IBMA Announces Leadership Bluegrass Class Of 2026

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the 2026 class of Leadership Bluegrass, the professional development program designed to cultivate the next generation of industry leaders.

Each year, 25 participants are selected to take part in the immersive three-day experience featuring panels, strategic discussions and collaborative activities focused on the business of bluegrass and its place in the larger world of entertainment. Since its founding in 2000, Leadership Bluegrass has graduated more than 500 alumni representing every sector of the industry.

“Seeing the Leadership Bluegrass participant list each year gives me real hope for the future of our industry,” says Ken White, IBMA Executive Director. “This year’s class highlights the growing global reach of bluegrass, bringing together industry professionals from Québec, British Columbia, Switzerland, Australia, and the United States. Their diverse experiences and perspectives will help guide the future of bluegrass music.”

The Leadership Bluegrass Class Of 2026:

Chassady Abernathy – Sound Biscuit / Appalachian Road Show / ETSU (Ellijay, GA)
Evie Andrus – East Tennessee Bluegrass Association, President / University of Tennessee, Lecturer of Appalachian Music / Pellissippi State Community College, Adjunct Music Faculty / Laurel Theater, Managing Director (Knoxville, TN)
Jessica Blankenship – Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum (London, KY)
Kathryn Boucher – Spartanburg Philharmonic (Spartanburg, SC)
Madeleine Cody – The Cody Sisters (Brooklyn, NY)Amy Sue Combs – International Bluegrass Music Association (Bowling Green, KY)
Joe Dan Cornett – North Chapel Music (White House, TN)
Gina Dilg – Square Dance Agency (Radford, VA)
Helen Foley – California Bluegrass Association (Sonoma, CA)
Tanya Guenther – NimblePie Creative Co. / NimbleFingers Bluegrass & Old-Time Workshops & Festival (Mile Ranch, British Columbia, Canada)
Byron Hill – Byron Hill Music (Franklin, TN)
Tyler Hughes – The Crooked Road (Big Stone Gap, VA)
Stephen M. Johnson – Represent / GPA Government and Public Affairs (Owensboro, KY)
Sarah W. Larsen – Black-Eyed Suzies / Little Fiddle Studio (Stevesville, MD)
Joanne Ledesma – Musicbizgal.com (Glendora, CA)
Isaac McCarthy – The Ohio State University / Bluegrass Pride (Gerrardstown, WV)
Will McSeveney – Skyline Records (Nashville, TN)
Bridget Rees – Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival (Megan, New South Wales, Australia)
Benjamin Russell – Gordon Rees / Delta Hayride Association (Nashville, TN)
Mark R. Schuster – IBMA Foundation (Langley, WA)
Elliot Siff – The Bluegrass Journeymen Academy / Elliot Siff Productions (Golden, CO)
Carly Speno – Bonfire Entertainment (Laval, Québec, Canada)
Randy Steele – tnjams.com (Chattanooga, TN)
Shelly Surdoval – The Recording Academy (Franklin, TN)
Urs-Rainer von Arx – Swiss Bluegrass Music Association / Country Ramblers (Zürich, Switzerland)
Liz Wolfe – BluegrassJamsNearMe.com (New York, NY)

2026 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass will be held March 2-4 at the Country Music Association in Nashville. Jeff Westerinen will serve as facilitator, with Nancy Posey as assistant facilitator.