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MNPS inks three-year East Iris partnership; Notes for Education gives $100,000 for music programs
Summary
Superintendent Adrienne Battle announced a three-year partnership with East Iris Studios (owned by Universal Music Group) to host MNPS songwriting summits and named a $100,000 gift from Notes for Education to support choral programs, an elementary music festival and teacher professional development.
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools announced a three-year partnership with East Iris Studios and a $100,000 grant from Notes for Education aimed at expanding music education and professional recording opportunities for students.
"This partnership ensures that the same professional environment and creative energy that shaped the I Believe I Belong project will now be accessible to even more MNPS students and educators through the songwriting summit," Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle said as she introduced the recognition and partnership during the board meeting.
Kelly King of East Iris Studios (which the presenter identified as owned by Universal Music Group) described the partnership and praised student work recorded at the studio. "The experience has been nothing less than absolutely incredible. These children are just, as you just saw, so special," King said, adding that East Iris and Universal Music Group view the collaboration as important.
District presenters played a student-produced song from an EP titled I Believe I Belong, credited to MNPS songwriting summits and described as available on streaming platforms. Franklin Willis, MNPS director of visual and performing arts, and other music staff read student and staff names and invited participants forward for recognition and a group photo.
The district said the East Iris Studios partnership will run through 2028 and allow students to experience professional songwriting and recording processes in a local, commercial studio. The partnership will support songwriting summits and provide students direct access to recording-industry professionals. Notes for Education donated $100,000 to support music education across the district, with the funds earmarked specifically for choral music programs, the annual elementary music festival and professional development for music teachers.
Why it matters: MNPS highlighted student creative work — including an Emmy-winning anthem and new student EP — and framed the partnership as a way to expand hands-on, career-connected arts instruction and to provide free access to professional recording facilities for students who otherwise might not have such opportunities.
District staff invited East Iris representatives and Notes for Education leadership to take photos with students and educators after the recognition.
