Known around the world as "Music City USA," Nashville is the capital of Tennessee and is a major home for the music industry, not just of the U.S., but the world. Located on the Cumberland River, Nashville is also a major hub for the health care, publishing, and transportation industries. Founded in 1779, the city grew quickly as a major river port and a railroad center. While it was the first state capital to fall to Union troops during the Civil War, the city quickly rebounded after the war and soon became an important shipping and trading center with a solid manufacturing base, which resulted in a newfound prosperity. These healthy economic times left Nashville with a legacy of grand classical-style buildings. 

With the advent of the Grand Ole Opry in 1925, Nashville was on its way to becoming "Music City USA." Country music is not the whole story, however. While the Country Music Hall of Fame is a major attraction, the city also is home to a number of professional sports, including the NFL Tennessee Titans. The arts thrive in Nashville. The Tennessee Performing Arts Center is the home of the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Nashville Children's Theatre, the Nashville Opera, and the Nashville Ballet. The Nashville Symphony Orchestra performs regularly at The Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Museums and galleries can be found around the city, including the renowned Frist Center for the Visual Arts. And history can be found at The Hermitage, home of America's seventh president, Andrew Jackson. Centennial Park, with its full-sized replica of The Parthenon, offers 132 beautiful acres of green space. 

Nashville provides a stimulating environment for budding artists, designers, musicians, and culinarians engrossed in achieving their educational goals.