3rd Annual Youth Talent Celebration

A Part of the 96th Mountain Dance & Folk Festival

Members of the Folk Heritage Committee are excited to announce the Second Youth Talent Celebration to be held August 5, 2023, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in conjunction with the 96th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. The event takes place in Lipinsky Hall on the campus of UNC Asheville, the same location for evening performances of the August 4-6 festival. The Saturday afternoon youth showcase is presented free of charge and will serve as great encouragement to the over 50 youth performers scheduled for this year’s event.

Performers range in age from 5 – 18 and will share traditional Blue Ridge music and dance learned from teachers at a variety of programs including the Henderson County JAM (Junior Appalachian Musician) program, Madison County JAM, Transylvania County JAM, Academy for the Arts at First Baptist Asheville, and Durham’s Little River Cloggers. The event is directed by Josh Goforth, a highly accomplished storyteller and old-time, bluegrass, and swing musician. Goforth grew up attending events like this one and is now eager to see a new generation of talent take the stage.

“We are pleased to present this special addition as part of the 96th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, showcasing the talents and vitality of young musicians and dancers,” said Mountain Dance & Folk Festival Co-Chair Judy Miller. “These young men and women and their teachers are at the heart of our efforts to sustain this area’s wonderful heritage of Appalachian music. We invite everyone to enjoy an afternoon of very special music and, like us, take joy as we carry forward traditions so special to this region.”