ArtistDirect News
Concord Expands Scholarship Program at Stax Music Academy, Supporting 100 Students
When Concord Music Group announced on August 10 that it had poured more than $1.3 million into Stax Music Academy (SMA), the ripple was felt across South Memphis. The company’s investment surpassed the original five‑year pledge of $1 million, signaling a deepening partnership that began in 2021.
SMA, located on the historic Stax Records site, has long served under‑resourced students with after‑school and summer programs that blend music theory, performance, composition, and business. Concord’s expanded contribution now funds scholarships, industry‑grade resources, and mentorship opportunities for 100 students who have already benefited from the program.
By the start of 2026, Concord had awarded 100 scholarships, a milestone that underscores the program’s reach. The Academy’s 100 % college acceptance rate—an outcome the partnership cites as proof of its effectiveness—has become a hallmark of SMA’s success.
Kiyah Watson, a senior at SMA, is one of the scholarship recipients. Watson will begin a music‑education major at a university this fall and credits the Concord‑funded scholarship for allowing her to finish her senior year without financial burden. She also expressed a desire to give back to future generations of music students.
Concord’s support extends beyond tuition. The company has opened doors to the industry for SMA students. Staff, artists, and songwriters from Concord—including producer Noah Goldstein and songwriter Varren Wade—have led online masterclasses and in‑person workshops. These sessions expose students to professional practices and networking opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
In the press release, Concord CEO Bob Valentine said the five‑year milestone was “deeply meaningful to all of us at Concord.” He added that the company has pledged an additional year of support, underscoring its belief in the Academy’s mission and the students it serves.
Deanie Parker, the founding CEO of the Soulsville Foundation and former Stax Records employee, also commented. She said Concord’s investment is “not just financial; it’s personal, consistent, and rooted in belief.” Parker highlighted the Academy’s 100 % college acceptance rate and the success of students like Watson as evidence of the partnership’s impact.
SMA’s curriculum requires students to participate in moderated juries that test both performance skills and theoretical knowledge. The Academy’s location on the former Stax Records site ties its educational mission to the legacy of Memphis soul, a lineage that began with the label’s founding in 1957.
The partnership’s benefits reach alumni who have pursued careers in the music industry and beyond. Graduates have toured with major artists, worked in music production, and entered fields such as healthcare and education.
By extending Concord’s support into 2027, the company signals a continued commitment to the Academy’s students and to the broader Stax Records legacy. The partnership exemplifies how industry resources can be leveraged to create sustainable educational opportunities for young musicians.
In summary, Concord’s expanded scholarship program at Stax Music Academy has provided financial aid, industry mentorship, and a proven track record of college placement for 100 students. The partnership demonstrates a tangible model for supporting music education in underserved communities.
SMA, located on the historic Stax Records site, has long served under‑resourced students with after‑school and summer programs that blend music theory, performance, composition, and business. Concord’s expanded contribution now funds scholarships, industry‑grade resources, and mentorship opportunities for 100 students who have already benefited from the program.
By the start of 2026, Concord had awarded 100 scholarships, a milestone that underscores the program’s reach. The Academy’s 100 % college acceptance rate—an outcome the partnership cites as proof of its effectiveness—has become a hallmark of SMA’s success.
Kiyah Watson, a senior at SMA, is one of the scholarship recipients. Watson will begin a music‑education major at a university this fall and credits the Concord‑funded scholarship for allowing her to finish her senior year without financial burden. She also expressed a desire to give back to future generations of music students.
Concord’s support extends beyond tuition. The company has opened doors to the industry for SMA students. Staff, artists, and songwriters from Concord—including producer Noah Goldstein and songwriter Varren Wade—have led online masterclasses and in‑person workshops. These sessions expose students to professional practices and networking opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
In the press release, Concord CEO Bob Valentine said the five‑year milestone was “deeply meaningful to all of us at Concord.” He added that the company has pledged an additional year of support, underscoring its belief in the Academy’s mission and the students it serves.
Deanie Parker, the founding CEO of the Soulsville Foundation and former Stax Records employee, also commented. She said Concord’s investment is “not just financial; it’s personal, consistent, and rooted in belief.” Parker highlighted the Academy’s 100 % college acceptance rate and the success of students like Watson as evidence of the partnership’s impact.
SMA’s curriculum requires students to participate in moderated juries that test both performance skills and theoretical knowledge. The Academy’s location on the former Stax Records site ties its educational mission to the legacy of Memphis soul, a lineage that began with the label’s founding in 1957.
The partnership’s benefits reach alumni who have pursued careers in the music industry and beyond. Graduates have toured with major artists, worked in music production, and entered fields such as healthcare and education.
By extending Concord’s support into 2027, the company signals a continued commitment to the Academy’s students and to the broader Stax Records legacy. The partnership exemplifies how industry resources can be leveraged to create sustainable educational opportunities for young musicians.
In summary, Concord’s expanded scholarship program at Stax Music Academy has provided financial aid, industry mentorship, and a proven track record of college placement for 100 students. The partnership demonstrates a tangible model for supporting music education in underserved communities.