ACM Lifting Lives Hosts 16th Annual Music Camp

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ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp. Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives®/Terry Wyatt

ACM Lifting Lives recently hosted its 16th Annual ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp, held in collaboration with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.

The week-long residential program is designed for musically talented individuals with Williams syndrome, offering enriching musical experiences while also contributing to ongoing research on the rare genetic condition. Artists who joined the campers throughout the week include Roman Alexander, Priscilla Block, Tyler Braden, Ross Copperman, Jackson Dean, Dalton Dover, JT Harding, Bryce Leatherwood, Parmalee, Emily Ann Roberts and Lauren Watkins.

Campers teamed up with Ross Copperman, Dalton Dover and JT Harding (center) to co-write “Our Best Year Yet” inspired by Opry’s 100th Anniversary. Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives®/Terry Wyatt

27 campers with Williams syndrome from across the U.S. and Canada came together to take part in a customized lineup of activities, starting with the writing of an original song with some top writers, and culminating with a live performance of the song on the Grand Ole Opry stage in front of a packed Opry House audience.

The week kicked off with campers teaming with Ross Copperman (marking his 12th year participating in the camp), Dalton Dover and JT Harding to co-write “Our Best Year Yet” inspired by Opry’s 100th Anniversary. Later in the week, they joined Lauren Watkins to bring the song to life, recording it at Ocean Way Studios before culminating in a standing-ovation performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage alongside Jackson Dean.

Parmalee met campers at Gold Pacific Studio to share some studio 101 and record vocals on existing tracks. Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives®/Terry Wyatt

Campers got an inside look at the Nashville music industry through exclusive experiences as Bryce Leatherwood welcomed them to the Bluebird Cafe for a special performance and Q&A, while Parmalee met them at Gold Pacific Studio to share some studio 101 and record vocals on existing tracks. Emily Ann Roberts joined the campers at Seacrest Studios at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, where they stepped into the role of radio DJs, asking questions and sharing their voices over the hospital’s internal airwaves. Tyler Braden also surprised campers for karaoke at Riley Green’s Duck Blind, and Roman Alexander and Priscilla Block joined the group for an outing to Topgolf, adding to a week full of connection and lasting memories.

“ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp is a tangible reminder of how unifying, inspiring, and meaningful music is,” shares Taylor Wolf, Director, ACM Lifting Lives. “The campers’ song ‘Our Best Year Yet’ was written in homage to Opry100, and also speaks to the universal feelings of love, singing together, friendship, and how music makes us feel. Thank you to all the artists, venues, partners and supportive teams that made this week possible. We hope you, too, felt the energy and celebration of our best year yet.”

The camp is fully funded by ACM Lifting Lives, in addition to providing scholarships to several campers. These efforts directly support the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through research, education and community outreach.

Lauren Watkins with campers at Ocean Way Studios to record their original song. Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives®/Terry Wyatt

Bryce Leatherwood welcomed campers to the legendary Bluebird Cafe for a special performance and Q&A. Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives®/Terry Wyatt

Tyler Braden surprised campers for lively karaoke at Riley Green’s Duck Blind. Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives®/Terry Wyatt

Priscilla Block with campers at the Top Golf. Photo: Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives®/Terry Wyatt

Lorie Hollabaugh
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