Leadership Bluegrass

IBMA's annual intensive professional development program

Collaborate. Inspire. Transform.

Each year, 25 applicants are selected to gather in Nashville, TN, for three days of panels, presentations, and teamwork to better understand the current industry landscape and foster leadership in the bluegrass community. Professionals from all aspects of the music industry are encouraged to apply.

MARCH 6 – 8, 2023
NASHVILLE, TN

Why Attend

Gain the knowledge and connections to realize your business goals and become a leader in the bluegrass music industry!

Leadership Bluegrass seeks to explore bluegrass music and its place in the larger world of entertainment through:

  • Systematic study of the business of bluegrass, and the needs, problems and resources of its institutions and organizations.
  • Exposure to a wide variety of current music leaders and notable persons.
  • Encouragement of independent thinking, fresh perspectives and approaches.
  • Acquaintance with relevant issues facing bluegrass and the IBMA, from their history to future possibilities.
  • Substantive interactive sessions for the participants.

Navigating The Digital Jungle

In place of an in-person program in 2021, we released a four-part professional development series, Navigating the Digital Jungle, hosted on Facebook Live. Each week featured professional insights on a relevant topic PLUS a performance by an international bluegrass band.

Topics:

  • The Show Must Go On: Producing Events in Uncertain Times
  • The Music Modernization Act: Where Are We Today?
  • The Business of Education: 4 Tips to Becoming More Effective & Profitable
  • The Artist’s Perspective: Sarah Jarosz (Sponsored by BMI)

Performances by Country Gongbang (Korea), The Often Herd (UK), Johnny & The Yooahoos (Germany), You, Me, Everybody (New Zealand).

WATCH NOW

Leadership Bluegrass Alumni

Launched in 2000, Leadership Bluegrass boasts over four hundred graduates who share a professional network spanning every aspect of our music industry. View Leadership Bluegrass alumni by the year they attended.

View Alumni

Leadership Bluegrass Events

The Leadership Bluegrass experience doesn’t end in March! Alumni events take place throughout the year, including two special networking events during IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, NC.

  • Leadership Bluegrass Alumni Reception/Fundraiser during IBMA World of Bluegrass
  • Leadership Bluegrass Master Class during IBMA World of Bluegrass
  • Leadership Bluegrass Retreats

Alumni will receive notification of all Leadership Bluegrass events and news via email. If you are an alumni who has not received these emails, and you wish to be added to the email list, please contact the Leadership Bluegrass staff liaison at [email protected].

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