AUDION Foundation Launches Inaugural Creative Mentorship Program

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The AUDION Foundation, a new nonprofit dedicated to supporting Nashville’s emerging creative community, has announced a list of industry professionals who will serve as mentors in its inaugural Creative Mentorship Program.

AUDION’s Founding Mentor Class has earned Grammy awards and nominations, RIAA Diamond Certifications, CMA, ACM, BMI, and SESAC Song of the Year honors, SESAC Songwriter of the Year nods, CMA’s Triple Play Awards, BMI Millionaire Awards, BMI Multi-Platinum awards, Golden Globe and CMT Award nominations, and Dove Awards. Their work encompasses more than 30 No. 1 songs, and inclusion in countless films, thousands of TV episodes and commercials, millions of records and video games sold worldwide, and billions of streams.

“Every successful creative can point to someone who reached back to pull them forward at a pivotal moment in their journey – someone who changed the trajectory of their career,” says Zac Koffler, president of the AUDION Foundation. “This program exists to create more of those moments. Nashville has long been defined by creatives supporting other creatives and industry leaders elevating up-and-comers, and we are honored to continue that tradition in a highly intentional and impactful way. Every mentor participating in this program understands a simple truth: careers are often shaped by people willing to believe in you before the rest of the world does. Together, they represent the creative heartbeat of Music City.”

Spearheaded by AUDION Foundation Team Members Koffler, Martha Kenny, James Dail and Max Abrams, the Creative Mentorship Program is designed to meet creatives wherever they are in their own journeys and amplify their efforts through unique mentorship opportunities such as co-writes, creative collaborations, career conversations, and real-world industry opportunities. The program will launch later this year with an inaugural cohort of 10 selected mentees who will each collaborate with up to six mentors. The number of program participants will grow in future years.

Applications for AUDION’s Creative Mentorship Program are available now. Participation is free, and applicants must be 18 years of age or older and reside within 30 miles of Nashville.

The 2026 AUDION Founding Mentor Class:
Anna Wilson – Artist, Songwriter
Anthony L. Smith – Songwriter, Producer, Publisher, Manager
Austin Nivarel – Songwriter, Producer, Multi-Instrumentalist
Belles – Artist, Songwriter
Derek George – Songwriter, Producer, Musician, Publisher
Dwayne Wright – Songwriter, Producer, Musician, MD
Emily West – Artist, Songwriter
Gabe Lee – Artist, Songwriter
Gina Waters Miller – Music & Leadership Strategist, Talent Manager
Greg Camp – Artist, Songwriter, Composer, Producer
Greg Lucid – President, Lucid Creative Services
Haley Teske – Booking Agent
Heather Morgan – Songwriter
Jake Hoot – Artist, Songwriter
James Marsh Jr. – Director of Radio Accounts, Warner Records Nashville
James Otto – Artist, Songwriter
Jamie Moore – Songwriter, Producer
Jeff Cohen – Songwriter
JoJamie Harr – EVP, Recorded Music, BMG
Lance Alleman – Booking Agent
Madeline Edwards – Artist, Songwriter
Mike Reynolds – Artist & Label Management, MNJR
Monty Powell – Songwriter, Producer
Norman Jacob – Artist & Label Management, MNJR
Phil Hughley – Producer, Songwriter, Artist
Rachel Whitney – Streaming Executive
Rudy Newman – Artist & Label Management, MNJR
Tammi Kidd – Songwriter
Wendy Moten – Artist, Vocalist
Wil Merrell – Artist, Vocalist, ‘Artistpreneur’

Lorie Hollabaugh
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