NAMM Young Professionals

Connect. Learn. Grow. If you’d like to network with other industry professionals under 40, then you should join NAMM YP. As a member, you'll be invited to exclusive NAMM YP events where you can connect with like-minded peers, build solid business relationships that can turn into lifelong friendships, and learn from the veterans who've shaped our industry.

Thursday, July 18
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

NAMM YP Social Gathering

Location: The Flying Saucer - 111 10th Ave S #310, Nashville, TN 37203
Make plans to join us Thursday night for our Summer NAMM tradition, an informal social gathering at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium including good food, drinks, fun, relaxing, and socializing! Stop in any time after 8:00 pm as your schedule allows. Food and beverages are on your own, but the networking and fun are free!
My Show Planner
Friday, July 19
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Educational Session

Location: 201AB
At this special session, NAMM Young Professionals welcomes JC Curleigh, CEO of Gibson Brands, Inc., who will share his career path and his advice for you. After the session, stick around for a networking reception with NAMM YP. This session and reception are open to all industry professionals and NAMM attendees.
My Show Planner
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Networking Reception

Location: 201AB
At this special session, NAMM Young Professionals welcomes JC Curleigh, CEO of Gibson Brands, Inc., who will share his career path and his advice for you. After the session, stick around for a networking reception with NAMM YP. This session and reception are open to all industry professionals and NAMM attendees.

Are you interested in helping with events, programming, and a leadership position?

NAMM YP elects new board members every year and we continue to explore opportunities for organization growth in addition to trade show events at Summer and Winter NAMM. If you’re interested in volunteering, participating further, or would like to learn about opportunities on the board, please talk with any board member at Summer NAMM or email them (emails listed below).

Have you heard?

NAMM Young Professionals is developing a mentorship program to help connect our members with industry veterans.

What to Expect:

A yearlong commitment to learning and sharing with your mentor or mentee
Relationship with a mentor or mentee that is chosen specifically for you – tailored to your goals
Regularly scheduled monthly meetings
An opportunity to focus on specific goals

If you'd like to be a mentee or a mentor, please fill out this form to let us know if you are interested! You will also be able to select what topics you would like to engage with, as well as your availability and preferred forms of contact.

NAMM YP Mentorship Program Form Book Recommendation Form Mentorship Program FAQ

NAMM YP in Action

Check out images from NAMM YP’s last event. Be sure to add our next event to your calendar so you don’t miss out on the excellent educational and networking opportunities!

NAMM YP Images

Connect with fellow NAMM Young Professionals and learn about unofficial meetups during the NAMM trade shows by following the NAMM YP social media pages:

Email us to join NAMM YP and sign up to receive the NAMM YP newsletter.

If you're a NAMM YP member and have some words of wisdom you'd like to share with other NAMM YP members, then writing an article for our Next Gen Retailing series might be for you! NAMM YP has monthly articles in Music Inc., written by and written for NAMM YP members. If you're interested in sharing your experiences and insight, please send an email to Stephanie Murphy!

Election of NAMM YP Board Members

During our Friday event, we will host our annual NAMM YP meeting of members. You'll get an overview of the things NAMM YP is doing and we'll vote for new members of the NAMM YP Board of Directors. The current board has recommended Melissa Ceo as Secretary and the following individuals to each serve a three-year term on the board: Jack Dring, Laura Penrose, and Brandon Voorhees.

Melissa CEO

Melissa Ceo is the current Business Development Manager at C. A. House Music, joining her father and grandfather in the family business. After a brief stint in musical theatre, she completed her Master's Degree in Communication Studies at West Virginia University. She joined the C. A. House Music team immediately after graduation, and takes pride in helping her company grow and develop. In her spare time, Melissa and her husband Gavin chase their two toddlers and read all the fantasy/sci-fi books they can find.

Brandon Voorhees

Brandon Voorhees is the manager of showroom operations for Buddy Roger's Music, a NAMM Top 100 dealer. A native to Cincinnati, Ohio, Brandon has brought a new energy to the small business climate of the city by serving as president of the local chamber of commerce. His career is marked by his strengths in developing integrated marketing programs, ROI analysis, training and development, and team leadership. When he is not figuring out new ways to sell clarinets and trombones, he can be found spending time with his wife, daughter and their two small dogs Sophie and Peanut.

Laura Penrose

Laura Penrose has over 20 years experience in the music industry ranging from performing to teaching, and from retail to manufacturing. Her specialties include step up instrument sales, brand conversion, and customer relations. She has performed and studied music in several countries, including China, most of Central Europe, and several islands of the Caribbean, and continues to explore new musical experiences through travel. She loves to read and has a serious sweet tooth. Her favorite activities include attending concerts, sitting on the beach, and going to Disneyland with her husband and their four children.

Jack Dring

Jack Dring currently leads Buffet Crampon's Canadian Division, located in Toronto, Canada. Specializing in business development in small-to-medium sized operations, he appreciates the individual nuance that distinguish businesses and carries a proven track record of delivering major results on time. A native of the United Kingdom, Jack studied trumpet at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music, before moving to New York to study, and ultimately pursue a career in business. He is an advocate for the importance of mentorship and experiential learning, and places great value in personal development both in and out of the workplace. Jack is also an accomplished jazz musician and still maintains a regular performance schedule.