The ACM’s LEVel Up – Lift Every Voice program opens applications

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 11th November 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 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.

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

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