Student Success
KCTM students and alumni showcase talents at bluegrass conference
Students and alumni of Morehead State’s Kentucky Center for Traditional Music (KCTM) had the opportunity to showcase their talents at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) annual conference, Sept. 24-28, in Raleigh, North Carolina.Traditional music alumna Michelle Canning (16) was one of ten emerging songwriters featured in a showcase at the conference. Canning was accompanied by fellow traditional music graduate Justin Harrison (16) and current traditional music student Elizabeth Bowman, a senior from Morehead.
It’s quite an honor to be selected for the songwriter’s showcase because she presented along with Grammy Award-winning writers and people who have a lot of experience and success in the music business,” said Dr. Raymond McLain, associate professor of traditional music and director of the KCTM.
In addition to Canning, Lauren (17) and Leanna Price (17) of the duo the Price Sisters performed at several showcases at the conference through their record label, Rebel Records. The Price Sisters were nominated for a Momentum Award, which recognizes the contributions of rising bluegrass artists.
Additional KCTM students who attended the conference include:
- Meghan Bryant, a traditional music major from Martin.
- Jack Caudill, a junior convergent media major with a traditional music minor from Viper.
- Russ Farmer, a transfer student majoring in traditional music from Lexington.
- Johnathan Keeton, a sophomore convergent media major with a traditional music minor from West Liberty.
- Hayley King, a freshman with a double major in Spanish and traditional music from Ridgewood, South Carolina.
- Kendall Potter, a freshman traditional music major from Rising Sun, Indiana.
Top photo: From left to right: Kendall Potter, Hayley King and Meghan Bryant played at the KCTM booth at the IBMA conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. Photo credit: Makayla Holder | The Trail Blazer
Bottom photo: Students and faculty from the KCTM performed in a showcase at the IBMA conference, held Sept. 24-28. Pictured from left to right are Hayley King, Russ Farmer, Ruth McLain Smith, lecturer at KCTM, and Johnathan Keeton. Photo credit: Makayla Holder | The Trail Blazer
