Calvin Hinds, son of Wayland Schools Supt. Dr. Christina and Kevin Hinds, has been named a 2021 National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) finalist as a singer-songwriter, the organization’s highest honor.

A senior at Interlochen Arts Academy in northern Michigan, he is in his in his second year at IAA. Prior to his transfer to IAA, he attended Mattawan Consolidated Schools, specifically Mattawan High School.

Hinds has been accepted to Berklee School of Music in Boston and has applied and is awaiting decisions from three other schools emphasizing in Music: Singer-Songwriter.

The public can watch Hinds perform at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at www.youngarts.org

Hinds has been recognized for his caliber of artistic achievement and joins 659 of the nation’s most accomplished artists in the visual, literary and performing arts. Hinds was selected by a discipline-specific panel of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process.

YoungArts award winners gain access to one of the most comprehensive programs for artists in the United States in which they will have opportunities for financial, creative and professional development support throughout their entire careers.

“YoungArts Executive Director Jewel Malone said, YoungArts “empowers artists to pursue a life in the arts beginning at the critical time when many are faced with decisions about life after high school… This group of extraordinary artists has reminded us yet again that extraordinary artistry is ageless, and I encourage everyone to get to know these faces and names as we will be seeing them for many years to come.”

Hinds will receive a cash prize up to $10,000 and the opportunity to learn from leading artists such as Debbie Allen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Frank Gehry, Wynton Marsalis, Salman Rushdie and Mickalene Thomas. He is also eligible for exclusive creative and professional development support including a wide range of fellowships, residencies and awards:

• Virtual and in-person presentation opportunities in collaboration with major venues nationwide.
• Additional financial support.
• Access to YoungArts Post, a free, private digital network for YoungArts artists to connect, collaborate and learn about additional opportunities.

As a finalist, Hinds will participate in “National YoungArts Week+” this month, featuring virtual classes, workshops and mentorship from leading artists in their fields as well as virtual performances and an exhibition for the public Jan. 25.

Hinds has also been nominated to become a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, one of the highest honors given high school seniors.

As the sole nominating agency, every year YoungArts nominates 60 artists to the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. The Commission then selects the 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

As a YoungArts award winner, Hinds joins a distinguished group of accomplished artists including Daniel Arsham, Terence Blanchard, Camille A. Brown, Viola Davis, Allegra Goodman, Josh Groban, Judith Hill, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Andrew Rannells, Desmond Richardson and Hunter Schafer.