ACM Lifting Lives Series Begins at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

ACM Lifting Lives has partnered with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center once again to launch the ‘ACM Lifting Lives Series at Vanderbilt,’ a vocational experience for young adults with developmental disabilities.

For the next eight months, the series will help its 10 participants (ages 20 to 35) learn vocational and social skills aimed at improving the potential for gaining employment in the entertainment industry. The first session, which focused on songwriting, was held April 23. The participants will gain exposure to additional aspects of the music industry, including songwriting, mixing instrumentals and vocals, recording, public relations and performance. Workshops will also include resume writing, networking and interviewing.

Tammy Vice serves as music consultant for the ACM Lifting Lives Series and Sheryl Rogers serves as project manager.

“The Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives has seen the power of music in its sponsorship of the weeklong annual ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center,” said Hannah Martin, manager of ACM Lifting Lives. “If one week each summer can be transformative, we realized we could make an even greater impact by providing a more extended experience. We’re so proud of the generous response of persons at every level of Nashville’s music business, which helps make this possible.”

“We’re thrilled at the fantastic opportunity that ACM Lifting Lives Series at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center is providing,” said Elisabeth Dykens, director of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and co-director of its University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. “Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are significantly unemployed or underemployed, when they have so much to offer. Helping to raise employment aspirations and develop employment skills are a high priority at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. ACM Lifting Lives and so many associated with Nashville’s entertainment industry are making a huge difference by providing these vocational experiences.”