Our 2026 Creative Mentorship Program applications have closed. The Creative Mentorship Program is an annual program and we will be announcing details for our 2027 season soon.

If you aren't already a community member, sign up here to stay updated about the 2027 applications.

2026 Mentees

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Rei Kimura
Tyler Lamb
Tae Lewis
Ayanna Jahneé
Eliana Grizzell
Sean Daily
Maura Streppa
Derek James
Carly Zimmerman
Charlie Argo

2026 Mentors

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Wil Merrell

  • The AUDION Foundation’s 2026 mentor group represents every corner of the music industry — songwriters, recording artists, publishers, agents, managers, and more. Some have been shaping the industry for over 40 years; others are still on the road full-time, playing to thousands of fans every night. Spanning all genres and all disciplines, every one of them has made a lasting impact on modern music.

    Collectively, they have written and produced more than 30 #1 songs, including some of the most-played songs in radio history, resulting in millions of records sold and billions of streams.  Their work has been heard around the world through chart-topping recordings, live performances, and over 5000 sync placements across major motion pictures, television, and advertising campaigns. 

    Their accomplishments include some of the industry's highest honors, including:

    • 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

    The mentorship group has written, produced, and or performed with legendary artists such as:

    Austin Snell, Bailey Zimmerman, Beyoncé, Blake Shelton, Brandon Heath, Brantley Gilbert, Brett Eldredge, Bryan White, Carrie Underwood, CeCe Winans, Chase Bryant, Chris Janson, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Clay Walker, Cody Johnson, Cole Swindell, Connie Smith, Darius Rucker, Diamond Rio, Dierks Bentley, Dolly Parton, Don Williams, Donna Summer, Drake White, Dustin Lynch, Emily Ann Roberts, Eminem, Eric Church, Faith Hill, Florida Georgia Line, Floetry, Frank Ray, Gloria Gaynor, Hootie and the Blowfish, Jake Owen, Jana Kramer, Jelly Roll, Jennifer Nettles, Jerrod Niemann, Jill Scott, Joe Nichols, John Anderson, John Oates, Jon Lanston, Joss Stone, Julio Iglesias, Justin Timberlake, Karley Scott Collins, Keith Urban, Kellie Pickler, Kenny Chesney, Kenny Rogers, Lainey Wilson, Larry Clinton, Lauren Daigle, LeAnn Rimes, LoneStar, Luke Bryan, Mackenzie Carpenter, Maddie & Tae, Maren Morris, Martina McBride, Mary Mary, Miley Cyrus, Morgan Wallen, Nate Smith, Needtobreathe, OneRepublic, Queen Latifah, Randy Houser, Randy Owen, Rascal Flatts, Ray Price, Scotty McCreery, Skylar Grey, TajMo (Keb' Mo' & Taj Mahal), Teedra Moses, The Backstreet Boys, The Band Loula, The Judds, The McCrary Sisters, The Roots, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tiera Kennedy, Tim McGraw, Toby Mac, Trace Adkins, Tye Tribbett, Tyler Braden, Vince Gill, Wade Bowen, Wynonna Judd, Zac Brown Band and many more

  • At AUDION, we believe mentorship can change the trajectory of a creative life — one meaningful opportunity, relationship, or collaboration can create momentum that lasts for years.

    Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not. Many emerging creatives have the talent; what they lack is access. The 2026 Creative Mentorship Program exists to close that gap, selecting 10 emerging creatives for a high-impact mentorship experience built by the creative community, for the creative community.

    This isn't surface-level advice. It's real access, and collaboration opportunities, with people who've built lasting careers in this industry.

    Each selected participant receives mentorship opportunities with 6 different mentors throughout the Program, including:

    • 4 creative collaborations — co-writes, studio experiences, and other impactful creative opportunities 

    • 2 career conversations with music industry professionals, such as label executives, publishers, booking agents, managers, and business managers

    No two mentorship experiences look exactly alike. Each is designed to meet you where you are and help move your creative journey forward. One participant might spend time in a writing room, another in a recording session, an executive meeting, or a conversation that helps shape their next chapter.

  • This Program is designed for emerging creatives in Nashville who are deeply committed to their craft and actively working to move their careers forward. AUDION welcomes creatives across all genres and backgrounds, including artists, songwriters, producers, musicians, engineers, creative collaborators, and other music-related creatives.

    Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and reside within 30 miles of Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee.

    The program was designed to benefit people who:

    • Are actively creating and pursuing their craft

    • Work hard behind the scenes, even when the road is difficult

    • Are open to learning, collaboration, growth, and community

    • Understand that meaningful careers are built over time

    • Value creative relationships and giving back to the community around them

    You keep showing up — even when progress feels slow — because creating matters to you. You’re disciplined, persistent, and willing to do the unglamorous work it takes to move forward. You’re likely building a music career around real life: working jobs to support yourself while you write, record, rehearse, produce, or gig whenever time and resources allow. You’re eager to learn, and ready to put yourself in the room.

  • Step 1: Submit Your Application

    Through your application, we hope to understand:

    • Who you are

    • What you’re building

    • Where you hope to go

    • How you navigate creative life in Nashville

    • Why this Program feels meaningful to you

    • How mentorship may best support your journey

    The application will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. We encourage you to download the questions first, review them, gather your materials, and then submit all at once. This will allow you to be intentionally thoughtful in your answers.

    Be prepared to provide the following as part of your application

    • 3 examples of your work (title, link, year, and your role for each)

    • 2 artist/promotional photos or a recent high-quality headshot

    • Additional materials: tour schedules, press, or other work samples (optional)

    Before you begin, we encourage you to download the application questions and sit with them. The most compelling applications come from creatives who are honest, specific, and thoughtful. When you’re ready, fill out your application and upload your materials via the Apply Now link.

    Your application is how we get to know you — take your time with it.

    Step 2: Independent Review & Selection

    Once submitted, applications are reviewed by an independent, anonymous group of music industry professionals. This process ensures every applicant is evaluated without bias, based purely on the strength of their work and readiness for mentorship.

    Using a shared evaluation framework, this group identifies the 10 creatives they believe would benefit most — based on readiness, alignment, potential impact, and overall fit — and provides that list to AUDION for admission. AUDION does not select the 10.

    Selection isn't simply about talent. Creative journeys move at different speeds, and mentorship is often about timing, openness, and where someone currently is in their process. The council looks for creatives who can clearly show:

    • Creative Voice — What makes your work feel like you?

    • Momentum — What are you actively building right now?

    • Vision — Where do you hope to go creatively and professionally?

    • Readiness — Are you open to mentorship, feedback, and growth?

    • Community — Will you learn alongside others and contribute positively?

    The Program is intentionally limited to 10 participants to ensure that each creative receives the maximum impact. As The AUDION Foundation grows, we hope to expand and reach more creatives in the years ahead.

    Step 3: Mentorship & Collaboration

    By October 10, 2026, ten creatives will be selected for the 2026 AUDION Creative Mentorship Class. Each selected participant receives mentorship opportunities with 6 different mentors throughout the Program, including:

    • Four creative collaborations

    • Two career conversations

    • Opportunities to collaborate with fellow cohort members

    • Access to the broader AUDION creative community

    The goal is not to promise record deals, publishing deals, or overnight success. The goal is to provide meaningful opportunities, authentic relationships, and real-world experiences that help move a creative career forward.

    Program Timeline

    July 8, 2026 — Applications Open

    September 8, 2026 — Applications Close

    October 10, 2026 — Participants Notified; introductions and scheduling begin

    October 15, 2026 – February 28, 2027 — Mentorship Experiences

APPLY HERE

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Program is open to emerging artists, songwriters, producers, musicians, creative collaborators, and other music-related creatives who are at least 18 years old and reside within 30 miles of Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee.

  • Ten creatives will be selected for the 2026 Mentorship Class.

  • No. There is no application fee and no cost to participate in the Program.

  • Mentors provide guidance, encouragement, perspective, collaboration opportunities, and honest conversation based on real-world experience. This may look like co-writing, studio sessions, career conversations, feedback, or introductions — helping someone think more clearly about their next steps creatively and professionally.

  • The 2026 AUDION Mentor Class includes artists, songwriters, producers, musicians, booking agents, label professionals, artist managers, and business managers — people who represent every lane of a music career, not just one. They were chosen not only for what they’ve accomplished, but for their belief in the next generation of Nashville creatives. Learn more about our mentors here.

  • No. Participants will engage with multiple mentors throughout the Program depending on availability, fit, and opportunity. Our goal is to surround each participant with a range of voices and experiences.

  • No. Every participant’s experience will be unique, designed to meet them where they are in their creative journey.

  • Yes. Applicants must reside within 30 miles of Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee at the time of submission. The Program is built around in-person collaboration, writing sessions, and community building.

  • Not necessarily. We are less focused on resume accomplishments and more interested in commitment, readiness, work ethic, and creative potential.

  • All genres are welcome. The Program is open to artists, songwriters, producers, musicians, and other music-related creatives.

  • No, but it would be helpful. Applicants should be able to share examples of their creative work and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their craft.

  • The strongest applications are thoughtful, honest, and specific. Share where you are right now — not where you think you should be.

  • Applications are reviewed by an independent and anonymous group of music industry professionals. This process ensures every applicant is evaluated purely on the strength of their work and readiness for mentorship— not on who they know or where they're from.

  • The formal mentorship period runs from October 15, 2026 through February 28, 2027.

  • All applicants will be notified via email regarding final selections by October 10, 2026.

  • That’s okay.

    We hope this is the beginning of your relationship with AUDION — not a one-time decision. This is an annual program and we strongly encourage creatives to apply again in future years.

    Every creative who applies becomes part of the broader AUDION creative community and remains connected to future opportunities, educational programming, conversations, and events. While each Mentorship Class remains intentionally small, our mission is much bigger than ten people.

    We encourage all creatives to stay involved, attend our Green Room Sessions educational series, continue building their work, and remain connected to the community around them. It will serve you.

  • Absolutely. We strongly encourage creatives to reapply.

  • No. Our mentors volunteer their time because they believe in investing in the next generation of creatives and strengthening the creative community.

  • AUDION Membership provides access to Foundation updates, educational programming, Green Room Sessions, community opportunities, and future initiatives offered through The AUDION Foundation. It’s all free.