CMA Foundation Donates $1 Million To Music Education, Names New Board

Kelsea Ballerini visited the Oliver Middle School wind ensemble Tuesday during the CMA Foundation’s announcement of a $1 million donation to the Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Music Makes Us program. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images.

Kelsea Ballerini and the CMA Foundation celebrated a long-standing commitment to Metro Nashville Public Schools Tuesday (Dec. 6), awarding a $1 million grant aimed at strengthening music education programs. This donation brings CMA’s support of music teachers and education in Nashville to $11 million since 2006; one of the largest local, private investments in the district’s public school system.

Funds for the 2017 grant were raised through CMA Music Festival. In 2017, the CMA Foundation has earmarked a record $3.1 million to 44 music education programs across the country, bringing the Foundation’s total contributions to date to $17.5 million.

Additionally, the Country Music Association has announced the new Board of Directors for the CMA Foundation. The appointments are effective on Jan. 1, 2017.

Joe Galante, Chairman of Galante Entertainment Organization, will serve as Chairman, and Lon Helton, CEO of Country Aircheck, will serve as Vice Chairman.

Other members of the 2017 CMA Foundation Board include:
Kix Brooks
Frank Bumstead, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town
Blair Garner, Cumulus Media
Ed Hardy, Hardy Media and Entertainment Group
John Huie, Creative Artists Agency
Ron Samuels, Pinnacle Financial Partners
Victoria Shaw, AvaRu Productions
Jennie Smythe, Girlilla Marketing
Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium
Kitty Moon Emery, Foundation Emeritus