NASHVILLE, TENN. (December 19, 2018) – The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced the 2019 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. This will be its 20th year since its inception in 2000.
Leadership Bluegrass boasts more than 400 graduates, and each year 25 individuals are invited to take part.
“Leadership Bluegrass has become one of the most impactful programs in the bluegrass music industry to connect and develop professionals who have made a strong commitment to advance both their careers and the ongoing efforts of the IBMA,” says IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “This year’s class has an impressive collective resumé and demonstrated ability to lead across a broad cross-section of our music. Congratulations to the Class of 2019 for being selected out of such a strong group of candidates!”
The members of the class of 2019 are: (name/affiliation/hometown)
Anni Beach
Jam Pak Blues ‘N’ Grass Neighborhood Band
Chandler, AZ
David Benedict
Mile Twelve
Cambridge, MA
Andrea Berman
Pacific Pickin’, CiTR (101.9 FM)
West Vancouver, BC
Sam Blumenthal
Charlotte, NC
Philip Chorney
Charm City Bluegrass / Baltimore Management Agency
Rosedale, MD
Michelle Conceison
Market Monkeys
Nashville, TN
Deborah Fillman
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Owensboro, KY
Sophie Galep
Minnesota Bluegrass
Elizabethton, TN
Michele Gourley
Durham, NC
Philip Graham
Ear Trumpet Labs
Portland, OR
Rick Greene
SamJam Bluegrass Festival
Waverly, OH
Katie Hogue
John Hartford Enterprises
Nashville, TN
John Lowell
John Lowell Music
Livingston, MT
Alex Mallett
Folk Alliance International
Kansas City, MO
Mary Beth Martin
Earl Scruggs Center
Shelby, NC
Jana Mougin
Dark Shadow Recording
Goodlettsville, TN
Kali Nowakowski
Straight Up Strings
Atascadero, CA
Forrest O’Connor
The O’Connor Band / Kate Lee & Forrest O’Connor
Nashville, TN
Thomas Pritchard
Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance
East Greenwich, RI
Gregory Reish
MTSU Center for Popular Music
Murfreesboro, TN
Kim Robins
Kim Robins and 40 Years Late
Worthington, IN
Matt Royles
Man About a Horse / Philly Bluegrass
Philadelphia, PA
John Strohm
Rounder Records
Nashville, TN
Maria Wallace
True North Music
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK
Melanie Wilson
Wilson Pickins Promotions
Westminster, SC
Leadership Bluegrass 2019 takes place March 4-6 at BMI in Nashville. The course will be facilitated by Trisha Tubbs for the eighth consecutive year. Leadership Bluegrass is made possible through the generous support of its Platinum Sponsors: BMI, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, Williams Mullen, and the Wintergrass Music Festival (Acoustic Sound).
