Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SHAPE America Sets the Tone for Its 133rd National Convention With the Belmont Bluegrass Ensemble

RESTON, VA, February 5, 2018 — Celebrating the important role that music can play in health and physical education, SHAPE America ‒ Society of Health and Physical Educators will kick off the Opening General Session of its National Convention & Expo in Nashville with music that will have the 2,000+ session attendees up on their feet and dancing in the aisles: the catchy, feel-good sounds of the Belmont Bluegrass Ensemble. The group will perform at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21 at Music City Center, the primary venue for SHAPE America’s convention

Members of the acoustic ensemble — who are all students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in music from Nashville’s Belmont University — include: Emily Miller-vocals; Kelsey Cate-vocals; Mason Taylor-mandolin/vocals; Brenna Wheeler-fiddle/vocals; Jacob Naggy-guitar/vocals; Jonny Therrien-guitar; Ben Valine-banjo; and Andy Byrd-bass/vocals. The group, which is directed by Tammy Rogers King, performs an array of creative bluegrass music ranging from traditional tunes to more contemporary arrangements.

More than 5,000 health and physical education teachers, researchers and other physical activity professionals are expected to attend the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo, which is the largest event of its kind in the country. The convention, which will take place March 20-24, is held in partnership with SHAPE America Southern District and the Tennessee Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD).

The week kicks off on Tuesday, March 20 with pre-convention professional development workshops, and continues with a daily General Session, more than 300 program sessions for health and physical educators, and hundreds of exhibitors featuring the latest educational and fitness products and services.

For more information about the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo, visit shapeamerica.org/convention and follow #SHAPENashville.

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