SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK

"Can I teach fingerpainting? I can teach the shit out of fingerpainting," assures exiting Recording Academy boss Neil Portnow boss during a recent GRAMMY Music Education Coalition visit to the Nashville School of the Arts. "You won't regret making me your new substitute teacher. Now, ah, where's the secret faculty lounge?"

We kid, of course. In fact, Neil and team members were savoring the excellence at a school funded by the Coalition, the CMA Foundation, artist Hunter Hayes and the music community at large.

Seen just before their customary morning juice box and nap are JFK Center for the Performing Arts appointee Rusty Reuff, GMEC Exec Director Lee Whitmore, Portnow, Berklee College of Music Prez Roger Brown and ELMA Philanthropies Services Dir. of Music Programs Tarik Ward.

Photo credit: Kyle Somers Visuals