Kennedy Center VSA Young Soloists Award
Scholarship Sponsored by Kennedy Center
Annually since 1984, outstanding musicians with disabilities from around the world have been selected to participate in the Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program. This opportunity is open to musicians performing using any instrument or in any genre including classical, jazz, hip-hop, rock and more!
About the Program
Since 1984, outstanding disabled musicians from around the world have been selected to participate in the Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program. In addition to receiving financial stipends, these talented young musicians (ages 14-25) participate in professional development workshops, networking events, and performance opportunities.
This program is open to U.S. and international musicians of any genre or instrument, including voice. Multiple winners will be selected by a panel of industry professionals.
The program includes:
- Sessions with a professional mentor
- Performance opportunity
- Exclusive workshops covering key music business-related topics
- Networking opportunities
2027 Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program
Annually since 1984, outstanding young musicians with disabilities from around the world have received the Access/VSA International Young Musicians Award; financial stipends; performance and professional development opportunities including individual mentorship provided by the program. This career development program is open to musicians of any instrument or genre.
All genres of music are accepted, including but not limited to classical, jazz, hip-hop, rap, rock/alt rock, pop, indie, bluegrass, folk, country, R&B/blues, and world. All instruments, including voice, are accepted.
*PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES COMPLETELY BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS*
Upon request, parents and legal guardians of Minors will have the opportunity to review the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) collected regarding their Minors, make corrections, revoke consent, and request deletion. A parent or legal guardian shall not be subject to any discrimination for making such requests. If a parent or legal guardian would like to review the PII collected and used by the Kennedy Center, revoke consent or request deletion, please contact: [email protected] .
Eligibility:
To be eligible to apply for the Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program you must meet all of the following criteria:
- This program is open to Domestic Applicants (U.S. citizens and legal residents of the U.S.); and International Applicants (non-U.S. citizens, including citizens of other countries living in the U.S. such as those on student visas.) Program activities are conducted in English and/or ASL.
- Applicant must be a musician with a disability.
- Applicant must be aged 14-25. Applicants must not be younger than 14 or older than 25 at the time of the application deadline.
- Previous winners of the Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program may not apply. Applicants are welcome to apply every year until they win or age out of the program.
- If selected, winners must be present for ALL workshops, rehearsals, and performances in order to accept the award and receive associated financial stipends (full group virtual activities will occur February 20 and March 6, 2027; D.C. activities will occur March 18-21, 2027; additional virtual activities will be scheduled in consultation with the musician and their assigned individual mentor).
- If selected as a finalist, applicants are required to provide proof of age and disability. U.S. applicants must also supply proof of Right to Work in the U.S. as well. Learn more about I-9 eligible documents. If selected as a winner, applicants must be willing to publicly disclose that they have a disability for all materials and public appearances associated with the Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program.