VSA arts International Young Soloists Award

About the VSA arts International Young Soloists Award

The VSA arts International Young Soloists Award annually recognizes outstanding young musicians with disabilities and supports and encourages them in their pursuit of a career. All types of music are accepted - country, classical, jazz, rap, rock, bluegrass, world, etc. A committee of distinguished music professionals selects the award recipients who receive $5,000 and the opportunity to perform in Washington, D.C.

Any individual musician (instrumental or vocal) from the United States who has a disability, age 25 and under is eligible to apply. Any individual musician (instrumental or vocal) from outside the United States who has a disability, age 30 and under, is eligible to apply. Application materials will be available in late August 2008 for the 2009 International Young Soloists Award. Check out the 2008 Award Recipients here.

Musical ensembles (two to eight members) are also eligible for the award. This includes any type of ensemble from a rock band to a chamber ensemble to a drum corps. In order to be eligible, at least one member of the ensemble must have a disability. All members of the ensemble must fulfill the age requirements as stated above.