while providing campers with an experience they’ll never forget. The artists, songwriters and venues in Nashville who donate their time to this amazing summer camp are the ones who make this research and fulfilling experience for campers possible, and we thank them for their positive energy and excitement.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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