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CMA EDU 2026 Summit in Nashville Brings 34 Students from 24 Universities to 13th Annual Leadership Program
The Country Music Association (CMA) convened its 13th annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit in Nashville from July 20 to July 22, 2026, drawing 34 students from 24 universities nationwide to its headquarters and a roster of city venues.
CMA EDU is a year‑long professional‑development program that blends classroom instruction with hands‑on learning, industry networking, and mentorship. The curriculum is available remotely, allowing participants to join from any location, and has historically achieved a 91 % job‑placement rate upon graduation.
Monday opened with a warm welcome from CMA EDU alumni Kate Watson, senior director of industry relations, and Grace Martins, manager of industry relations. They introduced the program and led the cohort on a behind‑the‑scenes tour of Rock Nashville.
Tuesday’s agenda began with remarks from Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO, and a session led by senior vice president Tiffany Kerns, industry relations & philanthropy. Kerns emphasized that CMA EDU “is one of the most meaningful ways we invest in the long‑term strength of the Country Music industry.” She noted that the program’s vision—to bring students and professionals together—has grown to hundreds of alumni now working throughout the music business.
The day also featured a panel with country star HARDY and his management team. Troy “Tracker” Johnson, founder and artist manager of TRACK mgmt; Taylor Watson, tour manager; and Marisa Mineo, head of tour marketing at The Neal Agency, discussed how management, touring, and marketing collaborate to support an artist’s career. Madi White, CMA manager of integrated marketing, moderated the session.
Later, Sandbox Entertainment hosted a management panel with Madison Moll, digital manager; Lucia Kaminsky, president; and Keith Bunn, digital director. Jordan Maynard, CMA coordinator of marketing, moderated. Students also heard from CMA EDU alumni working in various sectors: Jackson Kiger, A&R manager at Sony Music Publishing; Claire Martin, agent assistant at THE TEAM; and Landon Collins, A&R analytics manager at MCA. The day closed with a writers’ round featuring Gloria Anderson, Caleb Mitchell, and Braydon Watts.
Wednesday’s keynote conversation was led by Troy Tomlinson, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville. Following the keynote, students participated in professional‑development activities, including headshots, a Q&A with Tiffany Kerns, and one‑on‑one conversations with Kate Watson and Grace Martins.
The summit concluded with a “Live at CMA” session. Rising artist Stella Lefty performed, and the conversation was moderated by CMA EDU student Jade Blatter.
Applications for the 2027‑2028 class open on August 4. More information is available on the CMA EDU website.
The 13th summit continues CMA’s tradition of supporting emerging industry professionals. By combining classroom learning with real‑world exposure, the program aims to equip students with the knowledge, connections, and confidence needed to launch careers in the country music business.
The event also highlighted the breadth of CMA EDU’s alumni network. Graduates now occupy roles in publishing, touring, marketing, and A&R across major labels and agencies. The summit’s structure—mixing executive talks, artist panels, and hands‑on workshops—provides a comprehensive view of the industry’s many moving parts.
Overall, the 2026 CMA EDU Leadership Summit reinforced the association’s commitment to developing the next generation of country music leaders. The program’s remote‑friendly format and strong alumni network position it as a key resource for students seeking entry into the industry.
CMA EDU is a year‑long professional‑development program that blends classroom instruction with hands‑on learning, industry networking, and mentorship. The curriculum is available remotely, allowing participants to join from any location, and has historically achieved a 91 % job‑placement rate upon graduation.
Monday opened with a warm welcome from CMA EDU alumni Kate Watson, senior director of industry relations, and Grace Martins, manager of industry relations. They introduced the program and led the cohort on a behind‑the‑scenes tour of Rock Nashville.
Tuesday’s agenda began with remarks from Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO, and a session led by senior vice president Tiffany Kerns, industry relations & philanthropy. Kerns emphasized that CMA EDU “is one of the most meaningful ways we invest in the long‑term strength of the Country Music industry.” She noted that the program’s vision—to bring students and professionals together—has grown to hundreds of alumni now working throughout the music business.
The day also featured a panel with country star HARDY and his management team. Troy “Tracker” Johnson, founder and artist manager of TRACK mgmt; Taylor Watson, tour manager; and Marisa Mineo, head of tour marketing at The Neal Agency, discussed how management, touring, and marketing collaborate to support an artist’s career. Madi White, CMA manager of integrated marketing, moderated the session.
Later, Sandbox Entertainment hosted a management panel with Madison Moll, digital manager; Lucia Kaminsky, president; and Keith Bunn, digital director. Jordan Maynard, CMA coordinator of marketing, moderated. Students also heard from CMA EDU alumni working in various sectors: Jackson Kiger, A&R manager at Sony Music Publishing; Claire Martin, agent assistant at THE TEAM; and Landon Collins, A&R analytics manager at MCA. The day closed with a writers’ round featuring Gloria Anderson, Caleb Mitchell, and Braydon Watts.
Wednesday’s keynote conversation was led by Troy Tomlinson, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville. Following the keynote, students participated in professional‑development activities, including headshots, a Q&A with Tiffany Kerns, and one‑on‑one conversations with Kate Watson and Grace Martins.
The summit concluded with a “Live at CMA” session. Rising artist Stella Lefty performed, and the conversation was moderated by CMA EDU student Jade Blatter.
Applications for the 2027‑2028 class open on August 4. More information is available on the CMA EDU website.
The 13th summit continues CMA’s tradition of supporting emerging industry professionals. By combining classroom learning with real‑world exposure, the program aims to equip students with the knowledge, connections, and confidence needed to launch careers in the country music business.
The event also highlighted the breadth of CMA EDU’s alumni network. Graduates now occupy roles in publishing, touring, marketing, and A&R across major labels and agencies. The summit’s structure—mixing executive talks, artist panels, and hands‑on workshops—provides a comprehensive view of the industry’s many moving parts.
Overall, the 2026 CMA EDU Leadership Summit reinforced the association’s commitment to developing the next generation of country music leaders. The program’s remote‑friendly format and strong alumni network position it as a key resource for students seeking entry into the industry.