The Academy of Country Music’s LEVel Up - Lift Every Voice Program Opens Applications and Nominations for 2025 Cohort
The Academy of Country Music’s LEVel Up - Lift Every Voice Program
Opens Applications and Nominations for 2025 Cohort
Celebrated Professional Development Program Sets Monday, November 11 Deadline for Submissions
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NASHVILLE, TN (October 28, 2024) - The Academy of Country Music’s LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice professional development program, designed to elevate and drive the next generation of rising leaders in the Country Music industry, is currently accepting applications and nominations for its 2025 cohort, through an application deadline of Monday, November 11, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to apply (or be nominated by their peers) if they have worked in the industry for more than five years and have demonstrated a commitment and passion for making Country Music accessible and welcoming to all.
Individuals selected for the widely praised two-year intensive program will work toward the mission of “expanding the horizons of Country Music to transcend demographics and geography.” Candidates should be driven and high-achieving employees who are passionate about making Country Music accessible and welcoming to all and committed to growing within the industry, as well as innovative, creative, and bold thinkers who are motivated by taking action.
“The LEVel Up program has brought some of our industry’s most enthusiastic and hard-working rising leaders together to accomplish some truly incredible work in expanding Country Music to new and different audiences,” said Vipin Reddy, Chair of the ACM Lifting Voices Council. “On behalf of the ACM Board of Directors and the Lifting Voices Council, I can’t wait to support the individuals that step up to the plate for the 2025 cohort and help foster the ideas they can formulate together and put into action.”
“The Academy is excited to announce the launch of our fourth cohort in 2025. This program, created by our Lifting Voices Council, has been a true labor of love, with each cohort focused on fostering a more inclusive and dynamic music industry. The progress we’ve made over the years showcases our commitment to building a brighter future for music,” said Kortney Toney, Manager of Programming & Community Engagement at the Academy and head of the LEVel Up program. “Our DEI Task Force has worked diligently to open doors and expand opportunities, and we are eager to continue promoting inclusivity and equity through this program right here in Music City.”
In the first year of the LEVel Up program, participants learn more about the music business from some of the industry’s key executives, as well as participate in volunteer opportunities. The class also collaborates as a cohort to devise a proposal to expand Country Music’s reach into new and underrepresented audience segments. In the second year, the cohort works together to implement the plan they formulated during their first year in the program.
Nominations can be submitted HERE, or those interested in joining the program can submit their own application HERE. The program is funded wholly by the Academy of Country Music at no cost to participants.
About the ACM LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice Program
ACM LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program is a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders in Country Music, designed to empower participants to play a pivotal role in expanding the horizons of Country Music into new audiences that transcend demographics and geography.
ACM LEVel Up, 2024 Cohort, who are entering into their second year of the program:
- Alexes Aiken, Westwood One
- Jackie Ebnet, Mtheory
- Haley Fairman, UTA
- Kenyon Glenn, ASCAP
- David Hawkins, MY Public Relations Lab
- Lacey Hayes, Romeo Entertainment Group (REG)
- Gator Pizer, Farris, Self & Moore
- Nathan Pyle, Songfluencer
- Lizzy Stone, Wiles + Taylor & Co.
- Bryan Webb, Apple Music
For more information on ACM LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program, please visit acmcountry.com/levelup.
About the Academy of Country Music
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown to become a leading association for the Country Music industry over the last 60 years. Now headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2024 has been another monumental year for the Academy, with the 59th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, broadcast live from Texas for a second consecutive year on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents both ACM LEVel Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, and OnRamp, a guaranteed income program for Black members of the Nashville music community, in partnership with the Black Music Action Coalition. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
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LEVel Up Program Questions:
Kortney Toney, Academy of Country Music, [email protected]
Media Contacts:
Jesse Knutson, Academy of Country Music, [email protected]
Lexi Cothran, Academy of Country Music, [email protected]