Festival-based non-competitive performance opportunities
for musicians and singers, age 18 and younger, of any skill level.
What We Do
- Mentor young musicians
- Facilitate positive performance experiences in professional settings
- Recognize achievement
- Entertain festival audiences
- Foster community
I still remember the open and friendly environment [Andy and Lauren] created for the young players at the [Walnut Valley] festival. Andy has a remarkable ability to make kids feel welcomed and valued as a person and musical contributors. I’m so glad Acoustic Kids has stayed involved in the community, because not only does it give all these kids good memories, but as they grow up, they’ll remember that their contribution is important.
— Sara Watkins, Nickel Creek
How We Do It
- Work with festivals to give young musicians in their audiences opportunities to play official festival stages
- Organize everything through our online registration process well before the festival starts
- Review all performance demos submitted with registrations
- Structure our showcases to allow all participants to shine whatever their skill level
- Cultivate professionalism
[Acoustic Kids] Showcases have inspired in me the confidence that comes from playing in front of thousands of people and having a successful experience. I can’t overstate how grateful …I am! Andy and Lauren run an extremely tight ship without taking any of the fun out of it.”
— Liam Purcell, artist
Multi-year Acoustic Kids participant and Ambassador at MerleFest
How It Works
- The music festival setting provides an interested, supportive audience.
- Andy—as MC, mentor, and educator—sets the young performers at ease through backstage prep and on-stage dialog.
- Each performer does 1-3 numbers, treating the audience to an Opry-style stream of entertainers.
- Accompanists and band members may be any age.
What We Aren’t
- A competition
- An open mic event
- A traveling show
- A band
- A club
- A jam
- Instrument instruction
Annual Showcases
Take part in an upcoming showcase!
