Young Soloists Award Competition
Since 1984, the VSA arts International Young Soloists Program has been seeking to identify talented musicians who have a disability. The VSA arts International Young Soloists Award is given annually to four outstanding musicians, two from the United States and two from the international arena. The award provides an opportunity for these emerging musicians to each earn a $5,000 award and a performance in Washington, D.C.
Any individual musician (instrumental or vocal) living in Alabama who has a disability, age 25 and under, is eligible to apply. Applications from ensembles are also accepted. All types of music are encouraged, including but not limited to rock, pop, indie, classical, country/folk, jazz, R&B/blues, hiphop/rap, Latin, and world. Each October, guidelines and applications are issued, with the live competition traditionally occurring in December in Birmingham. The winner and runner-up reign for the following year. Please contact the Program Manager for more information.
VSA arts of Alabama is one of very few state affiliates who implements its Young Soloists competition in front of 3 judges and a live audience. Each state forwards its top two contestants to the national competition for consideration. In 2003, the Alabama Young Soloists Award Winner, Laura Dodd, was one of the two contestants chosen to win the national competition! She has even released her own country music album since then. The VSA arts of Alabama Young Soloists Award Competition is comparable to the “American Idol” for people with disabilities in Alabama. It is a very exciting, heartwarming music event!
2010 PARTICIPANTS:
Erica Barnes / vocalist (Birmingham)
Kierra Bell / vocalist (Talladega)
Micaela Burney / violist (Huntsville)
Anna Calhoun / vocalist (Birmingham)
Joseph Dumas / vocalist & pianist (Talladega) - 2010 Young Soloists Winner
Raymond Guajardo / vocalist (Slocomb)
Cody Allen Shelby / vocalist (Berry)
Tyler Spann / pianist (Opp) - 2010 Young Soloists Runner-Up
Allison Tucker / vocalist (Union Springs)
Zachary Welborn / pianist (Pelham)
Tradonte Williams / vocalist (Lafayette)
View this year’s program: Young Soloists 2010 Program
