An Information Bulletin for Visual Artists Provided by VSA arts Spring 2005 VSA arts the spotlight Letter from the Director 2 We need your feedback! Young Soloists Grow Up 3 Catching up with previous winners. From Session Musician to Onstage with Stevie Wonder 4 Raul Midon stakes his claim on pop music. Newsletter Survey 5 Let us know what you think about this publication. VSA arts Affiliate Gets Creative to Create Funding 7 Minnesota affiliate runs a granting program with arts foundation. Two Pianists Take Top Honors at 2005 Young Soloists 8 Two talented teens debut at Kennedy Center. VSA arts The Spotlight is an information bulletin for performing artists provided by VSA arts. Elena Widder Director of Performing Arts, VSA arts Irene Bonham Performing Arts Coordinator, VSA arts Written and Edited by Alexandra Clyburn, Washington, D.C. Designed by kaze design, Washington, D.C. VSA arts 1300 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 700 Washington, D.C. 20036 Ph: 800.933.8721 TTY: 202.737.0645 web: www.vsarts.org e-mail: webmaster@vsarts.org VSA arts offers Spotlight-Online, an online monthly listserv that features opportunities, calls for art, and VSA arts' news. To subscribe, send a message to listmanager@vsarts.org with the following text: "subscribe spotlight-online" letter from the director We Need Your Feedback After over a decade of service at VSA arts, I have seen many young, aspiring artists grow up throughVSA arts programs. They enter into the performing arts world encouraged by their parents, our affiliates, or a caring teacher. Often, the arts unlock a door to learning, social experiences, and self esteem. Several artists decide to pursue the arts as their life's work-charting a course for a career and professional acclaim. And in between, VSA arts-both nationally and through our affiliate network and programs-serves to provide the encouragement, advice, and opportunity to let the artist within take shape. In this issue, you'll find updates from several of the former recipients of the VSA arts Young Soloists Award, a program that identifies emerging young musicians with disabilities, ages 25 and under, who demonstrate promise in instrumental or vocal music. You'll also find a compelling interview with Raul Midon, a singer/songwriter who is about to make it big in the music industry. Read about how he got his start, and what stirs his passion as a songwriter. And, you'll find a lot of great leads on grants and identifying funding to keep up with your goals. Make sure to check our Web site at: http://www.vsarts.org/x621.xml for additional leads and resources. Most importantly, I urge you to complete and mail the enclosed survey in the postage paid envelope. Please take 10 minutes to voice your opinions about our work. We rely on your ideas and insights to inform our programming,and it's critical that you let us know about the usefulness and importance of this publication in your career. What is most helpful to you? What could we do better? If this were the last issue you received, what would you miss the most? Keep up the great work, Elena Widder Director, Performing Arts Young Soloists Grow Up Catching Up With Previous Winners For 21 years, VSA arts has recognized outstanding young musicians (age 25 and under) with the Young Soloists Award. With the co-sponsorship of Panasonic and the Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund through the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Education Department, a distinguished committee of music professionals selects the recipients who receive the award. Recipients are given monetary awards and the opportunity to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This year's recipients are pianist and vocalist Patrick Henry Hughes and classical pianist Tomoko Endo. They appeared in concert at the Kennedy Center on May 16. For more information about Hughes and Endo, see the story on page 8. VSA arts recently caught up with a few past winners. For everyone contacted, the award has served as a source of motivation and a legitimate door opener for gigs and other opportunities. Tony DeBlois, pianist vocalist 1992 honoree Since 1992, DeBlois spends most of his time onstage. He has been performing as much as 200 concerts a year, including a solo concert tour from Boston to South Dakota. Once a month, DeBlois plays a jazz brunch with a band in Boston and he's in a rock band called Good Nuff. His latest CD, Songs for my Mother, will be released this fall. DeBlois says that music is his first language. When he first started at the Berklee College of Music, he wasn't able to engage in conversational speech. He now does interviews by himself. DeBlois' celebrity transcends his stage performance to include his personal story. He has just signed a publishing contract with Rodale Press to write his life story. Legacy of Love will be co authored with his mother and Antonia Felix and will be released this October. The Lifetime cable TV channel frequently shows Journey of the Heart, the movie of his life starring Cybil Shepard. His award funds helped him buy a computer and build a database of fans and friends-a mailing list that now includes 2,500 people. www.tonydeblois.com Justin Mackewich, violinist 2001 honoree Mackewich recently became the youngest violinist ever hired by the Oregon Symphony. He took a leave from school to play full-time in the 2003-2004 season. He has returned to school to study violin performance at the San Francisco Conservatory. Mackewich said that the scholarship helped cover his freshman tuition at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music. "It was a thrill to perform at Kennedy Center and a wonderful achievement to add to my resume," said Mackewich. "I can't imagine my life without my music. It has made me the person that I am. Even when I am ill, my music takes me to a better place." Stephanie Dawn Stomberg, vocalist 1995 honoree After graduating from high school and pursuing additional training at the Lighthouse for the Blind in Duluth, Stomberg launched her professional music career. She logged three years on the road in a music ministry, performing almost 500 concerts with her family. The scholarship funds helped enable Stomberg, who is now 24, to record a CD and covered some travel and promotional expenses associated with her performance. This past August, she performed the National Anthem at a Minnesota Twins baseball game. Stomberg loved how the Young Soloists Award allowed her to connect with other artists with disabilities. "It was a positive and unforgettable experience. Music allows me to express myself in ways I could not have otherwise." Mikko Herranen, vocalist 2001 honoree Since winning his award, Herranen has achieved what most young people only dream about. "I'm a rock star!" he says. Herranen plays in two successful Finnish bands-he is a singer in Rust and plays drums in Velcra. Both bands have released albums and tour Finland, Germany and England. On the side, Herranen also records and produces other bands as well. "All in all, everything is going on fantastically," he said. "After many years I am finally making my dreams come true. I am a rock star for a living!" Herranen was studying in a pop and jazz conservatory but quit when he realized rock music didn't require any schooling, other than the lessons learned on the road. With the scholarship funds awarded him by the Young Soloists competition, Herranen was able to buy a 24-track hard-disk recorder. "I finally got my hands on a 'real studio,'" said Herranen. "Without that recorder, many great albums would not have been done," he said, including his own Rust album, "Softly." He is grateful to VSA arts for the opportunities the Young Soloists Award provided him. "The most important thing both personally and professionally is that, thanks to the Young Soloists Award, I've had the chance to visit the United States twice. Professionally, that translates to a measure of respect because not all bands or artists here have that chance. Personally, I've spent two of the coolest weeks ever in my life in Washington, D.C." Tony DeBlois, 1992 Young Soloist Stephanie Dawn Stomberg, vocalist From Session Musician to Onstage with Stevie Wonder Raul Midon Stakes His Claim on Pop Music Songwriter Raul Midon is hoping that this is the year the rest of the public find out what the music industry and the critics are buzzing about-that his percussive, soulful performance is the hot sound for 2005. His second album, "State of Mind," was released June 7, and Midon feels like this is the strongest album of his career."These are the best songs that I've ever done," he said. "Most importantly, we've captured my sound. This record is authentic and true to what I do live." His live show is deceptively simple-just Midon onstage with his songs and a guitar, but his rhythmic improvisational style and unique voice captivate audiences. (For a glimpse of him onstage, visit www.midon.com to play a clip of his performance on the Millennium Stage of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.) Midon largely credits the people he worked with for the success of this recording experience. He recorded his CD for Manhattan/EMI and worked with legendary producer Arif Mardin and Mardin's son, Joe. Other artists who Mardin has produced include Aretha Franklin, Chaka Kahn, and jazz phenom Norah Jones. "I was working with people who had such intelligence and confidence," said Midon. They allowed Midon to play his music his way rather than trying to pigeonhole it into an established expectation of a pop song. "Half the challenge is in your mind," says Midon. "In the music industry, there can be such narrow ideas of what will work." Midon's music goes beyond a simple definition because it incorporates so many styles of music-pop, jazz, R&B, soul-many in the industry avoid what they can't readily label for radio. But he's optimistic about the future. "I'm not alone. So much music is fed by so many things, so many genres. Music is increasingly becoming 'genre-vague' which can help," he said. Discovering Dad's Records Midon first fell in love with music as a young boy playing DJ with his twin brother, and his genre was definitely jazz. He and his brother had grown tired of playing and replaying the few albums they shared, so they snuck into his father's collection. Midon's father, a dancer, had already turned them on to the folk music of his Argentine home, and when Raul put on an LP of Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, he was hooked. From then on, he would pore over his father's jazz collection every day. "My father was so behind everything we did, and he was so alert to encouraging our interests," said Midon. From these early "radio shows" using a Mr. Microphone and a ham radio, the twins each made their claim on a passion: Midon became a self-described "jazz snob," and his brother Marco became a scientist for NASA. Midon studied jazz at the University of Miami, but upon graduation realized that his professional opportunities were meager. "A friend and I noticed that the faculty who taught us were playing weddings," he said. "I didn't want to be working restaurant gigs my whole life, or pumping gas to get by." So he set aside his previously held opinions of pop music-that it was infantile and stupid, basically-and started analyzing the songs of some of the greats. He listened to Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, The Band, Bob Dylan, and realized that a great pop song is a hard thing to write. "It awakened my appreciation for great pop music," he said. "Just because you have an education in music, it doesn't mean you can write a great pop song." Regardless of the challenge, he dedicated himself to the effort. "In songwriting, there is a line between saying something new and being accessible. You have to connect with people, and that's the challenge of pop," he said. From Background to Foreground Midon regularly played gigs around Miami, and happened into a lucrative side career as well: background vocalist. He filled in for a friend one day in a studio session, and it became a steady source of income for years. His voice can be heard on the recordings of major pop stars, including Enrique Iglesias and Shakira. Despite his success as a session musician, he never stopped performing his own material. "As a session musician, you're tabula rasa. I'd go in and do what they tell me. It could be satisfying to achieve that, and I worked with great people," said Midon, "but I see now how critical it was that I continued to write my music and perform." "If you only do the session stuff-and don't do your own thing-you'll lose it. You'll lose your personal voice. It's an identity-less job." During this time, Midon did not tour. "As a session musician, if you're on the road, you're losing money." His experience with the Shakira tour showed him that he wanted to do more, and that his blindness would not be an insurmountable obstacle to touring. Midon relocated to New York City, where he's rejuvenated by how receptive audiences are to original music. "In Miami I had to sneak my songs in between covers of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder," he said. "Here, there are so many rooms to play where people only want to hear original music." In 2003, Midon performed at the United Nations in conjunction with a VSA arts exhibit of artwork by artists with disabilities. He landed his contract with EMI Manhattan through a performance as well-but this time it was in the office of Arif Mardon. Armed only with his guitar, Midon played a few songs while Mardon sat at his desk. When Mardon left to gather the rest of the company to hear him play more, Midon knew he was in good shape. The years of live performance had paid off. Marketing with His Eyes Open Mardon signed Midon and produced the record. He also helped him arrange one of the highlights on the album-a collaboration with Stevie Wonder, a musician Midon has worshiped his entire life. "I was so honored that he listened to my music and chose to work with me," he said. Wonder's yes came at the very last minute, when the record was nearly done, and the recording session happened in two studios on opposite sides of the country. Wonder plays harmonica on a track called "Expressions of Love." Despite the distance, Midon said the results are perfect. "That's the confirmation of someone with talent like him," said Midon. "You just let him play what he wants to play. Let them use their own instincts and get out of the way." After the collaboration, Wonder invited Midon to perform at his annual charity event, "A Houseful of Toys," at the Los Angeles Forum. Midon shared the stage with Wonder and they played the track they recorded together. Naturally, Wonder's involvement creates a huge marketing opportunity for Midon, another reason he is grateful. And the media will doubtless grab on to the fact that both men are blind. A recent piece about the collaboration in Rolling Stone magazine called Midon a "blind performer" in the headline. The label does not necessarily irritate Midon. "I view it pragmatically. In the music business, you have to constantly ask yourself, 'How do I stand out?' Sure, everyone's voice is different, but anything you can bring to the table helps. I'd like to think I bring a hell of a lot more than blindness, but it does have a commercial appeal. I hate to be crass, but it's true." In addition, Midon believes his blindness brings a perspective to his music as a writer. For example, the song "All in Your Mind" on the new record is about what it's like for Midon to imagine every facet of the visual world. "In a sense, my images of the world are all in my mind, because I've never really seen it." (He and his brother have been blind from birth.) He thinks his blindness is also what drew him to Stevie Wonder at such an early age. "Granted, he led a very different life than me, but in some ways, there are experiences only the blind can know." Wonder was not the only high-profile collaboration on the album. Pop star Jason Mraz performs a song with Midon on the record, and they recently wrapped a 27-date tour together. Opening for Mraz gave Midon the priceless opportunity to play solo before 1,200-3,000 people. His own tour begins this spring, and he'll also open for Al Green this spring and summer. To hear clips of Midon's music online, go to www.giantstep.net, or visit his Web site at www.midon.com. Midon will be appearing on June 9 in McPhereson Square in Washington, D.C., as part of VSA arts' Start with the Arts Family Festival. Raul Midon "My father was so behind everything we did, and he was so alert to encouraging our interests," "In the music business, you have to constantly ask yourself, 'How do I stand out?' " "In a sense, my images of the world are all in my mind, because I've never really seen it." newsletter survey Help VSA arts Improve Our Communication With You VSA arts welcomes your feedback on the semi-annual newsletters, The Palette and The Spotlight. The Palette and The Spotlight are printed newsletters that are published twice a year and circulated to members of the VSA arts Artists Registry. These free publications serve as a resource for technical assistance, career development, grant opportunities, and articles related to the arts and disability. Your comments provide valuable insight into the usefulness and importance of these publications. Please take a few minutes to respond to the following survey that should take about 10 minutes to complete. A self-addressed, stamped envelope has been provided for returning your survey via U.S. Mail. You may also fax your response to VSA arts at 202.737.0725. We would like all surveys to be returned at your earliest convenience, but no later than Friday, July 29, 2005. Thank you in advance for your participation! Do you read The Palette and/or The Spotlight? Yes No If YES, go to Section 1. If NO, why not? Ease of access to accessible formats Features do not interest me Too busy Other (please explain):____________________ Skip to Section 2. Section 1. Content What is the best description of how you use the publication: Thoroughly read, front to back Skim all features Read a feature then store or toss Other (please explain):____________________ Please check ALL the reasons why you read the publication: Identify Web resources and URLs Identify funding sources and grants. Get information on VSA arts and its affiliate network. Other (please describe):__________________ Learn how to find exhibition and presenting opportunities. Learn from the experiences of artists and performers through interviews. Determine how to collect SSI/SSDI benefits and continue to sell/produce my work. Receive specific advice on taking slides, portfolio development, headshots, etc. What is your favorite feature? Artist/performer interviews Web resources Features about VSA arts national initiatives Updates on VSA arts services for artists Technical Assistance and business advice Other: _________________________________ Stories about the work VSA arts is doing in the field through our affiliates Interviews with other service providers (i.e. Social Security, Creative Capital, Arts in Healthcare) Why? What feature do you like the least? Artist/performer interviews Web resources Features about VSA arts national initiatives Updates on VSA arts services for artists Technical Assistance and business advice Other: _________________________________ Stories about the work VSA arts is doing in the field through our affiliates Interviews with other service providers (i.e. Social Security, Creative Capital, Arts in Healthcare) Why? Have you applied for an opportunity, fellowship or grant that was listed in the newsletter(s)? Yes No If YES, which ones? Were you successful? Yes No Have you used any of our tips in your career as an artist? Yes No If YES, which ones? Were you successful? Yes No How important is the publication to you? very important not very important somewhat important not at all important neutral How useful are the articles in The Palette and The Spotlight? very useful not very useful somewhat useful not at all useful neutral Do you keep The Palette and/or The Spotlight for future reference? Yes No Would you recommend The Palette and/or The Spotlight as a resource to other artists who have disabilities? Yes No If NO, why not? Does the content address your interests and needs as an artist with a disability? Please explain why or why not. What other types of articles would you like to see in future newsletters? Section 2. Electronic Format Would you read The Palette and/or The Spotlight if it were ONLY an electronic publication? Yes No If NO, go to Section 3. What best describes your level of electronic access? Own my own computer and use it frequently without much interruption Own my own computer, but my access is slow (i.e. dial up, connection speed frustrating) Minimal access to a computer (i.e. visit the library or log on through a friend's computer) I don't use a computer. Have you visited web sites listed in The Palette and/or The Spotlight? Yes No If YES, which ones? Section 3. Personal Information (OPTIONAL) Name: E-Mail: Web site: Telephone: What other arts publications do you read? Art in America Art Calendar Kaleidoscope Opening Stages Other:____________________ Would we be able to contact you concerning this survey or any of your answers? Yes No Please return your survey in the envelope provided as there is no need to affix postage. You may also fax your survey back to us at 202.737.0725. Thank you very much for your time and response. VSA arts Affiliate Gets Creative To Create Funding Minnesota Affiliate Runs A Granting Program With Arts Foundation From his early career working as a music therapist/ educator with young people with disabilities, Craig Dunn, Executive Director of VSA arts of Minnesota, knew that without role models for his students to aspire toward, all artistic education was a dead end. The Jerome Foundation, a granting organization based in Minneapolis, knows that partnering with other organizations and foundations to do "regranting programs" is an ideal way to build strong roots in the larger artistic community. When the two came together in 1996, they developed a program for adult artists with disabilities that is helping foster the early careers of emerging artists in Minnesota. The Artist Recognition Grant program serves as an innovative role model for funding adult artists with disabilities. The Jerome Foundation, created by artist and philanthropist Jerome Hill, makes grants to support the creation and production of new artistic work by emerging artists in Minnesota and New York City. The foundation has many programs with other organizations, but almost all are discipline-based. When the Minnesota affiliate approached them about making one for all artists but specifying it as disability-based, they were keenly aware of the need and the value of such a program. "The Jerome Foundation knew that artists with disabilities were out there but they knew that frequently, because of obstacles to education and opportunities, these artists might not be competitive," said Dunn. Dunn is proud that the grants provide opportunities that wouldn't otherwise be present. The grants frequently go to artists who are very early in their careers. These artists would not be granted from most other organizations. Six artists each year receive $1,000, with no strings attached. All VSA arts of Minnesota asks is that the recipients send a letter of thanks to the Jerome Foundation. An upside for the affiliate is that the artists often become active in the other programs operated by the affiliate or VSA arts, such as artist residencies and festivals. Many past winners also serve on the selection panel for the grant. "We like to enlist their support, and it's a surefire way to make sure that disability issues are represented on the panel," said Dunn. Disability only needs to be identified-the level to which applicants are disabled or their integration of their disability in their artwork is immaterial. "A lot of panelists, including those with disabilities, want to know more about the applicant's disability-how it effects their ability to do their work, for instance," said Dunn. "But we don't talk about that. We judge each applicant on three criteria, and merit of work is 60%, regardless of disability." The other two criteria are 20% based on the ideas expressed in the Artist Statement and 20% based on their Resumé/History of Work/Other background. As for whether the Jerome Foundation is satisfied, "They keep funding us every year-that's the feedback." www.mn.vsarts.org www.jeromefdn.org. Featured pianist Tomoko Endo performing at the John F. Kennedy Center in May. Story found on opposite page. photo: Scott Suchman Two Pianists Take Top Honors at 2005 Young Soloists Two Talented Teens Debut at Kennedy Center Patrick Henry Hughes and Tomoko Endo are this year's recipients of the VSA arts Panasonic Young Soloists Award. The two performed at a concert celebrating their achievement at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC this May. Patrick Henry Hughes has aspired to win the National Young Soloists Award for several years. He's been the recipient of the Kentucky affiliates' Young Soloists Award since 2001. Hughes has had a passion for the piano ever since his father began teaching him to play when his son was only nine months old. He now studies with Juilliard graduate Hinda Ordman. He has performed around the country, including twice at the Grand Ole Opry. He's shared the stage with country music stars like Pam Tillis, Chad Brock, Lane Brody, and Faith Hill. Hughes was even interviewed by People Magazine when he won this year's Young Soloists Award-the article appeared in the May 23rd edition. A junior in high school, he is as dedicated to his academic career as his musical one. He has maintained a 3.99 average, speaks Spanish fluently, and has twice received the Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. Tomoko Endo is only a senior in high school, but she has studied piano around the world. She currently studies under an adjunct pianist of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., but has taken lessons in her native Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. She has been the first prize honoree in classical piano competitions at Interlochen, in the Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association's piano concerto competition, and the Alexandria Performing Arts Association's third annual youth music competition in Alexandria, Virginia. She is also a member of the Friday Morning Music Club, a music appreciation organization in Washington, D.C., and was awarded first place during their annual competition. Tomoko is an active chamber musician and participated in the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute concert in July of 2002. Recently, she performed a trio for piano, violin, and horn on the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Millennium Stage. This fall she will be attending the Royal College of Music in London, England. Patrick Hughes performing on Capitol Hill in March. Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities Initiative In collaboration with VSA arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Arts and Disability Center at UCLA is administering a national initiative that provides support and technical assistance to State Arts Agencies and their VSA arts affiliate to convene a Statewide Forum on Careers in the Arts. The purposes of the Statewide Forums are two fold: 1) to assess the education and career needs and barriers for artists and arts administrators with disabilities; and 2) to develop and implement strategies to overcome barriers and advance careers in the arts for individuals with disabilities. The following states were selected to convene statewide forums for the 2005 year: Arizona, Florida, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Ohio. To learn more about the forums, visit www.nadc.ucla.edu/StatewideForums.cfm. "Shifting Gears":Call for Entries Deadline: July 15, 2005 VSA arts is pleased to announce the launch of "Shifting Gears", a national juried exhibit for young artists with disabilities. The program is made possible with the generous assistance of Volkswagen of America, Inc. Through the call for entries, we hope to identify emerging young artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, who demonstrate promise in the visual arts. The VSA arts\VW program is now in its fourth year, and includes an awards reception on Capitol Hill for the finalists during September 2005, and a touring exhibit that debuts at the Smithsonian during the fall. You may find additional information at www.vsarts.org/x267.xml. Thank you for helping us spread the word to young artists who might be interested! An Information Bulletin for Performing Artists Provided by VSA arts Spring 2005 VSA arts "In songwriting, there is a line between saying something new and being accessible. You have to connect with people, and that's the challenge of pop." Raul Midon Singer/songwriter featured on page 4 VSA arts 818 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 600 Washington, D.C. 20006