Inspiring Artist Amplification through Industry Education and Creative Mentorship
Built by the creative community, for the creative community.
At AUDION, we believe mentorship can change the trajectory of a creative life
ABOUT YOU:
THE CREATIVE
You are…
• Deeply committed (through the ups and downs)
• Passionate (because this is who you are)
• Someone who always shows up (even when progress feels slow)
• Disciplined and persistent (doing the unglamorous work it takes to move forward)
• Building a music career around real life(not the other way around)
• Working multiple jobs(while you write, record, rehearse, produce, or gig)
• Creating in the margins(late nights, early mornings, and anywhere in-between)
You are exactly who we built this for.
What you may need is a lift along the way—a bit of access, momentum, or perspective to elevate your work.
That’s where the AUDION Foundation comes in
ABOUT US:
THE FOUNDATION
The AUDION Foundation is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2025 to support Nashville’s community of emerging creatives—artists, songwriters, musicians, producers, and future industry professionals—who are serious about growth and committed to the work it takes to get there. Built by the creative community, for the creative community.
We are grounded in one core belief: industry education and creative mentorship amplify careers.
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.
We create moments—sometimes an hour, sometimes an afternoon—that provide education, access, and connection, helping creatives move their work forward faster. We don’t create talent. We amplify it.
This is artist amplification.
(And yes—it’s all completely free)
OUR NAMESAKE:
Did you know the Audion, invented by Lee de Forest in 1906, was the first device capable of amplifying electrical signals, laying the foundation for modern audio, radio, and electronic communication?
HOW WE AMPLIFY:
Creative Mentorship
Meaningful relationships, creative collaboration, and access to opportunity can create momentum that lasts for years.
Through the Creative Mentorship Program, we connect selected emerging creatives with accomplished songwriters, artists, producers, musicians, and industry professionals. Not for surface-level advice, but for real collaboration, meaningful guidance, and hands-on creative experiences, including:
• Co-writes
• Recording sessions
• Creative collaborations
• Career conversations
• Industry exposure
Mentorship + Collaboration = Artist Amplification.
Industry Education
The Green Room Sessions are live and in-person conversations with the people shaping today’s music industry; designed to provide emerging creatives with a behind-the-curtains look at all parts of the music business and the creative process.
This is where education and inspiration collide. Show up, learn something, take it with you, and apply it to your craft.
Future Green Room Session topics will include:
Label & Artist
Manager & Artist
Producer & Artist
Booking Agent & Talent Buyer
Business & Legal
Meet the Mentorship Class of 2026
The AUDION Foundation's 2026 Mentor Collective unites accomplished songwriters, recording artists, producers, publishers, managers, agents, creative executives, and industry leaders from across the music business. Bringing decades of experience, influential relationships, and real-world expertise to help shape the next generation of artists.
Mentor Highlights
Billions of global streams
5,000+ film, television, and advertising sync placements
Decades of experience spanning every major genre and discipline
500+ years of combined music industry experience
30+ No. 1 songs written and produced
Millions of records sold
Industry Honors
Grammy Wins and Nominations
RIAA Diamond Certification
CMA Song of the Year
CMA Triple Play Award
ACM Song of the Year
BMI Song of the Year
SESAC Song of the Year
SESAC Songwriter of the Year
Golden Globe Nomination
CMT Award Nomination
Dove Award Wins and Nominations
BMI Millionaire Awards
BMI Multi-Platinum Pop Awards
BMI Urban Award
Country & Pop BMI Performance Awards
NSAI Honors
Winner of The Voice and Finalist of America's Got Talent
👆 Tap or click a mentor to learn more about them
THE AUDION COMMUNITY
The AUDION Community is free and it provides access to:
The Greenroom Sessions
Creative Mentorship opportunities
Eligibility for future AUDION programs, including Artists-In-Residence and Recording Grants
WHAT WE ARE NOT
There is nothing to win. There is nothing to pay for. The work is the work. We create the access – and let the momentum follow.
LOOKING AHEAD
As the AUDION Foundation grows, we plan to expand access to additional resources, including:
The AUDION Foundation Team
Built by the creative community, for the creative community
Zac Koffler
Founder / President
(Talent Management)
Zac is a Nashville-based entrepreneur with over 20 years in the music and real estate industries. He is the founder of APEX Entertainment Management and has worked across multiple genres with GRAMMY Award– winning artists including CeCe Winans, Dailey & Vincent, Sister Hazel, Jo Dee Messina, Laura Bell Bundy, and The Singing Contractors. Zac is a three-time EMMY Award nominee as Executive Producer of The Dailey & Vincent TV Show and the creator of the American Made Music Festival Series. His Nashville real estate portfolio hosts approximately 3,000 visitors annually.
James Dail
Treasurer
(Business Management)
James Dail is a Certified Public Accountant with nearly a decade of experience in financial assurance, valuation, tax advising, and business management. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Tennessee. A native of East Tennessee, James has lived in Nashville since 2017 and has spent the past seven years as a business manager in the music industry, providing comprehensive financial management services to athletes and entertainers.
Max Abrams
Secretary
(Artist)
Max is a Nashville-based saxophonist who has recorded and performed with an extensive range of artists across rock, blues, country, and pop, including The Mavericks, Widespread Panic, Buddy Guy, Chris Stapleton, Taj Mahal, Little Big Town, Frankie Valli, Lionel Richie, Ben Rector, Jake Owen, and Yo-Yo Ma. He has appeared on major national broadcasts including the GRAMMY Awards, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers, PBS Great Performances, and the CMA, ACM, CMT, and AMA Awards. Max has released six solo albums, most recently Samba Americana, and his playing can be heard on the TV series Nashville, Grey’s Anatomy, and True Detective, as well as national advertising campaigns and broadcast themes.
Martha Kenny
Director of Creative Strategy
(Music Distribution)
Martha Kenny is the founder and CEO of Cadence Distribution, a boutique music distribution company specializing in release strategy and project management for independent artists and labels. She has personally managed release rollouts for more than 1,000 songs, achieving over 300 editorial playlist placements, Billboard chart positions, and hundreds of millions of streams for her clients. As Director of Creative Strategy for the AUDION Foundation, Martha shapes the programming and voice of the organization — bridging the gap between emerging artists and the industry professionals invested in their success.
Thank you to those who have stepped up to help us amplify the community
