Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — once you have paid your tuition in full, your spot is confirmed and held for you. Future Hitmakers Academy operates on a first-come, first-served basis and enrollment is capped at 48 students, so spots fill up quickly. We strongly encourage you to complete your enrollment as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Please note that your enrollment is not fully finalized until all required documents have been received, including proof of age (birth certificate, driver's license, or passport), your signed Liability Waiver, Student Code of Conduct, and Health & Medication Authorization Form.

Enrollment is open on a rolling basis and closes when all 48 spots are filled — which may happen well before any posted deadline. Early bird pricing is only available for the advertised time. Once “Early Bird” pricing expires, tuition moves to the Standard Rate. Don't wait — a program this size fills fast, especially once word gets out.

If the program is full when you go to enroll, you may request to be placed on our waitlist. No payment will be processed for waitlisted students. If a spot opens up, we will contact you directly to confirm your interest before moving forward with enrollment.

Welcome to Future Hitmakers Academy — you're officially in! Here's what to expect after your enrollment is confirmed:

• You'll receive a confirmation email with your enrollment details and next steps. In this email you’ll find important program details, links to required waivers and student information forms, link to a packing checklist, your program schedule, and more. Look for an email from Future Hitmakers Academy. If you do not see one, check your junk or spam folder, if you still cannot find one email info@futurehimakersacademy.com and let us know.
• Required documents (waivers, health forms, code of conduct) must be completed and returned before your enrollment is considered finalized
• Travel information to – Nashville airport transfer ground transportation information and shuttle window pick up instructions will be emailed to you in your confirmation e-mail and are included in your program details webpage HERE. If your flight arrives outside of the FHA shuttle pick up window, you will need to purchase a single airport ground ticket so FHA can plan to pick you up by a staff member.

Future Hitmakers Academy is designed for high school students in grades 9–12 (ages 13–18) who are serious about understanding how the music industry works and want to explore what a career in music business could look like for them.

This is not a performance camp. You won't be auditioning, recording, or performing. This is an immersive education experience — think group marketing projects, daily coursework woven into real industry tours, pop quizzes, panel discussions with working music business executives, and hands-on learning inside some of the most iconic music industry venues in the country.

If you're curious, driven, and ready to show up and do the work, this program was built for you.

We’re looking for students who are ready to engage, not just show up. Our programs are a best fit for the follow type of students:

• Career Aspirations: Students should be genuinely curious about the music industry and how it works, what the jobs are, and what it takes to build a career in it.
• Serious Attitude & Participation: There is no GPA requirement, but we do expect every student to take the academic portion of the program seriously, contribute to group projects, complete coursework assignments, and bring their full energy to every session
• Leadership Potential: Students who are involved in school, your community, or any music-related activities. Students who step up, take initiative, and support the people around them will do well in Future Hitmakers Academy programs.
• Character Reference: All students enrolled in a Future Hitmakers Academy program are required to submit at least one character reference from a non-family adult — a teacher, coach, pastor, employer, or mentor, who can speak to who you are as a person. Future Hitmakers Academy staff will be personally reaching out to ask your character reference if they feel you would be a good fit for the program you are enrolled in. Please make sure your character reference is aware you have put them down and that they are expecting to hear from us.

Future Hitmakers Academy tuition is all-inclusive. Here's everything that's covered:

• All curriculum, instruction, and program sessions
• All off-site events and experiences such as entertainment, tours, concerts, etc.
• All meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the week
• Overnight lodging for the full program duration
• Local ground transportation to and from all events Airport transportation during the pick-up and drop off windows
• Certificate of Completion

You may also want to bring a small amount of spending money for personal souvenirs, extra snacks, or incidentals not covered by the program.

Both rates are all-inclusive. Full payment is required to confirm your spot.

Yes. Future Hitmakers Academy offers financing through select third-party providers, giving you the option to pay over time while we receive full tuition upfront. This means your spot is fully secured the moment your financing is approved.

You may also pay in full by credit/debit card or bank transfer. If you’d like to enroll and pay by bank transfer please contact info@futurehitmakersacademy.com

Yes. Future Hitmakers Academy is proud to offer a limited number of scholarships to eligible students. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, character, and demonstrated passion for the music industry.

Many students also choose to fundraise to cover part or all of their tuition. If you plan to fundraise, we encourage you to enroll first to secure your spot, then launch your campaign. Reach out to us for approved materials to help support your efforts and check out our Fundraising Page for tips and ideas on how to raise the funds to cover your tuition.

Email: info@futurehimakersacademy.com to see if any scholarships remain for your program of interest and details on how to apply.Coming Soon

We have a strict no refund policy. We strongly encourage families to purchase a third-party tuition and travel insurance plan.

• Cancellation more than 60 days before the program: 50% refund of tuition paid or you can be allowed to use your paid tuition towards another future program.
• Cancellation 60 days or fewer before the program: Non-refundable, however you can use your tuition towards another future program.
• Removal due to Code of Conduct violation: Non-refundable. Parent or guardian is also responsible for return travel costs. Please note this is for extreme cases where warnings and calls to parents have already been made to try and rectify a situation.
• Program cancelled by FHA (within our control): Full refund issued within 30 days or issue a credit to be used for another FHA program, whichever you prefer.
• Program cancelled due to Force Majeure (weather, natural disaster, etc.): FHA will make every reasonable effort to reschedule or issue a credit to be used for another FHA program.

We strongly encourage all families to purchase a third-party tuition and travel insurance plan to protect their investment in the event of unexpected circumstances. Please note that insurance plans typically will not reimburse tuition if a student changes their mind or is removed for a Code of Conduct violation.

Yes. Future Hitmakers Academy strongly recommends that all families purchase a tuition and travel protection plan to safeguard their investment. While FHA does not require a specific provider, we do recommend purchasing coverage as early as possible — ideally at the time of enrollment.

Plans typically include both insurance coverage and non-insurance assistance services. Coverage terms, benefits, and conditions vary by state and provider, so we encourage you to review plan details carefully before purchasing.

Students and staff will reside together at a safe, secure facility for the duration of the program. Options may include university dormitories, hotels, Airbnb’s or conference center accommodations. Please refer to your enrollment confirmation email and post enrollment email correspondence for lodging location details. Loding varies per program so be sure to check the program details for lodging details for your program of interest.

All lodging locations are vetted for safety and security. Staff rooms are located among student rooms throughout the facility.

How many students share a room? Rooms are typically shared between 2–4 students, sometimes more than 4 students will be in a bunk room type of lodging, depending on the type of housing. Every student will have their own bed. Bathrooms are shared among students, and students always have separate bathroom facilities from staff.

Detailed room types and packing information will be found in the program details and post enrollment email correspondence.

Yes! Roommate requests are honored when submitted with in 2 weeks of your programs start date and when both students have agreed to the pairing. Requests can be submitted on the student information sheet filled out in the waiver section on our website.

That said, one of the most rewarding parts of a week at Future Hitmakers Academy is the people you'll meet. Some of your most valuable music industry connections might just be the people you meet while both attending your program.

Yes. Transportation to and from the program location is not included in tuition and is the responsibility of each student and family. We recommend booking flights or other travel arrangements only after you have received official enrollment confirmation and your spot is secured.

Please refer to your specific program page for the nearest airport and recommended travel information. Arrival and departure guidance, including our designated travel windows and shuttle details, will also be included in emails you receive confirming your enrollment.

Yes — Future Hitmakers Academy will have staff at the program's designated airport to meet students who arrive within our designated arrival window on the first day of the program. A supervised shuttle will transport students from the airport directly to the program location.

On the final day, shuttle service back to the airport will also be available for students departing within our designated departure window.

Specific arrival and departure window times, the designated airport meeting location, and shuttle add-on pricing will all be posted on the page of the program you are enrolled in and email correspondence you’ll receive after enrollment. Please also refer to your specific program page for airport details.

FHA staff will meet students at the baggage claim area at the program's designated airport — not at the arrival gate. Because of this, students may not travel using Unaccompanied Minor (UM) status with their airline, as UM status requires an authorized adult to be present at the arrival gate.

Airline Unaccompanied Minor policies, age requirements, and fees vary by carrier. We strongly encourage you to check with your specific airline before booking. Any fees associated with UM status are not included in program tuition and are the responsibility of the student's family. Please refer to your specific program page for the designated airport information.

All meals and snacks during the program are included in your tuition, so you won't need money for food. However, you may want to bring some spending money for personal souvenirs, gifts, or anything extra you'd like to pick up at the venues and gift stores we visit during the program.

How much you bring is entirely up to you and your budget. There's no required amount.

If you are 18 or older and plan to fly to your program location, yes — as of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state ID, or another acceptable form of identification (such as a passport) is required to board domestic flights.

A REAL ID is a federally compliant form of identification that meets security standards established by the REAL ID Act. If you're under 18, standard ID requirements for minors apply — check with your airline for specifics.

Student safety is Future Hitmakers Academy's highest priority. Students are supervised at all times by a professionally trained staff team that includes educational facilitators, chaperones, and a program lead. All FHA staff are fingerprinted, background checked, trained in child safety and abuse prevention and many are CPR certified.

Our safety measures include:

• FHA staff present at the program's designated airport to greet arriving students and supervise shuttle service to the program site
• A student-to-staff ratio of 6:1 throughout the program
• Attendance taken at every session and activity — participation is mandatory
• Nightly room checks in coordination with venue security
• Staff rooms interspersed among student rooms throughout the housing facility
• All staff equipped with communication devices at all times

Attending Future Hitmakers Academy is both a privilege and a responsibility. You're not just representing yourself — you're representing your family, your school, and your community inside some of the most respected music industry venues and organizations in the country.

Every student is required to read, sign, and abide by the FHA Student Code of Conduct before the program begins. The Code covers everything from curfew and phone policies to zero-tolerance rules around bullying, substance use, and sneaking out.

Failure to uphold the Code of Conduct may result in immediate dismissal from the program, forfeiture of tuition, and return travel at the parent or guardian's expense.

You can review the full Student Code of Conduct on our website.

Yes. Students are expected to dress in a manner that is clean, appropriate, and professional — especially when visiting venues, record labels, and other iconic program locations. No offensive graphics, language, or imagery on clothing.

Comfortable shoes are a must. You'll be doing a lot of walking. When in doubt, dress up rather than down. Staff reserves the right to ask a student to change before entering a professional environment.

A detailed packing list with dress code guidance will be included in your enrollment confirmation email and is posted on our website and your program page.

We make every effort to accommodate the dietary needs of all students, provided the request is submitted in advance on the Student Health & Medication Authorization Form. This includes food allergies, dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal, etc.), and any medically required dietary accommodations.

Please note that while we will communicate all disclosed dietary needs to our meal providers, we cannot guarantee substitutions at every off-site restaurant or venue we visit during the program.

Absolutely! We encourage you to consider enrolling. If you require specific accommodations, please contact us info@futurehitmakersacademy.com before you finalize your enrollment so we can discuss your needs in advance and ensure we can support you properly throughout the week. We'd rather know early so we can plan well.

If you require specific accommodations, please contact us before or during the application process so we can discuss your needs in advance and ensure we can support you properly throughout the week. We'd rather know early so we can plan well.

Students are permitted to bring a cell phone to stay in touch with family. Phones must be silenced and put away during all sessions, tours, and program activities. Students may call home before the day's activities begin and after they've wrapped up in the evening.

Parents and guardians will also have a direct contact number for the FHA on-site staff, and can reach out by phone or email if they need to pass along an important message.

We'll also maintain an active private Facebook group for parents where we'll share day-to-day updates, photos from activities, and any important program announcements throughout the week.

Parents and guardians are not permitted to participate in program activities or accompany students during the week. Part of the value of this experience is the independence, confidence, and connection that comes from navigating something new on your own. We've seen it transform students every time.

That said, families are absolutely welcome to travel to the program location and enjoy the area while the program is in session.

Future Hitmakers Academy is an immersive music industry education program founded by Deanna Kenisell — a 25+ year veteran of the music business whose career has taken her from the intern desk at Sony Music Nashville to the road with George Strait, the Dixie Chicks, and some of country music's biggest tours.

FHA was built on one belief: the next generation of music industry leaders deserves access to the real thing. Not textbooks. Not YouTube. The actual people, venues, and conversations that shape this industry every single day.

Every session, every tour, every panel, and every experience we put in front of our students is designed to give them a head start that most people spend years trying to find on their own.

No. Future Hitmakers Academy is a nonpartisan, independent educational program. We are not affiliated with any political party, political organization, or government entity. Music brings people together across every background and belief system — and so do we.

Future Hitmakers Academy is a tuition-based, self-supporting program. We are independently operated and funded entirely through student enrollment. Many students also seek financial support from local businesses, civic organizations, community groups, and supporters within their own communities, who believe in investing in them and/or in the next generation of music industry talent. Before you start fundraising to cover your tuition, reach out to us for approved materials to help support your efforts and check out our Fundraising Page for tips and ideas on how to raise the funds to cover your tuition

A limited number of scholarships are also available for each program. See the Scholarships section of our website for more information. Email: info@futurehimakersacademy.com to see if any scholarships remain for your program of interest and details on how to apply.