The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced the 2020 class of Leadership Bluegrass, an intensive three-day program of advanced-level interactive learning experiences designed to build commitment, motivate talents, and instill enthusiasm for addressing the future of the bluegrass music industry.
Since its inception in 2000, Leadership Bluegrass boasts more than 400 graduates, and each year a small group of skilled industry professionals are invited to take part in this one-of-a-kind experience.
This year’s Leadership Bluegrass class is as strong as any I’ve seen. The large number of diverse and high-quality applicants is quite a statement about the impressive qualifications of those selected and the reputation of the program. Our association’s mission is to connect, educate, and empower bluegrass professionals, and IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass continues to be one of the most important professional development programs in the bluegrass music industry. Participation in this class and future alumni activities is an impactful commitment to one’s career, the IBMA, and the bluegrass community. Congratulations to the Class of 2020 – IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger.
The members of the class of 2020 are:
(name/affiliation/hometown)
| Jake Blount Washington, D.C. |
David Brower PineCone / WUNC Carrboro, NC |
| Thomas Cassell Circus No. 9 Johnson City, TN |
Ethan Charles International Bluegrass Music Association Nashville, TN |
| Jennifer Danielson Pandora Nashville, TN |
Worth Dixon D’Addario & Company, Inc. Farmingdale, NY |
| Rick Faris Special Consensus Topeka, KA |
Rebecca Frazier Rebecca Frazier and Hit & Run Nashville, TN |
| Greg Garrison Leftover Salmon / University of Colorado – Denver Lakewood, CO |
Dave Howard Louisville Folk School Louisville, KY |
| Fred Knittel Smithsonian Folkways Recordings Washington, D.C. |
Marianne Kovatch Blue Ridge Music Center Winton-Salem, NC |
| Evie Ladin Evie Ladin Band Oakland, CA |
Michelle Lee WOBL / Bluegrass Borderline / Smoked Country Jam Sheffield Lake, OH |
| Ed Leonard Billy Blue Records Hendersonville, TN |
Ned Luberecki Becky Buller Band / SiriusXM Nashville, TN |
| Didier Philippe La Roche Bluegrass Festival Etaux, France |
Lauren Price Napier The Price Sisters Hyden, KY |
| Angela Sommers Rees Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival Dorrigo, NSW, Australia |
Brian Swenk Big Daddy Love / Midwood Entertainment Glen Allen, VA |
| Abi Tapia Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Nashville, TN |
Suzy Thompson Berkeley Old Time Music Convention Berkeley, CA |
| Amanda Thompson Frankfort Bluegrass Festival Mokena, IL |
Roxanne Tromly Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum / ROMP Fest Owensboro, KY |
| Natalya Weinstein Miller Zoe & Cloyd / Warren Wilson College Fairview, NC |
Benjamin Wright Henhouse Prowlers / Bluegrass Ambassadors Chicago, IL |
Leadership Bluegrass 2020 will take place from 2nd to 4th March, at BMI in Nashville. The course will be facilitated by Kathy Hanson and is made possible through the generous support of its Platinum Sponsors: BMI and Williams Mullen.
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