NASHVILLE, TENN. (August 29, 2022) – The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced the 2023 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.
The members of the 2023 class were selected through the 2022 selection process. The decision was made earlier this year to postpone the 2022 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass program and class until March 6-8, 2023, after considering the logistics of ensuring a successful Leadership Bluegrass program, the well-being of the class members, and the quality of the in-person program. All accepted 2022 class members were given a guaranteed spot in the 2023 class, therefore there will be no new application and selection process this fall.
Since its inception in 2000, Leadership Bluegrass boasts more than 500 graduates, and each year a small group of skilled industry professionals are invited to take part in this one-of-a-kind experience. Leadership Bluegrass is 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. Each year, 25 applicants from around the world are selected to participate in the class, which is held in Nashville.
“The 2023 Leadership Bluegrass class is a testament to the strength and rich talent present today in bluegrass.” says IBMA Executive Director Pat Morris. “IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass continues to be one of the most important professional development programs in the bluegrass music industry. Participation in the class and future alumni activities is important to the careers of those selected, the IBMA, and the bluegrass community. Congratulations to the Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2023!”
“We are excited to finally announce the participants in our 2023 Leadership Bluegrass Class. We took time in 2022 to further develop and enhance our existing program, and look forward to welcoming the 2023 class next March,” said Dustin Boyd, chair of IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass Planning Committee.
The members of the class of 2023 are:
Amy Alvey
Golden Shoals / Radio Host WMOT
Madison, TN
Marcia Campbell
Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers
Nashville, TN
Hasee Ciaccio
Sister Sadie / Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands
Cove Creek, NC
Kristy Cox
Kristy Cox Band
Hendersonville, TN
Laura Crawford
Recording Academy
Nashville, TN
Guido de Groot
Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Jonathan Een Newton
Free Dirt Records
Brentwood, MD
Frank Evans
The Slocan Ramblers
Madison, TN
Dave Gooding
California Bluegrass Association
Vacaville, CA
Christopher Howard-Williams
Bluegrass in La Roche
La Roche, France
Alex Lacquement
Charm City Junction
Baltimore, MD
Dylan Locke
Floyd Country Store / Handmade Music School / County Sales
Floyd, VA
Sarah McCombie
Chatham Rabbits
Greensboro, NC
Saravanan “Sav” Sankaran
Unspoken Tradition
Alexander, NC
Austin Scelzo
Rock Hearts/CT Bluegrass Association
Danbury, CT
Jake Schepps
Round Window Institute (Banjo Summit)
Burlington, VT
Marianne See
Anchorage Folk Festival
Anchorage, AK
Mike Simpson
International Bluegrass Music Association
Bowling Green, KY
Kevin Slick
Colorado Bluegrass Music Society
Louisville, CO
Gieselle Tambe-Ebot
Jam Pak Band
Chandler, AZ
Cody Tinnin
Stillhouse Junkies
Durango, CO
Brandi Waller-Pace
Decolonizing the Music Room
Forth Worth, TX
Tray Wellington
Tray Wellington Band
Raleigh, NC
Kalia Yeagle
East Tennessee State University / Bill and the Belles
Johnson City, TN
Sami Braman
The Onlies
Nashville, TN
For more information, contact Pat Morris at IBMA via email at [email protected] or 615.256.3222.
