The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced the 2019 class of Leadership Bluegrass, an intensive three-day program of advanced-level interactive learning experiences designed to build commitment, motivate talents, and instil enthusiasm for addressing the future of the bluegrass music industry. This will be its 20th year since its inception in 2000.
Leadership Bluegrass boasts more than 400 graduates, and each year 25 individuals are invited to take part.
“Leadership Bluegrass has become one of the most impactful programs in the bluegrass music industry to connect and develop professionals who have made a strong commitment to advance both their careers and the ongoing efforts of the IBMA,” says IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “This year’s class has an impressive collective resumé and demonstrated ability to lead across a broad cross-section of our music. Congratulations to the Class of 2019 for being selected out of such a strong group of candidates.
The members of the class of 2019 are:
| Anni Beach | Jam Park ‘n’ Blues Neighbourhood Band | Chandler AZ |
| David Benedict | Mile Twelve | Cambridge, MA |
| Andrea Berman | Pacific Pickin’, CiTR (101.9 FM) | West Vancouver, BC |
| Sam Blumenthal | Charlotte, NC | |
| Philip Chorney | Charm City Bluegrass / Baltimore Management Agency | Rosedale, MD |
| Michelle Conceison | Market Monkeys | Nashville, TN |
| Deborah Fillman | Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum | Owensboro, KY |
| Sophie Galep | Minnesota Bluegrass | Elizabethton, TN |
| Michele Gourley | Durham, NC | |
| Philip Graham | Ear Trumpet Labs | Portland, OR |
| Rick Greene | SamJam Bluegrass Festival | Waverly, OH |
| Katie Hogue | John Hartford Enterprises | Nashville, TN |
| John Lowell | John Lowell Music | Livingston, MT |
| Alex Mallett | Folk Alliance International | Kansas City, MO |
| Mary Beth Martin | Earl Scruggs Center | Shelby, NC |
| Jana Mougin | Dark Shadow Recording | Goodlettsville, TN |
| Kali Nowakowski | Straight Up Strings | Atascadero, CA |
| Forrest O’Connor | The O’Connor Band / Kate Lee & Forrest O’Connor | Nashville, TN |
| Thomas Pritchard | Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance | East Greenwich, RI |
| Gregory Reish | MTSU Center for Popular Music | Murfreesboro, TN |
| Kim Robins | Kim Robins and 40 Years Late | Worthington, IN |
| Matt Royles | Man About a Horse / Philly Bluegrass | Philadelphia, PA |
| John Strohm | Rounder Records | Nashville, TN |
| Maria Wallace | True North Music | Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK |
| Melanie Wilson | Wilson Pickins Promotions | Westminster, SC |
Leadership Bluegrass 2019 takes place from the 4th to 6th March at BMI in Nashville. The course will be facilitated by Trisha Tubbs for the eighth consecutive year. Leadership Bluegrass is made possible through the generous support of its Platinum Sponsors: BMI, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, Williams Mullen, and the Wintergrass Music Festival (Acoustic Sound).
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