High School Students Find Community at Grammy Camp

Belmont hosts Grammy Camp 2026 on Music Row

This year marked the return of Grammy Camp to Belmont University, a weeklong program designed for high school students interested in entering an ever-changing industry and gaining real-world skills across disciplines. Taught by Belmont faculty and local music business professionals, Grammy Camp invests in the next generation by giving students an intensive experience to develop their craft, gain insight about the various careers available to them in the industry and meet like-minded peers.

“I consider Belmont to be one of the leading music industry schools,” said Julie Mutnansky, director of education and community engagement at the Grammy Museum. “While there are plenty of performance-based schools, Belmont gives students an education with a broader experience surrounding the music industry as a whole.” 

Real-World Experience

Grammy Camp sessions were held at the newly remodeled Music Row facilities, which provided fertile ground for collaboration. From co-writes in practicum rooms to jam sessions in the stairwells and camp-wide meetings in the lower lounge area, every inch of the space was utilized by the campers to make meaningful creative connections.

“Grammy camp is seven days of intense learning,” Mutnansky said. “Students who are driven, passionate and eager to learn walk out with lifelong connections, elevated talent and endless opportunities.”

Upon their arrival at camp, students have already auditioned and been accepted into a “career track,” concentrating their camp experience on individual areas of interest such as songwriting, music business, production and more. Already possessing the raw skills for these disciplines, Grammy Camp is a chance to elevate their skills and take their talents to the next level.

For students curious about the university, Grammy Camp offers a taste of the classroom experience. “It was so helpful to have faculty who know Belmont inside and out,” explained Mutnansky. "Each member brings their own incredible journey and career pathway to the classes, giving these campers the same wisdom they offer their college classrooms.”

Lasting Connection

As the campers find and build community through the program, many will end up fostering these connections by attending a school like Belmont when they graduate. “We have many alumni who have gone on to Belmont, making it one of the top schools that campers choose to further their education” Mutnansky said. “They rave about it.”

For the campers, this is not a fantasy camp with an experience that fades once the week is finished. The real-world experience of Grammy Camp is a main goal of the organization, preparing students with career readiness and the confidence to go into a room with strangers and ask the right questions. At a transitional stage as impactful as high school, Grammy Camp seeks to come alongside young people and prepare them to chase their dreams.

“My hope for the students who come through Grammy Camp is that they leave with a new network of people and friends, and an idea of what their next step will be on their career journey” Mutnansky reflected. “There are plenty of students who attend that wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity or resources to meet like-minded creatives, and every week we get to watch light bulb moments happen as they find their people.”