VSA arts Announces Young Soloists Award Winners
March 13, 2003
Musicians to perform at the Kennedy Center Wednesday, May 21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. - VSA arts, an international organization that provides opportunities in the arts for children and adults with disabilities, today announced the recipients of the 2003 VSA arts Young Soloists Award.
The four young musicians will debut at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on May 21 at 7:30 p.m. The gala evening is sponsored by Panasonic and the Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund.
"We were overwhelmed by the caliber of artists who auditioned for our Young Soloists Award this year," said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. "The four award recipients are already emerging artists and we fully anticipate they will go on to very successful musical careers. These young people stand as a testament to the fact that disability is not a barrier to excellence and that the arts should be available to all."
The 2003 VSA arts Panasonic Young Soloists Award is sponsored by Panasonic and is given each year to musicians who reside in the United States. The recipients are:
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Laura Dodd, a 23-year-old vocalist, model, and actress from Gadsden, Alabama. She has co-hosted her own local television show and has appeared in television and radio commercials. Among her awards, Ms. Dodd has been named Entertainer of the Year at the American Talent Showcase. Ms. Dodd was diagnosed with CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy), a neurological disorder, at the age of 12.
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Janet Ross, a 22-year-old pianist from Amherst, Massachusetts. Ms. Ross is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Piano Performance at the prestigious Indiana University School of Music where she studies with Professor Karen Shaw. While at Indiana University, Ms. Ross has been awarded multiple scholarships and was named the 2001-2002 Chancellors Scholar from the School of Music. Ms. Ross is legally blind.
The Rosemary Kennedy International Young Soloists Award is sponsored by The Kennedy Center Education Department through the Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund and is designated for musicians who reside outside the United States. The recipients are:
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Sara Bentes, a 21-year-old vocalist from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ms. Bentes has won awards at numerous international festivals, most recently at the MPB Festival in Brazil, enjoys performing both Brazilian and international songs, and is currently studying communications at the University, where she writes for the university newspaper, Volta Cultural. Ms. Bentes is blind.
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Nathan Gerardo Meaney Murillo, a 23-year-old flautist from Mexico City. Mr. Meaney began his career as a concert flautist in 1997 and in 1998 was named director of the choir of the Colegio de Ciencias y Humanidades of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, he has performed with a variety of renowned orchestras throughout Mexico in some of the country's premier concert halls.
The VSA arts Young Soloists Award annually recognizes outstanding young musicians with disabilities, ages 25 and under, who have exhibited exceptional talents as vocalists or instrumentalists. Each year, a committee of music professionals selects four award recipients to receive scholarship funds and the opportunity to perform at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Tickets for the performance are $25 and may be purchased from
The Kennedy Center by calling (202) 467-4600 or online at http://www.kennedy-center.org. A reception will be
held immediately following the performance.
About VSA arts
VSA arts is an international non-profit organization founded in 1974 by Jean Kennedy Smith to promote education and lifelong learning opportunities in the arts for people with disabilities. Nearly five million people participate in VSA arts programs annually. Many of them participate in programs sponsored by a worldwide network of affiliate organizations. VSA arts programs in music, dance, drama, creative writing, and the visual arts develop learning skills, encourage independence, and promote access and inclusion. More information may be found at www.vsarts.org
Contact:
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Tanya Travers |
Jeff Samuels |
Chris Hill |
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(F) 202-429-0868