TBR's Center for Workforce Development Champions Nashville Songwriters Association Program at Nashville State

The TBR Center for Workforce Development and the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) are proud to announce an exciting, first-of-its-kind program at Nashville State Community College (NSCC). Starting Feb. 11, 2025, this comprehensive six-week music industry workshop will be offered both at Nashville State's White Bridge campus in West Nashville and online synchronously, allowing students to engage in real time with other students and faculty.

Led by renowned industry professionals like Hall of Fame songwriter Tom Douglas and Big Machine Music President Mike Molinar, this program is tailored to help aspiring songwriters and musicians succeed in the competitive music industry. 

“This innovative partnership, developed through TBR's Center for Workforce Development, brings together Nashville State and the Nashville Songwriters Association International in a way that exemplifies what makes Tennessee's workforce development special – the ability to harness our state's unique cultural strengths and turn them into career opportunities,” said Chancellor Flora W. Tydings.

The TBR Center for Workforce Development champions programs like this to align education with industry needs and provide meaningful opportunities for students to achieve their career goals. Through a collaborative effort, these courses aim to prepare aspiring songwriters and musicians with the tools needed to succeed in the highly competitive music industry while contributing to the state’s economic development.

NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison shares his enthusiasm for the program, saying, “NSAI is excited to partner with Nashville State on this six-week program. We applaud TBR Chancellor Flora Tydings, Nashville State President Shanna Jackson, and their teams for creating innovative and affordable ways to bring knowledge about songwriting and associated music industry careers to students. Some of the very top industry professionals will be part of this journey, only adding to its potential."

Chancellor Tydings emphasized, “By bringing together industry leaders to teach the next generation, we're not just offering a course – we're opening doors to careers in one of Tennessee's most iconic industries. This is workforce development at its most innovative and exciting!”

Program Overview

The course runs on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and features an impressive lineup of industry experts, delivering personal insights, insider knowledge, and networking opportunities. Each week highlights a key aspect of songwriting and the business of music:

Session 1: Professional Songwriting 101, An Overview
Guest Lecturer – Kaylee Rose, Songwriter-Artist/Social Media Star
Hit Songwriter Q and A and Performance

Session 2: Songwriting – The Craft
Guest Lecturer – Hall of Fame songwriter Tom Douglas

Session 3: Songwriter and Artist Income Streams
Guest Lecturer – Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment - Manager of Luke Bryan

Session 4: Publishing and Record Deals
Guest Lecturer – Mike Molinar, President of Big Machine Music
Pursuing a Record Deal – Margaret Tomlin, Vice President, A&R at Sony Music Entertainment

Session 5: Songwriter Support Jobs

Session 6: A Day in the Life
Hit Songwriter and Signed Artist Story (two special guests)
Performance

Registration and Fees

The course fee is $145 for NSAI members and $245 for non-members (including a one-year NSAI membership). Space is limited to ensure each participant has access to personalized guidance during the sessions, so early registration is strongly encouraged. Compared to similar masterclasses, this program offers exceptional value while delivering expert-led training.