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YOUTH IN
BLUEGRASS
CONTEST

Give Your Talented Youth

a Stage That Matters

Why This Stage Could Change Everything

At the Youth in Bluegrass Contest, we don’t just celebrate talent. We help students grow in purpose, character, and confidence—on stage and in life.

 

The Mission of Ozark Mountain Music Association is to preserve and promote traditional music of the Ozark's for future generations. Our core values include kinship, appreciation and legacy.

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Where the best young bluegrass musicians find purpose, community, and lifelong opportunity.

Whether you’re a rising fiddle star or a flat-picking prodigy, this is your moment.

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MEET
YOUR
HOSTS

Sophia Wright
& Mary Parker

BluegrassCamp

WHEN

Contest: May 23, 2026

(Memorial Day Weekend)
 

Dress Rehearsal & Party: Friday, May 24, 2026


Where: Branson Event Center

DETAILS 

- 20 Bands will be accepted

- Band members must be 21 years of age or younger (parents can participate but youth must take the lead)

- Applications are Due March 1st.

PRIZES 

1st - $2,500

2nd - $2,000

3rd- $1,500

4th - $1,000

5th - $500

The winner will also get a day in the studio with Dark Shadow Recording!

Check out their site: https://darkshadowrecording.com/

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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Bethel University and Williams Baptist University will be on site, both offering scholarship opportunities for eligible contestants. Each school features a range of performing arts programs, including bluegrass, and students do not need to major in bluegrass to qualify for scholarships.​

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Williams Baptist University

Located in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, Williams Baptist University is a private institution committed to cultivating leaders who live with purpose and make a difference in their lifework. Through the innovative Williams Works program, students gain hands-on experience, graduate with little to no debt, and learn to view work not just as a job, but as a meaningful calling. The university emphasizes tenacity, integrity, and a deep sense of service—equipping students to lead with character in every area of life.

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Bethel University

Located in McKenzie, Tennessee, Bethel University is a private institution known for its commitment to accessible education. The university fosters intellectual, personal, and social growth in a supportive and values-driven environment

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LIVE PERFORMANCES FROM 2025

Relive the energy, the harmonies, and the heart of last year’s unforgettable contest.

P.s. sign up to join them next year!

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