Apply HERE by June 1, 2026.
Most fans agree the best way to discover bluegrass music for the first time or to continue to experience it fully for years to come is to attend a well-produced live concert or festival. The IBMA Foundation is proud to announce a new college scholarship dedicated to inspiring excellence in the art of presenting live bluegrass music events.
Established by Claire Armbruster and Jeff Koontz, co-owners of Planning Stages, Inc. based in Brevard, North Carolina, the Planning Stages Scholarship for Live Music Production will recognize creative professionals whose dedication and expertise make live performances possible. It supports students pursuing college, community college, or vocational training in live music event production, talent buying, and related fields.
The goal of the Planning Stages scholarship is to empower the next generation of professionals who make bluegrass music shine from behind the curtain. Scholarships may be applied toward tuition, internships, and educational expenses. The first scholarship ($2,000) will be awarded in August, 2026 for the fall semester of the 2026-27 school year. The deadline to apply for all IBMA Foundation-hosted college and technical training scholarships is June 1. Claire and Jeff plan to make a donation in 2027 to create an endowment at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to support the new scholarship for generations to come.
“This scholarship was created because my own career has been shaped by working behind the scenes, making live music happen,” said Claire Armbruster. “I’ve always found the greatest satisfaction in the planning, talent buying, coordination, and problem-solving that allows artists and audiences to share a meaningful experience, without needing recognition for who made it happen. Over time, I’ve seen how essential these roles are and how limited the pathways can be for people who want to learn them. Partnering with the IBMA Foundation felt like a natural choice because they understand that live music is built by many hands, both on stage and off. The Foundation’s commitment to education and mentorship aligns deeply with my desire to give back by supporting practical learning and sustainable careers for those who help music shine from behind the curtain.”
Armbruster is excited about what can be accomplished with the new initiative. “I hope the Planning Stages scholarship inspires students to pursue education and training that prepare them to thoughtfully and skillfully present live music,” she said. “By supporting learning in planning, talent buying, production, and related disciplines, the scholarship is intended to encourage curiosity, professionalism, and a deep understanding of how live music comes together.
“More broadly,” she continues, “I hope it helps cultivate a new generation of behind-the-scenes leaders who value collaboration, preparation, and care for the music and the people who make it possible. If the scholarship empowers students to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the live music community, it will have fulfilled its purpose.”
For the purposes of the Planning Stages scholarship, “live music production” encompasses the planning, booking, technical, and creative work that supports live music performances across all types of venues—including festivals, theaters, performing arts centers, concert halls, and amphitheaters. Students focused on sound engineering will be encouraged to apply for the Katy Daley Broadcast Media & Sound Engineering Scholarship or the Gloria Belle Memorial Scholarship—both hosted by the IBMA Foundation.
Claire and Jeff welcome donations to the new scholarship from anyone who works in the field of live music production, or from any who have enjoyed being in the audience at a well-produced festival or concert spotlighting bluegrass music. To make a donation, contact the Foundation at info@bluegrassfoundation.org, call 615.260.4807, or donate HERE. Information about all grants and scholarships awarded by the IBMA Foundation may be found at bluegrassfoundation.org.
RETURN to the January 2026 issue of The Cornerstone.
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