The 2020 National YoungArts Foundation recognized 686 emerging artists from across the nation. One of those artists is Southlake musician Carys Sutherland.
An Interlochen Arts Academy music senior and French horn player, Carys received an honorable mention in the classical music category in the award program. According to a press release, she’s one of 16 current and former Interlochen Arts Academy students who were recognized by the YoungArts Foundation.
“My experience at Interlochen has been crucial for my music,” Carys says. “It was the first place where I realized there were other people my age that were just as passionate as me, and I felt accepted. Camp showed me that a life in music was not only possible but essential, and the academy has taught me the discipline and hard work necessary to make it so.”
The YoungArts award program aims to identify and support emerging artists ages 15 to 18, according to the media release. The 686 winners from this year’s program represent the top 9.5% of applications from across 10 artistic disciplines. Winners receive financial awards up to $10,000, exclusive opportunities to national scholarships and honors and a chance to study from other notable artists and mentors in their specialty.
“We are thrilled to see artists in the Interlochen community from an array of artistic disciplines recognized by YoungArts," Camille Colatosti, Interlochen Center for the Arts Provost, says via press release. “Our honorees capture the essence of Interlochen's educational experience – the ability to transform passion and potential into purpose.”
Having previously been recognized by the program as a merit winner, Carys says she feels honored to be one of YoungArts’ official winners this year.
“I feel really grateful to have been given all the opportunities I have had so far,” Carys says. “My only goals for myself are to continue practicing and working hard, and seeing what comes from that in the future.”
A full list of the 2020 winners can be viewed online at YoungArts.org.