Meet the people behind CMC

Warren Pettit

Program Director

Meet Warren Pettit. Warren dreamed up this place. He created the CMC with one question in mind... "What would he have wanted/needed at age 20 to further his goals and dreams in the music industry?" He will teach you the skills that you need to be employable and help you fine-tune your talents. But most importantly, he will help you think deeply about music and your faith, and challenge you to consider how they intertwine. Warren teaches a few core classes and is the master behind the tour production and show.

Michelle Wright

Executive Director

Michelle Wright (née Fink), Greenville University class of 1990, is deeply connected to her alma mater. In fact, she is a 4th generation alum. Earning her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing, coupled with her experience as the Agape music festival coordinator, she set her trajectory for Nashville and a deeper dive into the Christian music industry.

Michelle landed in radio promotions at Reunion Records, home of recording artists including Michael W. Smith, Rich Mullins, and Third Day. After several years at the label, she was promoted to the VP of Marketing and Artist Development.

Jenny Leininger

Director of Operations

Meet Jenny Leininger. Jenny is CMC’s Director of Operations. She keeps the CMC moving along by managing the day to day and communicating with parents, faculty, and staff. She and her husband, John have been working at the CMC since 2008! They know this program and the average college student very well. Jenny has a master’s degree in Higher Education and a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry.

Benjamin Mariano

Technical Track

Meet Benjamin Mariano. An audio engineer by trade, he's spent time working on the road as a tech, but is most at home in the recording studio—no surprise as he operates one out of his house. Alongside freelancing as a producer and mixing engineer, he is an artist/songwriter, runs a small indie record label, and has worked extensively with a Nashville non-profit to produce live prison concerts featuring the likes of Cory Asbury, Walker Hayes, and Steven Curtis Chapman. As a Semester 32 alum, he uniquely understands the CMC student experience and enjoys getting to come alongside students as they grow their skills and character throughout the semester.

Jason Germain

Artist Track

Meet Jason Germain. He is a part of our Artist Track teaching team. Jason hones in on the songwriting with our student artists. He was a founding member and songwriter for the band downhere, and is the recipient of some remarkable awards, including a Dove Award and a few ASCAP Songwriting awards. Since coming off the road, he has hung his hat in the industry as a trusted mastering engineer, working with a wide array of artists, producers, and labels to put the final polish on their recordings.

Madison Arthur

Student Life

Hi there! 👋 I'm Madison, the Student Life Director here at the CMC. I am both grateful and excited to begin this journey with you. My role at the CMC is all about... well... YOU! I'm here to support you through it all. I have a degree in Theology and Ministry from Lipscomb University, and I am now in graduate school for Marriage and Family Therapy. Connecting with people on an emotional and spiritual level is my jam. But, so is making spaces for fun! I will also be planning some opportunities to get together and spend time outside of class letting loose. I can't wait to get to know you all!

Abby Burbach

Student Recruiter