VSA International Young Musicians Program
Program Name
Each year outstanding musicians with disabilities from around the world are selected to participate in the VSA International Young Musicians Program. This opportunity is open to soloists and ensembles of any instrument or genre including classical, jazz, hip-hop, rock and more!
A Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program
Calling musicians with disabilities, ages 14-25!
Each year outstanding disabled musicians from around the world are selected to participate in the VSA International Young Musicians Program. In addition to receiving a $2,000 award, these talented young musicians (ages 14-25) participate in professional development and performance opportunities provided by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
This program is open to U.S. and international musicians (soloists or ensembles) of any genre or instrument, including voice. Multiple winners will be selected by a panel of music professionals.
Learn more and apply online by Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET.
VSA International Young Musicians Program
A Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old do you have to be to enter?
A: You must be between 14 and 25 years old at the time of the application deadline to be eligible.
Q: I’m in a band, does that count?
A: Yes! Any musical ensemble, including bands, of two to five members can enter so long as all members meet the age requirements and at least one member of the ensemble has a disability.
Q: What type of musical selections should I submit?
A: We suggest the following guidelines for selecting musical submissions:
- Video files are suggested but not required. It is not necessary to have your video or audio professionally recorded, but the audio quality should be high.
- Each uploaded file should be a recording of one piece only (multiple movements for a piece are fine).
- Each recording should be 10 minutes or less in length.
- Selected pieces should represent your current musicianship and repertoire. Recordings should be relatively recent (no more than 1 year old).
- Winners perform live. Submit recordings that accurately represent a live performance space.
Q: What qualifies as a disability?
A: Disability is a broad umbrella that covers a variety of lived experiences. Eligible young musicians may have visible, physical, and/or sensory conditions, as well as less visible conditions like anxiety, ADHD, chronic illness/pain, PTSD, dyslexia, neurodivergence, and more. Review definitions of disability associated with the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act.
Q: Will 2024 program activities take place in person?
A: The safety of all program participants is of the utmost importance. Performance and professional development opportunities will take place virtually and/or in person as conditions allow.
Q: I need more information. How do I contact VSA?
A: For more information or to request application materials in an alternative format, we can be reached at 202-416-8898 (voice) or via e-mail at [email protected].
About the Office of Accessibility and VSA
At the Office of Accessibility and VSA, we’re passionate about access to the arts for people with disabilities. To ensure the arts are accessible to all—from children to older adults—we make Kennedy Center performances and facilities accessible to all audiences, and provide resources, programs, and opportunities for educators, cultural administrators, emerging and professional artists and performers with disabilities.
Learn about our upcoming events, programs, resources, and opportunities at kennedy-center.org/vsa. Together we can be a catalyst for change.
Kennedy Center Education
Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation; Annenberg Foundation; the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Bank of America; Bender Foundation, Inc.; Carter and Melissa Cafritz Trust; Carnegie Corporation of New York; DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities; Estée Lauder; Flocabulary; Harman Family Foundation; The Hearst Foundations; the Herb Alpert Foundation; the Howard and Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The King-White Family Foundation and Dr. J. Douglas White; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation;
Music Theatre International; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; the National Endowment for the Arts; Newman’s Own Foundation; Nordstrom; Park Foundation, Inc.; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Prince Charitable Trusts; Soundtrap; The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; and Volkswagen Group of America. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts.
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.