Youth Talent Competition Winner
Our 2012 Youth Talent Competition Winner is Kimberly Zielnicki. 
Austin Burns took second place and Dillon Havins took third.
Currently studying classical under Musician Leah Nelson, Kimberly is Concertmaster at Cedar Ridge High school in Round Rock. Kimberly is also part of Austin based Lost and Nameless Orchestra where she sings, plays fiddle and bass. Kimberly was asked to join the band about 5 years ago after studying violin/fiddle with band member Chris Peterson. The Lost & Nameless Orchestra most recently played official showcases at SXSW & the International Folk Festival in Memphis Tennessee. Kimberly will once again this summer attend the Mark O’ Conner strings camp at Berklee College of music in Boston.
Youth Talent Competition First Place Winners
2002: Spurs of the Moment, featuring Sarah Jarosz (10 years old)
2003: Isaac-Bryant Kids
2004: Ashlee Rose
2005: Justine Blakely & Charlie Pomroy
2006: Samantha Miller
2007: Emily Elbert
2008: The Fireants
2009: Sara Mueller
2010: Minnie & Ella Jordan
2011: Grace London
2012: Kimberly Zielnicki
Youth Talent Competition Information
The purpose of the Youth Talent Competition is to encourage a new generation of Americana roots musicians by offering performance opportunities and exposure at the festival.
Guidelines
Who is eligible. Musicians 18 years old and younger. Bands or vocal groups (maximum of five members per group) and solo acts are eligible.
What to Bring. A maximum performance set of 15 minutes. Songs should be in the Americana roots music tradition — bluegrass, country, blues, gospel or traditional. Only acoustic instruments are permitted — no amplifiers, electronics or drum sets.
Competition will take place on the Old Settler’s Bluebonnet Stage.
Entry Information
Contest Fee There is no additional fee to register for the contest. Please note that festival ticket rules apply — kids 13 and over are charged the same fee as adults with the exception of youth competition participants. Each participant must be accompanied by a paying adult. All guidelines are subject to change without prior notice.
Entry Limit. The number of contestants will be limited to about 10 (a band or vocal group is considered one contestant). Entries will no longer be accepted after the first 10 qualified applicants and 3 alternates have been selected.
A decision will be made no later than March 1st as to who will perform in the Youth Talent Contest
To apply, please fill out our Youth Talent Application .
Prizes
A team of professional artists will select three winners — judges’ decisions are final:
First Place: $200, 45-minute showcase spot on the following year’s festival, a 30-minute show on Saturday, professional feedback on contest performance and special mention from the Hill Country stage.
Second Place: $100, professional feedback on contest performance and special mention from the Hill Country Stage.
Third Place: $50, professional feedback on contest performance and special mention from the Hill Country Stage.
Sign up for festival updates...
The Line Up
THE 2012 LINEUP
Thursday: SHEL, Slim Richey’s Jitterbug Vipers, Steep Canyon Rangers,
Ha Ha Tonka, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Friday: Amos Lee, Railroad Earth, Lissie, Psychograss, James McMurtry, Steep Canyon Rangers, Ha Ha Tonka, The Wheeler Brothers, Pine Leaf Boys, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Youth Competition Winner Grace London
Saturday: Iron & Wine, JJ Grey & Mofro, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Bob Schneider, Sarah Jarosz, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Gaelic Storm, Marshall Crenshaw, The Bottle Rockets, Dale Ann Bradley, Audie Blaylock & Redline, Flounders without Eyes, The Blue Hit, Psychograss (Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Tony Trischka, David Grier, Todd Phillips), New Country Rehab, Greensky Bluegrass
Sunday: Sam Baker, Eilen Jewell, New Country Rehab, Greensky Bluegrass, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Subject to change
