The CMA has announced the 2026 class of CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence, honoring 30 extraordinary educators across 12 states who are using the power of music to transform lives.

Presented through CMA’s philanthropic arm the CMA Foundation, Music Teachers of Excellence shines a national spotlight on the teachers building stronger, more well-rounded young people every day. Now in its landmark 10th year, the program has now recognized more than 200 educators, with its legacy defined not by a single moment of recognition, but by the lasting impact those teachers have had on the students and communities they serve.

“Ten years ago, we made a promise to the educators who dedicate their lives to music education: we see you, and we’re with you,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director. “Music Teachers of Excellence was built on the belief that our industry has a responsibility to invest in the people building the pipeline of music lovers, artists, and fans for generations to come. This milestone year isn’t just a celebration of these 30 remarkable educators. It’s a celebration of the legacy we have built together, and a reminder of how much more we can do when the music industry unites around a shared cause.”

The 2026 class will be celebrated at a red carpet gala on Oct. 7 at The Pinnacle in Nashville, bringing together teachers, artists, community leaders, and industry professionals to honor the educators whose work will define the legacy of music education for decades to come. Honorees are also invited to participate in a year of professional development and engagement with CMA’s broader industry network, including curated experiences at CMA events that provide behind-the-scenes access to the business of country music.

To further elevate the event, CMA has again assembled a Music Teachers of Excellence Planning Committee, comprised of leaders from across the music industry and beyond. Planning Committee members include Sloane Cavitt Logue (WME), Jackie Augustus (Spotify), Rachel Brittain (CAA), Beth Carter (CNN), Hayley Corbett (Artist Manager), Sarah DeMarco, Sara Foster (TV and Live Event Producer), JoJamie Hahr (BMG), Olivia Hanceri (OH Creative), Halie Hampton Mosley (WHY&HOW), Lucia Kaminsky (Sandbox Entertainment), Rakiyah Marshall England (Back Blocks Music), Morgan Mills (CMDSHFT), Marcel Pariseau (True Public Relations), Jake Roggenbuck, Chandler Sherrill (Electric Feel), Mark Thomas (Propeller), and Hannah Wilson (MCA).

The 2026 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence:

Midwest:
David Hutter, Maine South High School, Park Ridge, IL

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic:
Kyle Cook, Western Branch Middle School, Chesapeake, VA
Ryan Mack, P.S. 10 Magnet School of Math, Science, & Design Technology, Brooklyn, NY
Kevin McDonald, Wellesley High School, Wellesley, MA
Alice Tsui, New Bridges Elementary School, Brooklyn, NY

Southeast:
Lucy Alegria, Gallatin High School, Gallatin, TN
Michael Aymett, Riverdale High School, Murfreesboro, TN
Trevor Baxter, Centennial High School, Franklin, TN
Melissa Blizzard, Stevens Creek Elementary School, Martinez, GA
Johnny Croft, Cane Ridge High School, Antioch, TN
Julia Culp, Freedom Middle School, Franklin, TN
Elmer Feliciano, McMurray Middle School, Nashville, TN
Aurora Foster, Woodland Middle School, Brentwood, TN
Darlene Grande, Stonewyck Elementary School, Orlando, FL
Sherie Grossman, James Lawson High School, Nashville, TN
Tony Hartman, Scales Elementary School, Murfreesboro, TN
Kinsey Healy, Houston High School, Germantown, TN
Samuel Holmes, Garden Hills Elementary School, Atlanta, GA
Allen Kennedy, Hume-Fogg Academic High School, Nashville, TN
Taylor Kollmeier, Page High School, Franklin, TN
Ashleigh Ledford, Sterling School, Greenville, SC
Ollie Liddell, Memphis Central High School, Memphis, TN
Nathaniel O’Neal, DuPont Hadley Middle School, Old Hickory, TN
Michael Perryman, Ooltewah Elementary School, Ooltewah, TN

Southwest:
Efrain Casillas, Desert Oasis Elementary School and Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School, Phoenix, AZ
Corey Graves, Themer Middle School, Forney, TX

West:
Grace Kwon, Stoddard Elementary School, Anaheim, CA
Darlene Machacon, La Quinta High School, Westminster, CA
Henry Miller, Sierra Vista Middle School, Irvine, CA
Kimberly Ritzer, Green Valley High School, Henderson, NV

Jackie Martínez Marushka.

The Hispanic Entertainment Alliance, founded by entertainment PR strategist Jackie Martínez Marushka, has launched the Hispanic Entertainment Alliance Charitable Fund, a 501(c)(3).

“Just before I moved to Nashville from New Mexico in 1995, my mother locked eyes with me and said, ‘No te olvides tu cultura’ which translates to ‘Don’t forget your culture’ — I didn’t forget and it’s her statement that drives me daily,” says Marushka.

Marushka founded the Hispanic Entertainment Alliance in 2019, and the organization supports the Hispanic and Latin American creative community in arenas of the entertainment industry including film, photography, fashion, acting, writing, music, and support teams made up of managers, publicists, graphic designers, venues, venue bookers, touring staff and business managers.

The fund will spotlight the Americana Music Foundation, Break Thru TN, Compassion Through Action, Country Latin Hispanic Family Foundation, MusiCares, Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, NMAAM, Origins Music Impact, Whippoorwill Arts and more.

“Jackie is truly part of our Foundation family and supporting her philanthropic vision through the Hispanic Entertainment Alliance Charitable Fund is an honor. Amplifying these outstanding nonprofit partners reflects the kind of impact we strive to make,” says Rondal Richardson, Director of Entertainment Philanthropy at Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

More information about the fund can be found here.

ECCHO Live, a nonprofit serving touring, production and live entertainment professionals nationwide, is expanding its mental health resources by bringing care directly into workplaces, campuses and industry spaces throughout May.

ECCHO Live will host a series of in-person and virtual touchpoints. Programming includes workplace lunch and learn sessions with PRG and MooTV, a collaborative webinar with Rock Lititz and Rock Nashville, and a multi-day All Access On Site (AAOS) mental health activation at the Rock Nashville campus.

They will also host a Day Off community event with VIP Nation at Live Nation in Nashville as part of their ongoing series to create space for connection, conversation, and shared insight across the live events industry. Community events are open to industry professionals.

“For too long, care in this industry has lived off-site, off-hours, and often too late,” says Chris Lisle, Executive Director of ECCHO Live. “We’re working to change that by making resources more visible, more accessible, and more integrated into the environments where people are actually doing the work.”

Since the start of this year, ECCHO Live has facilitated more All Access sessions than the organization held during its first five years combined. Through All Access programming, the organization provides up to four free, confidential annual sessions focused on mental health counseling and financial wellness.

Kane Brown.

Kane Brown has partnered with hospitality company Elia Group to open a new bar, restaurant and live music venue, Kane Brown’s On Broadway.

Located in Nashville’s Lower Broadway district at 312 Broadway, the new venue will open at 10 a.m. CT on May 22 and feature surprise appearances from Brown throughout the weekend. The new 11,400 foot venue features four levels with a main floor, anchored by a full-scale stage framed by exposed brick and steel-and-glass elements.

A mezzanine level overlooks the stage, with bar service and seating,. The third floor features rich walnut paneling, Platinum records and curated artwork. The rooftop crowns the venue with views of the Nashville skyline.

“Opening Kane Brown’s on Broadway is about creating somewhere everyone can come together, celebrate and just have a great night out in Nashville,” says Brown. “I wanted it to reflect my journey in Nashville and feel a little different from what you usually find on Broadway. It’s the kind of place where you might run into familiar faces and make memories along the way, whether it’s your first time in town or your hundredth night out. I’ll be stopping by throughout the opening weekend for a few surprise visits and can’t wait to celebrate together with friends and family.”

In recognition of Memorial Day weekend, Kane Brown’s On Broadway will partner with Folds of Honor, a non-profit that provides educational scholarships to the children and spouses of America’s fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 scholarships totaling over $340 million across all 50 states.

“We’re honored to partner with Kane and the Elia team for the grand opening of their exciting new venture in downtown Nashville,” says Jenner Kreifels, Director of Impact, Folds of Honor Tennessee Chapter. “Our growth in the community is rooted in the entertainment industry, and we’re incredibly grateful for artists like Kane who embrace the Folds of Honor mission of education and help support so many deserving military and first responder families.”

“We’re proud to support Folds of Honor during opening weekend and give back to military families nationwide this Memorial Day, extending the celebration beyond entertainment to help advance their mission,” says founder and CEO of Elia Group, Zaid Elia. “Launching Kane Brown’s On Broadway is an exceptional milestone for our Elia team, and it’s been a privilege partnering with Kane, who brings both artistry and authenticity to everything he does. Our shared vision has been to create a welcoming space that delivers an unforgettable, celebrity-level experience while offering something distinctly unique from the traditional Broadway model.”