Open High student is National YoungArts Foundation Honorable Mention Receipient in Jazz

Out of approximately 11,000 applications from students in ten disciplines across the literary, performing, visual and design arts fields, Ayinde has been recognized for his outstanding work and accomplishments.

November 24, 2014; 10:53 AM • by Richard Hayes

From the Press Release

Ayinde Williams, 17, a student of Richmond Youth Jazz Guild and Open High School, is a National YoungArts Foundation Honorable Mention Receipient in Jazz. Out of approximately 11,000 applications from students in ten disciplines across the literary, performing, visual and design arts fields, Ayinde has been recognized for his outstanding work and accomplishments. A complete list of this year’s Winners is available online at this link. Ayinde was also a YoungArts Merit Winner in Jazz for 2014.

All Winners receive a certificate of achievement, a recommendation letter, and the choice to be added to the YoungArts Student List Service (SLS). If added, their information will be sent to participating colleges, universities and professional schools. These schools have expressed interest in identifying young artists they may offer opportunities for admission and/or financial aid, and may be in touch with Winners regarding scholarship opportunities.

Winners also become part of the YoungArts alumni network of 17,000 artists, some of whom have gone on to become leading professionals in their fields including actresses Vanessa Williams, Viola Davis, and Kerry Washington; actor, musician, and filmmaker Adrian Grenier; four-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza; CEO of American Ballet Theatre Rachel Moore; recording artists Nicki Minaj, Chris Young and Josh Groban; Metropolitan Opera star Eric Owens; musicians Terence Blanchard and Jennifer Koh; choreographer Desmond Richardson; visual artist Hernan Bas; and internationally acclaimed multimedia artist Doug Aitken. YoungArts maintains a relationship with its alumni by integrating them into national programs and local events, supporting their projects and seeking ways to promote their artistic ideas and establish connections for them with YoungArts’ partners around the country.

YoungArts is the exclusive nominating agency for the U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, the highest honor that can be awarded to any artistically talented graduating high school senior. Every year YoungArts nominates 60 YoungArts Winners to the White House appointed Commission on Presidential Scholars, 20 of whom are then selected to become U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.