IBMA Announces Graduating Class of 2025 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass
NASHVILLE, TENN. (March 19, 2025) – The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) is proud to announce the graduating class of 2025 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass. IBMA Leadership Bluegrass is an intensive, three-day program focused on interactive learning and networking experiences that invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing the bluegrass music industry and pursue leadership development. This was the 24th year of IBMA Leadership Bluegrass, which now boasts over 500 alumni. The 2025 event was hosted at Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in Nashville, Tennessee, March 10-12. Jeff Westerinen served as the course facilitator and Maria Nadauld served as the assistant facilitator.
The IBMA also recognizes the 2025 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass Planning Committee: Greg Blake, Dustin Boyd, Casey Campbell, Stacy Chandler, Dave Howard, Jordan Laney, and IBMA Staff Liaison Haley Grimm.
Each year, participants are selected through a highly competitive application process and are a cross-section of current and future leaders from all areas of the industry, coming from various regions of the U.S. and the world. Sponsors for IBMA Leadership Bluegrass include BMI and Leadership Bluegrass Alumni.
2025 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass graduates:
Katherine Bestwick – Appalachian Fiddle & Bluegrass Association (Zion Grove, PA)
Rick Brodsky – Rock Hearts (Bridgeport, CT)
Jennifer Brooke – Floyd Music School, LLC (Floyd, VA)
Pamela Brown – Oregon Bluegrass Association / Shaniko Music Sanctuary (Shaniko, OR)
Trudy Chandler – Nick Chandler and Delivered (Weaverville, NC)
Sofia Chiarandini – Jacob’s Ladder / Tufts University (Cambridge, MA)
Elizabeth Dewey – International Bluegrass Music Association (Nashville, TN)
Darren Eedens – Taff Rapids / Self (Cardiff, Wales)
Donna Harrison – Chattanooga Tourism Co. (Chattanooga, TN)
Jenny Hirt – Durango Bluegrass Meltdown / KSUT Public Radio (Durango, CO)
Sara Johnson – Vivid Events / Pickin’ In The Peaches Music Festival (Augusta, GA)
Ella Jordan – Ella Jordan Music (Nashville, TN)
Kirk Kenney – China Bluegrass Network (Shanghai, China)
Crystal Lariza – Never Come Down (Hood River, OR)
Jon Lundbom – Central Texas Bluegrass Association (Austin, TX)
Erin Moorman – Syntax Creative (Franklin, TN)
Robbie Morris – Grasstime (Nashville, TN)
Caroline Owens – Billy Blue Records / Billy Blue Publishing (Denton, NC)
Aynsley Porchak – East Tennessee State University (Gate City, VA)
Nancy Posey – Music In Community Network (Brentwood, TN)
Joshua Rilko – Touring Musician (Nashville, TN)
Erin Rouse – Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum (Owensboro, KY)
Mona Salyer – IBMA Foundation Board (Bristol, VA)
Danny Stewart Jr. – U.S. Navy Band / Turtle Hill Banjo Co. / Annapolis Bluegrass (Edgewater, MD)
Zachary Taylor – Planning Stages Inc. (Hixson, TN)
Ross Willits – Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (Roseville, MN)
Information and applications for 2026 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass will be available at www.ibma.org/leadership-bluegrass this fall. Learn more about the International Bluegrass Music Association at ibma.org and worldofbluegrass.org.
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About the IBMA:
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) is the non-profit music association that connects, educates, and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide. The organization hosts IBMA World of Bluegrass®, an annual event featuring a business conference, showcases, awards show, and street festival highlighting the best in bluegrass talent. The event supports the IBMA and the IBMA Trust Fund. Other special IBMA initiatives include the IBMA International Band Performance Grant, Leadership Bluegrass, and Kids on Bluegrass. Learn more at ibma.org and worldofbluegrass.org.
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Press/General Info: Elizabeth Dewey, IBMA
[email protected], 615-673-4811
