Grammy Museum, Inspire EDU Launch Music Production and Performance Certification for Students

The Grammy Museum has partnered with Inspire EDU to launch a new Music Production and Performance Certification aimed at equipping students with practical music industry skills, professional guidance and recognised credentials.  

The Grammy Museum Music Production and Performance Certification: Level 1 is a portfolio-based programme designed to give students hands-on experience in creating, protecting and promoting their music. Through the initiative, learners will receive professional feedback from music industry partners on every assignment.

The certification is available to schools and school districts through Inspire EDU’s Learning Management System, bringing the Grammy Museum’s industry expertise and practical knowledge directly into the classroom.

The Level 1 programme comprises three digital badges, each offering a standalone, shareable credential. These include Creator, which introduces students to music production through experimentation, artist analysis and reflection; Protector, which develops their understanding of intellectual property, copyright, licensing and fair use; and Promoter, which helps students build personal branding assets and portfolios that communicate their artistic identities.

Each badge costs $65 per student, while learners who successfully complete all three earn the Level 1 certification.

“The Grammy Museum helps bridge the gap by giving students direct exposure to the many pathways that exist within the music industry. Young people often know they love music, but they may not always know what a music career can actually look like beyond being on stage,” said Arin Canbolat, vice president of education and community engagement at the Grammy Museum. “This certification gives students a meaningful way to show what they’ve learned through music industry education and gives teachers a standards-aligned path to bring real industry practice into their classrooms.”

“As a working musician, I know the moments that shape you most are the ones when someone in the industry hears your work and tells you the truth about it,” said Mike Packer, founder and president of Inspire EDU. “That’s the experience we wanted for every student in this program. Today’s artists need to do more than make great music. They need to own it and know how to share it with the world. This certification teaches all three, with feedback from working professionals at every step. Partnering with the Grammy Museum, which represents the very best of our industry, is a proud moment for Inspire EDU, and it means students finish with a credential that carries real weight.”

Other features of the certification include professional feedback from music industry partners on every student submission and three stackable digital badges that lead to the Grammy Museum Level 1 certification.

The credentials are compliant with Open Badges 3.0 standards, allowing students to showcase their achievements with colleges, prospective employers and through online portfolios. The programme is also aligned with ACTE Pathway and Cluster Standards, covering key competencies in creative development, music production, copyright, intellectual property, branding and storytelling.

Students and educators will have single sign-on access to the programme through Inspire EDU’s Learning Management System.

Schools and districts can now enrol students in the certification programme. Student submissions are assessed three times annually, with deadlines in October, January and April. The next submission deadline is 15 January 2027.