AVS

Be part of the 2026 AVS Festival Outreach Concert!

Join us for a special outreach concert at the Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry as we share music with the Harrisonburg community, including pantry patrons and the volunteers who serve them.

Sign up: www.americanviolasociety.org/2026-avs-festival-outreach-concert-information

2026 David Dalton Viola Research Competition Call for Submissions

The American Viola Society invites submissions for the 2026 David Dalton Viola Research Competition (DDRC)—a space for scholars, performers, and thinkers to explore the threads that link our instrument to culture, history, identity, and one another. Named in honor of David Dalton, this competition honors a legacy of curiosity, depth, and discovery—encouraging research that doesn’t just inform, but connects.

Awards & Opportunities:
- $1,000 First Prize
- $500 Second Prize
- Sheet music package Third Prize
- Select publication in the Journal of the American Viola Society and invitation to present at an upcoming AVS Festival as an Emerging Scholar
- The Dalton Harmony Prize ($500) specifically recognizes work that uplifts non-canonic, underrepresented, and underserved voices—without affecting eligibility for other awards.

SUBMISSION DETAILS
Submissions must be received by June 1, 2026. Entries should be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word format and represent original, unpublished research on any aspect of the viola.

The DDRC continues to serve as a platform for meaningful scholarship that not only advances knowledge, but also fosters connection—bringing forward new perspectives, uncovering overlooked voices, and strengthening the shared fabric of the viola community.

For full guidelines and submission, please visit the David Dalton Research Competition page: https://www.americanviolasociety.org/dalton-competition/

3 Teachers. 3 Days. Inside the Lesson.

What actually happens in a great lesson?

Not the polished performance.
Not the stage-ready version.
But the real work—the questions, the experiments, the breakthroughs.

This year at the 2026 American Viola Society Festival, we are opening that door.

Our inaugural Teacher-in-Residence Program invites you into the heart of musical growth. Across three days, Peter Slovik, Rose Wollman, and Molly Wilkens-Reed will work one-on-one with students in a true lesson setting—unscripted, exploratory, and deeply human.

Performers can sign up for a 30-minute session to dig into a challenge, refine a technique, or explore new pedagogical perspectives—no polish required. Observers are welcome to drop in, watch the process unfold, and stay for a brief Q&A after each session.

Whether you participate or simply listen, you’ll leave with fresh ideas, new tools, and a deeper understanding of how real learning happens.

Spots are limited for performers—come curious.
More information and the SIgn up sheet can be found HERE: https://tinyurl.com/2026-AVS-TIR

Exhibition of Modern Violas and Bows at the 2026 AVS Festival
June 3-6
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Registration open until April 15

The American Viola Society is delighted to showcase the Exhibition of Modern Violas and Bows at the 2026 AVS Festival, celebrating the artistry and innovation of today’s viola and bow makers. Held June 3–6, 2026 at James Madison University, the exhibition offers festival attendees a rare opportunity to explore, play, and engage with exceptional contemporary instruments in a central exhibition space.

Awards will be presented in two categories: Playability, selected through anonymous voting by festival participants, and Tone, determined through a blind live performance in concert by the extraordinary Daniel Foster, Principal Violist of the National Symphony Orchestra. This culminating tone competition highlights instruments purely by sound, offering makers an unparalleled platform for their work to be heard on its own merits.

Luthiers and archetiers are warmly encouraged to register. Each exhibitor may enter one viola and/or one bow, and all submissions must be original, handcrafted works. Winners and selected participants will be chosen by the EMVB Committee--including Bill Scott, Jr., 2026 Luthier-in-Residence--to take part in the 2026 AVSF Instrument Makers and Restoration Panel, offering additional visibility and professional engagement within the viola community.

We invite makers and performers alike to join us in honoring the essential role of lutherie and archeterie in shaping the future of the viola.

Full guidelines are now available here: https://tinyurl.com/2026-EMVB-Guidelines Registration is available on the Exhibition and Modern Violas & Bows Contract page: https://tinyurl.com/2026-EMVB-Conract

Apply for the 2026 AVS Educator Mini-Grant Program supporting viola pedagogy and education today! This program invests in viola teachers, providing our valuable educators with funding that they feel would enhance the quality and/or scope of their teaching. We strongly encourage applicants to submit proposals for new creative educational projects.

Deadline: April 1, 2026

Possible Educational Uses for Mini-Grant Funding:

Developing new programs for students
Commissioning new repertoire for students
Pedagogical/teaching supplies (one-time large investments)
Travel support to educational events
Seed money for larger projects
Professional development/continuing education for teachers (i.e., Suzuki teacher training, Rolland certification, string pedagogy workshop tuition, etc)
The following activities are not eligible for this round of AVS Educator Mini-Grants:

Expenses related to performance activities or recordings
Student tuition (summer festivals, degree programs)
Other student-related expenses
This program is open to current AVS members only. Applicants must have a current AVS membership at the time of both the application and award. Mini-grant recipients from the previous year are not eligible to apply.

PROPOSAL APPLICATION SUBMISSION FORM: https://tinyurl.com/2026-Mini-Grants

For your reference, here is a copy of the selection rubric that the committee will use to evaluate proposals here: https://tinyurl.com/Mini-Grant-Rubric
All program mini-grant recipients will be asked to submit a follow up report 3 months after the conclusion of their project. If no report is submitted, the recipient may lose the opportunity to apply for future funding.

Questions? Please contact [email protected].

Haven’t registered for AVS Festival yet? Consider going beyond attendance - be part of the volunteer team!

Benefits include:
• Complimentary housing
• Free admission to evening concerts
• Reduced festival registration fee
• Admission to the final reception
• AVS swag and professional experience

Deadline: April 17, 2026
Learn more here: https://www.americanviolasociety.org/2026-avs-festival-volunteer-information/

Early Bird through THIS Sunday, March 15!

Register for the 2026 AVS Festival:
June 3–6, 2026
James Madison University

Signature Artists include:
Emad Zolfaghari
Victoria Chiang
Janelle Fung
Rudolf Haken
David Perry
Lynne Ramsey
Marina Thibeault
Thomas Weaver

https://www.americanviolasociety.org/2026-avs-festival-early-bird-registration-open/

Early Bird Registration ends on March 15th for the 2026 American Viola Society Festival!

Visit our festival pages for full event information, including performers, presenters, masterclass artists, competitions, exhibitors, luthiers, and much more!
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2026-AVS-Festival-Registration

June 3-6, 2026
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

All attendees must register, with reduced rates for students, seniors, and collaborators:

Regular Adult:
Early Bird: $325
Late: $360
On-Site: $400

Senior Adult / Student:
Early Bird: $150
Late: $175
On-Site: $200

Day Passes (On-Site Only):
Regular: $125
Senior/Student: $50

Collaborator / Family Badge:
$50/day

We look forward to seeing you this summer in Virginia!

Announcing our 2026 AVS Educator Mini-Grant Program supporting viola pedagogy and education. This program invests in viola teachers, providing our valuable educators with funding that they feel would enhance the quality and/or scope of their teaching. We strongly encourage applicants to submit proposals for new creative educational projects.

Possible Educational Uses for Mini-Grant Funding:

Developing new programs for students
Commissioning new repertoire for students
Pedagogical/teaching supplies (one-time large investments)
Travel support to educational events
Seed money for larger projects
Professional development/continuing education for teachers (i.e., Suzuki teacher training, Rolland certification, string pedagogy workshop tuition, etc)
The following activities are not eligible for this round of AVS Educator Mini-Grants:

Expenses related to performance activities or recordings
Student tuition (summer festivals, degree programs)
Other student-related expenses
This program is open to current AVS members only. Applicants must have a current AVS membership at the time of both the application and award. Mini-grant recipients from the previous year are not eligible to apply.

Application info: Link in bio!

Deadline: April 1, 2026