WHO WE ARE
Want a job in the industry?
“Show up on time, be a person of integrity and take the initiative.”
- Warren Pettit, Director
WHO WE ARE
ABOUT CMC NASHVILLE
The CMC began in 2001 on Martha’s Vineyard and was designed around an artist colony model with an emphasis on songwriting and music business. As the program evolved it moved to Nashville in 2010 and added live event production and touring to its offerings.
In 2021, Experience Institutes-Nashville, LLC, a subsidiary of Greenville University (GU) purchased the Contemporary Music Center (CMC) from the CCCU (Council for Christian Colleges & Universities). Students attending CMC now had the added benefit of earning college credits directly from GU or having those credits transferred back to their home institution.
Today, CMC Nashville offers students experiential education across multiple disciplines with the goal of preparing them for careers in the entertainment industry while challenging them to live out their faith as Christ-followers.
WHAT WE DO
DOING IT FOR REAL
CMC Nashville is a pre-professional program that gives students the time, space and gear to explore their creativity. Teaching faculty, who are all industry professionals in their own right, mentor and encourage students to live out their faith, in the workplace, as Christ-followers.
During the semester a weekly, in-house show called CMC Live features original songs written and performed by students in the Artist Track. The students in the Business Track manage every aspect of the show including promotion and marketing. It’s the Worship Creative Arts Track students that cast the creative vision for the visuals and live stream experience. Production support, which includes sound, lighting and video is the responsibility of the students in the Technical Track .
At the end of the semester, students literally pack up everything in the building and take the show on the road. Dubbed the ‘final exam’, CMC Nashville is the only program in the nation that provides students with a real, student led Road Tour experience.
Upon graduation, many of our alumni secure their first industry job through our iNashville Internship Program or connect directly with our 1200+ alumni.
The CMC continues a tradition of excellence and is a respected brand in the Nashville community.
OUR STAFF
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS
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![A middle-aged man with gray hair, glasses, and a beard, wearing a plaid shirt, standing against a brick wall.]()
WARREN PETTIT
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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![A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a blue headband, a white shirt with small black dots, and a brown blazer, smiling at the camera in an indoor setting with a brick wall and framed artwork in the background.]()
JENNY LEININGER
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
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![Headshot of a middle-aged man with short brown hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, wearing a gray collared shirt and a dark jacket, against a brick wall background.]()
ZACH RUNQUIST
TECH TRACK DIRECTOR
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![A man with medium-length brown hair and blue eyes wearing a blue button-up shirt poses inside a room with brick walls and musical instrument posters.]()
JASON GERMAIN
ARTIST TRACK DIRECTOR
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![A black-and-white portrait of a smiling woman with loose wavy hair, wearing a necklace with a small pendant and a dark top.]()
MICHELLE WRIGHT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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![Close-up of a smiling woman with long brown hair and light skin inside a room with green curtains.]()
MADISON ARTHUR
STUDENT LIFE DIRECTOR
WHO WE ARE FAQs
What is Contemporary Music Center (CMC Nashville)?
The Contemporary Music Center (CMC) Nashville is a hands-on music and entertainment industry training program that prepares college-aged students for careers in the live events and entertainment industry. Students learn through real-world experiences, mentorship from working professionals, and practical industry projects.
Where is CMC Nashville located?
CMC is located in Brentwood, TN—just 12 miles south of downtown Nashville.
Is CMC a college or a certificate program?
CMC is a 16-week educational program for college-aged students and operates as an Experience Institute under Greenville University accreditation. Students can earn transferable college credits through the program.
What types of music careers does CMC prepare students for?
Students choose from one of four career-focused tracks;
Artist, Business, Technical and Worship Creative Arts. These tracks prepare students for careers in areas such as performing, songwriting, music business, marketing, audio engineering, concert production, worship arts, and live event production.
What makes CMC different from other music schools?
CMC emphasizes experiential learning—students learn by doing. Rather than focusing primarily on classroom instruction, students write songs, produce events, record music, collaborate across disciplines, and finish the semester by going on tour as part of their training. Faculty members are active industry professionals, and CMC offers a highly immersive environment with small class sizes and extensive access to professional equipment and facilities.
Is CMC faith-based?
Yes. CMC Nashville is a faith-based program that challenges students to live out their faith as followers of Christ while preparing for careers in the entertainment industry. Students do not have to have a personal faith to attend CMC, but they must be open to being in an environment with a faith-based worldview.
How is faith integrated into the program?
Faith is woven into both the curriculum and community life at CMC. Students learn from faculty who model Christ-centered integrity in their professional careers, and all students take a core course called “Faith, Music & Culture.” The program encourages students to integrate their faith into their creative work and future careers.
Do I need to be Christian to attend?
No. CMC is a Christ-centered program, but students are not required to be Christians to attend. All students who are interested in the program and are willing to engage with its faith-based environment are encouraged to apply.
How long is the program?
CMC is a 16-week one-semester program. Students spend the semester learning through hands-on projects and the capstone experience is a Road Tour that serves as their final exam.
Reserve your spot today!
