FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 3, 2025
CONTACT:
Virginia Commission for the Arts
Colleen Dugan Messick, Executive Director
colleen.messick@vca.virginia.gov
Richmond, VA | The Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA) announces a new cohort of artists and ensembles to its celebrated statewide Touring Artist Roster:
- After Jack | Traditional & Folk | Ferrum
- BJ Griffin | Soul, Funk, & Jazz | Virginia Beach
- Mill Mountain Theatre | Children’s Theatre | Roanoke
- Roanoke Ballet Theatre | Ballet | Roanoke
- Southern Appalachian Dance Collective | Dance | Abingdon
- Tidewater African Cultural Alliance Dance & Drumming Ensemble | African Dance | Virginia Beach
- Veronneau | Jazz, Bossa nova, French chanson | Arlington
Showcasing a vibrant range of talent from across Virginia, these seven artists and ensembles expand the esteemed lineup available for booking by nonprofit organizations, schools, and units of local or tribal governments.
Enriching Communities Through High Quality Performing Arts
Artists accepted onto the Touring Artist Roster are recognized for their artistic quality and ability to provide inspiring, entertaining, and educational programs. Eligible presenters are encouraged to apply for Virginia Touring Grants, which reimburse up to 50% of the VCA artist’s performance fees. These non-competitive grants help reduce financial barriers, making it easier to bring exceptional performing arts experiences to communities statewide.
This program fosters meaningful cultural exchange with dual benefits: it expands access to enriching performances for communities across Virginia, while giving Touring Artists the opportunity to reach new audiences and share their artform beyond their usual geographic scope.
“As a small-town community with limited resources, it can be difficult to bring world-class performers to our area. We are truly grateful for the VCA for offering the Virginia Touring Grant which made this unforgettable experience with Redd Volkaert possible for our community. This funding creates an opportunity for community engagement, and inspiration for our local musicians, performers, and students. Given the incredible impact of this program, we plan to apply again in the future to keep enriching our community with outstanding performances.” – William Pernell, Town of Victoria Event Coordinator
“My first year on the Touring Artist Roster has been both inspiring and transformative. The experience has brought new collaborations, enriched my artistic journey, and helped me share classical Latin American music with audiences I may not have met without this platform.” – Marjory Serrano, D.M.A., VCA Touring Artist
The impact of Virginia Touring Grants is evident, actively engaging with over 172,845 Virginia citizens in FY25 (July 1, 2024 – June 15, 2025). The program also plays a vital role in ensuring arts access across all 133 of Virginia’s municipalities, with the VCA striving each year to reach every corner of the Commonwealth.
Virginians can learn more about these artists by visiting the VCA’s Touring Artist Roster. Eligible Virginia Touring Grant applicants include a wide range of organizations such as public or private schools, colleges and universities, libraries, parks and recreation departments, correctional facilities, museums, festivals and fairs, hospitals, senior centers, places of worship and more. Presenters interested in booking artists are encouraged to apply through the VCA website. Applications for the upcoming cycle (performances taking place between July 1, 2026, and June 15, 2027), will open on March 1, 2026.
For questions or more information, please contact Lorraine Bruner, Grants and Artist Roster Coordinator, at lorraine.bruner@vca.virginia.gov.
About the New Artists
After Jack | Ferrum
After Jack is an all-female ensemble that blends bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and country music inspired by the rich traditions of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The ensemble group offers dynamic performances and educational programs that celebrate Appalachian music, folklore, and storytelling.
BJ Griffin | Virginia Beach
BJ Griffin is a singing cellist whose electrifying performances fuse classical, soul, jazz, and pop into a vibrant, soulful sound. As founder of BJ Griffin and the Galaxy Groove, he captivates audiences with his innovative electric cello-vocal performances, including a standout appearance on America’s Got Talent.
Mill Mountain Theatre | Roanoke
Mill Mountain Theatre is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists through robust education and community engagement programs. Its Apprentice Company tours literature-based productions, offering performances, study guides, and workshops that inspire learning through theatre performance.
Roanoke Ballet Theatre | Roanoke
Roanoke Ballet Theatre (RBT) is a premier professional ballet company committed to enriching communities through the beauty and discipline of dance. RBT presents a dynamic repertoire of classical and original story ballets, alongside inclusive and interactive performances that inspire audiences of all ages and abilities.
Southern Appalachian Dance Collective | Abingdon
Southern Appalachian Dance Collective is a professional suitcase-style dance company in Southwest Virginia that celebrates ballet and contemporary dance. With a strong focus on collaboration, the Collective partners with artists, musicians, and educators to deliver engaging performances.
Tidewater African Cultural Alliance Dance & Drumming Ensemble | Virginia Beach
Since its debut in May 2022, the Dance & Drumming Ensemble of the Tidewater African Cultural Alliance has brought vibrant, authentic African dance and drumming to a wide range of events. The ensemble blends traditional and contemporary styles to deliver dynamic performances and interactive cultural experiences that celebrate the African Diaspora.
Veronneau | Arlington
VERONNEAU is an award-winning husband-and-wife duo that blending jazz, bossa nova, French chanson, folk, and pop into captivating multilingual performances. Featuring Quebecoise vocalist Lynn Veronneau and UK guitarist Ken Avis, their shows are known for heartfelt storytelling and virtuosic musicianship.
About the Virginia Commission for the Arts
The Virginia Commission for the Arts, established in 1968, is the state agency dedicated to investing in the arts across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The VCA fulfills its mission through funding from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, distributing grant awards to Virginia artists, arts organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, educators, and local and tribal governments.
For more information about the Virginia Commission for the Arts, visit www.vca.virginia.gov. Artists, organizations, and interested members of the public are invited to follow the VCA on Instagram @virginiaarts, Facebook @VirginiaArts, and LinkedIn at Virginia Commission for the Arts as well as subscribe to the Virginia Commission for the Arts Newsletter for the latest news, resources, and opportunities.