IBMA Announces Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2026
NASHVILLE, TENN. (February 11, 2026) – The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced the 2026 class of Leadership Bluegrass, its premier professional development program designed to cultivate the next generation of industry leaders. Each year, 25 participants are selected to take part in this immersive three-day experience featuring panels, strategic discussions, and collaborative activities focused on the business of bluegrass and its place in the larger world of entertainment.
Since its founding in 2000, Leadership Bluegrass has graduated more than 500 alumni representing every sector of the industry.
“Seeing the Leadership Bluegrass participant list each year gives me real hope for the future of our industry,” said Ken White, IBMA Executive Director. “This year’s class highlights the growing global reach of bluegrass, bringing together industry professionals from Québec, British Columbia, Switzerland, Australia, and the United States. Their diverse experiences and perspectives will help guide the future of bluegrass music.”
The members of the class of 2026 are:
Chassady Abernathy – Sound Biscuit / Appalachian Road Show / ETSU (Ellijay, GA)
Evie Andrus – East Tennessee Bluegrass Association, President / University of Tennessee, Lecturer of Appalachian Music / Pellissippi State Community College, Adjunct Music Faculty / Laurel Theater, Managing Director (Knoxville, TN)
Jessica Blankenship – Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum (London, KY)
Kathryn Boucher – Spartanburg Philharmonic (Spartanburg, SC)
Madeleine Cody – The Cody Sisters (Brooklyn, NY)
Amy Sue Combs – International Bluegrass Music Association (Bowling Green, KY)
Joe Dan Cornett – North Chapel Music (White House, TN)
Gina Dilg – Square Dance Agency (Radford, VA)
Helen Foley – California Bluegrass Association (Sonoma, CA)
Tanya Guenther – NimblePie Creative Co. / NimbleFingers Bluegrass & Old-Time Workshops & Festival (Mile Ranch, British Columbia, Canada)
Byron Hill – Byron Hill Music (Franklin, TN)
Tyler Hughes – The Crooked Road (Big Stone Gap, VA)
Stephen M. Johnson – Represent / GPA Government and Public Affairs (Owensboro, KY)
Sarah W. Larsen – Black-Eyed Suzies / Little Fiddle Studio (Stevesville, MD)
Joanne Ledesma – Musicbizgal.com (Glendora, CA)
Isaac McCarthy – The Ohio State University / Bluegrass Pride (Gerrardstown, WV)
Will McSeveney – Skyline Records (Nashville, TN)
Bridget Rees – Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival (Megan, New South Wales, Australia)
Benjamin Russell – Gordon Rees / Delta Hayride Association (Nashville, TN)
Mark R. Schuster – IBMA Foundation (Langley, WA)
Elliot Siff – The Bluegrass Journeymen Academy / Elliot Siff Productions (Golden, CO)
Carly Speno – Bonfire Entertainment (Laval, Québec, Canada)
Randy Steele – tnjams.com (Chattanooga, TN)
Shelly Surdoval – The Recording Academy (Franklin, TN)
Urs-Rainer von Arx – Swiss Bluegrass Music Association / Country Ramblers (Zürich, Switzerland)
Liz Wolfe – BluegrassJamsNearMe.com (New York, NY)
2026 IBMA Leadership Bluegrass will be held March 2-4 at the Country Music Association in Nashville, Tennessee. Jeff Westerinen will serve as facilitator, with Nancy Posey as assistant facilitator.
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
