New York, NY – The Lewis Prize for Music – Guam a philanthropic music arts organization advancing systems change through creative youth development – has selected Guam’s own Vincent Reyes, master of Chamorro dance and director of Inetnon Gef Pa’go Cultural Arts Program as a finalist for the fifth annual Accelerator Awards.
Founded in 2018 by philanthropist Daniel R. Lewis, The Lewis Prize for Music believes young people with access to high-quality music learning, performance, and creation opportunities will mature into thriving individuals.
Inequitable systems often fail to prioritize music learning in young people’s lives. As a result, too many young people are not supported to express themselves creatively. This stifles young people’s potential to become powerful citizens, who through musical pursuits learn to contribute positively to their communities.
By supporting music leaders across the country to continue their great work, The Lewis Prize for Music hopes to inspire other partners to work together to ensure every young person has the opportunity to access transformative music learning, performance, and creation. The Lewis Prize for Music has identified Vincent Reyes of Guam as one of those leaders.
Inetnon Gefpå’go is an award-winning program whose mission is to promote awareness and pride in Chamorro heritage through performance arts. Membership in the group begins in High School where students undergo extensive training to be members of the performing group. Selected students will then continue to represent Guam at major on island events and folk festivals around the world.
“The 11 Finalists for the 2024 Accelerator Awards have smart, articulate, passionate leaders that collaborate with their teams and local leaders to provide adolescents most negatively impacted by inequities with all they need to have productive, exciting and rewarding lives”, says Daniel Lewis, Founder of The Lewis Prize for Music. I am enthusiastic that these organizations focus on developing the artistic, interpersonal and leadership skills as well as the self-confidence, ambition and discipline of their young members to become creative participants in an educated local workforce and a sustainable economy.”
Awardees for The Lewis Prize for Music, which is split into three categories and includes both long-term and single-year support, will be formally announced on Jan. 9, 2024.
The Lewis Prize for Music full finalists lists includes:
Community Music Center of Boston - Boston, MA
Neutral Zone - Ann Arbor, MI
HEAL Center for the Arts - St. Louis, MO
Healthy Hood Chicago - Chicago, IL
BUMP: The Triangle - Durham, NC
Brandon house Cultural & Performing Arts program - Little Rock, AK
White Hall Arts Academy - Los Angeles, CA
Juneau Alaska Music Matters - Juneau, AK
The Bridge Music Project - Olympia, WA
The Roots of Music - New Orleans, LA
“These 2024 Accelerator Award Finalists and Semi-Finalists demonstrate the power of Creative Youth Development music programs to manifest the potential of young people to lead meaningful change in their communities”, says Dalouge Smith, CEO of The Lewis Prize for Music.
“These programs prove that when young people's artistry, cultural heritage, and leadership are nurtured by caring and committed adults, everyone benefits. The Lewis Prize for Music seeks to inspire more investment in these wonderful organizations and the entire creative youth development field across the country.”
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