The winner of the 2016 VSA Kentucky Ron Billings Emerging Artist Award is Melody Bock-Freeman  of Lexington, KY.

2015-16 VSA Kentucky Young Soloist Winner

Each year VSA Kentucky recognizes outstanding young musicians, ages 14-25 with disabilities and supports and encourages them in their pursuit of a career in music. These emerging musicians receive a $500 educational scholarship, mentoring sessions with professional musicians and performance opportunities.

Gabrielle lives in Lexington, Kentucky. She is a vocal performance major at the University of Kentucky. Gabrielle studied voice during high school winning vocal competitions, participating in All State Choir, ACDA Choir and being a part of the Governor’s School for the Arts.

“I love to act and sing, so I am particularly interested in an opera career. I believe that nothing should hold a person back from their dreams, so I try to take every opportunity that I can to make them happen. Performing has taught me a lot about myself. I am happy to share my gift with others.”

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, supports Arts for All Kentucky with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.