{
  "id": 12429212,
  "title": "How a Pre-School Of Rock Program Affirms CMA’s Investment in Music Teachers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/how-a-pre-school-of-rock-program-affirms-cmas-investment-in-music",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T17:28:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/pro/cmas-investment-in-music-teachers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2006, the Country Music Association invested in music education, following a successful tradition established a decade earlier at Hillsboro Elementary and Middle School in Leiper’s Fork, Tenn. Founded by Aubrey Preston, Kids on Stage brought music education to the struggling school, which had no fine arts program. The program's success led to a boost in the school's test scores and engagement from students. When School of Rock launched in Philadelphia, Kids on Stage had already set the stage for music education in schools. Today, the CMA celebrates music teachers with its 10th annual Music Teachers of Excellence event, highlighting the increased attention on music education in Middle Tennessee. Trevor Baxter, head of the fine arts department at Centennial High in Franklin, Tenn., has witnessed the flourishing of arts in the area since the inception of Kids on Stage.",
  "summary": "This week's Country Update lead story explores Kids on Stage, the program at Hillsboro Elementary and Middle School in Tennessee that helped Miley Cyrus and Kesha get their start.",
  "key_points": [
    "Country Music Association invested in music education in 2006",
    "Kids on Stage program boosted test scores and student engagement",
    "CMA celebrates music teachers with 10th annual Music Teachers of Excellence event"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}