Artists Roster
Book a Touring Artist
Touring Artist Roster
The VCA Touring Artist Roster is a resource for organizations applying for Virginia Touring Grants or seeking high-quality performing artists. This vetted list encompasses a variety of performing arts disciplines, with each artist recognized for captivating diverse audiences through their programming. Artists awarded inclusion onto the Roster receive an allocation specifically designated for Virginia Touring Grant requests for the upcoming touring season. VCA Touring Artists book engagements with Presenters, who then apply for Virginia Touring Grants. The VCA does not act as a booking agent. Artists are responsible for developing effective marketing strategies and creating promotional materials to build their tours and connect with Presenters.
- After Jack
| Appalachian Roots Music & Story Theatre
Location: Ferrum - Akeylah Simone
| Rock, R&B, Pop, Jazz | NEW
Location: Suffolk - Alfred Yun
| Jazz, Korean American Fusion | NEW
Location: Centreville - Alma Ensemble
| Contemporary Classical Chamber Music
Location: Roanoke - Andrew McKnight & Beyond Borders
| Folk & Roots
Location: Lincoln, VA - Barefoot Puppet Theatre
| Puppetry
Location: Richmond - Bio Ritmo
| Salsa
Location: Richmond, VA - BJ Griffin
| Soul, Pop, Jazz
Location: Virginia Beach - Bobby Blackhat Band
| Original, Traditional, and Contemporary Blues
Location: Newport News, VA - Brass 5
| Light Classical | Jazz
Location: Salem - BrassWind
| Eclectic Horn Band Spanning All Styles & Genres
Location: Hampton - Charlottesville Ballet
| Dance
Location: Charlottesville - Classic Strings Duo/Rainier Trio
| Classical | Chamber
Location: Blacksburg, VA - Francesca Hurst
| Classical and New Music Piano
Location: Annandale, VA - Fuse Ensemble
| Modern Classical
Location: Merrifield - Garth Newel Piano Quartet
| Classical Chamber Music
Location: Hot Springs - Geoff Marsh
| Juggling | Puppetry | Magic
Location: Floyd, VA - Good Shot Judy
| High Energy Swing
Location: Williamsburg, VA - Host of Sparrows Aerial Circus
| Aerial & Circus Arts
Location: Richmond - Jack Hinshelwood
| Folk Music | NEW
Location: Abingdon - John Bullard
| Classical Banjo
Location: Manakin Sabot, VA - John Hardy
| Touring Theatre
Location: Abingdon, VA - Jstop Latin Soul
| Afro-Cuban Jazz & Salsa | NEW
Location: Roanoke - Kadencia
| Bomba, Plena, and Salsa (Afro-Puerto Rican Music)
Location: Chesterfield - Kim & Jimbo Cary
| Global | Folk
Location: Roseland, VA - Kinnfolk
| Celtic Folk | NEW
Location: Roanoke, VA - Larnell Starkey & The Spiritual Seven Gospel Singers
| Gospel
Location: Wirtz, VA - Latin Ballet of Virginia
| Hispanic Folklore Dance Theatre
Location: Richmond, VA - Lua Project
| Mexilachian LUA
Location: Charlottesville, VA - Lucinda McDermott
| Award Winning One Woman Show
Location: Radford, VA - Marjory Serrano-Coyer
| Latin American Classical Music | NEW
Location: Leesburg, VA - Mark Nizer
| Juggling | Music | Dance
Location: Free Union, VA - Martha Spencer
| American Roots Music
Location: Mouth of Wilson, VA - Mill Mountain Theatre
| Theatre
Location: Roanoke - Plunky and Oneness
| Jazz
- Project Locrea
| World-Jazz Fusion
Location: Reston - Raman Kalyan Trio
| Traditional Indian Flute
Location: Centreville - Redd Volkaert Trio and Quartet
| Country Jazz / Western Swing
Location: Floyd, VA - Richmond Ballet
| The State Ballet of Virginia
Location: Richmond, VA - Richmond Symphony
| Symphony
Location: Richmond, VA - Roanoke Ballet Theatre
| Ballet & Story-telling Dance
Location: Roanoke - Roanoke Symphony Orchestra
| Symphony
Location: Roanoke, VA - Robert Jospé Trio and Quartet
| Jazz
Location: Stanardsville, VA - Roberta Lea
| "Country-Neo-Pop"
Location: Norfolk - Robin & Linda Williams
| Country | Folk
Location: Staunton, VA - Sheila Arnold
| Master Storyteller
Location: Hampton, VA - Sound Impact
| Classical, Contemporary Chamber Music and Education
Location: Fairfax Station - Southern Appalachian Dance Collective
| Dance
Location: Abingdon - Stephanie Nakasian
| The Great American Songbook, Jazz & More!
Location: Charlottesville, VA - Sumona Apsara Parii
| Indian Dance
Location: Falls Church - Synetic Theater
| Physical Theater
Location: Arlington - TACA Dance & Drumming Ensemble
| African Dance
Location: Virginia Beach - Terra Voce
| Classical Chamber - Mixed Styles
Location: Crozet, VA - The Barter Players
| Classic Theatre for Young People
Location: Abingdon - The Crooked Road On Tour
| Traditional ~ Heritage
Location: Abingdon, VA - The Guitar Renegades
| Guitar Quintet | NEW
Location: Arlington, VA - The Jason Cale Band
| Improvisation in Jazz, Funk, Blues, R&B, Fusion & Styles
Location: Hampton Roads, VA - Tidewater Guitar Orchestra
| Classical Guitar
Location: Norfolk - Tom Teasley
| Global Percussion
Location: Alexandria, VA - Trio Niche
| Fortepiano Trio | NEW
Location: Williamsburg - Ty-Rone Travis
| Kids Comedian & Ventriloquist
Location: Chesterfield - VERONNEAU
| Multilingual World-Jazz
Location: Arlington - Victor Haskins
| ImproviStory | Jazz | World
Location: Henrico, VA - Virginia Stage Company
| Theatre
Location: Norfolk - Virginia Symphony Orchestra
| Symphony
Location: Norfolk, VA
Charlottesville Ballet
Specialty: Dance
Location: Charlottesville
Charlottesville Ballet’s mission is to elevate the art of dance through wellness, performance, education, and community outreach. Co-Founders Sara Clayborne and Emily Hartka have been committed to promoting dancer health...
Latin Ballet of Virginia
Specialty: Hispanic Folklore Dance Theatre
Location: Richmond, VA
Founded in 1997 under the direction of Ana Ines King, a native of Colombia, S.A. It is dedicated to creating and strengthening connections to Hispanic/Latino American cultures through innovative and...
Richmond Ballet
Specialty: The State Ballet of Virginia
Location: Richmond, VA
For over 40 years Richmond Ballet has achieved its mission to awaken, uplift, and unite human spirits through the power of dance through a range of performance opportunities including classical...
Roanoke Ballet Theatre
Specialty: Ballet & Story-telling Dance
Location: Roanoke
Roanoke Ballet Theatre is Roanoke Valley’s premiere professional ballet company. RBT’s mission is to enrich the soul of the community through the beauty of dance, and we are proud to...
Southern Appalachian Dance Collective
Specialty: Dance
Location: Abingdon
Southern Appalachian Dance Collective is a professional suitcase-style dance company based in Abingdon, VA, dedicated to bringing high-quality ballet and contemporary dance to communities across Virginia. Originally incorporated as Olina...
Sumona Apsara Parii
Specialty: Indian Dance
Location: Falls Church
Sumona Apsara Parii is a passionate, devoted, dedicated International Bharata Natyam (South-Indian Classical Dance), Bollywood and Indian Contemporary Danseuse, Exponent, Choreographer, as well Artistic Director of ShivShakti Dance Productions in...
TACA Dance & Drumming Ensemble
Specialty: African Dance
Location: Virginia Beach
Since its May 2022 début, the Dance & Drumming Ensemble of the Tidewater African Cultural Alliance has been adding authentic African Dance to events all over the Hampton Roads/Tidewater region....
Geoff Marsh
Specialty: Juggling | Puppetry | Magic
Location: Floyd, VA
Geoff Marsh has been performing all over the world for the last 21 years with his unique circus stunts and zany marionette puppets at schools, family festivals, and Renaissance fairs....
Host of Sparrows Aerial Circus
Specialty: Aerial & Circus Arts
Location: Richmond
Host of Sparrows Aerial Circus is Virginia’s first professional contemporary circus company. Their mission to provide everyone the opportunity to experience, learn and perform the challenging, empowering and creative arts...
Mark Nizer
Specialty: Juggling | Music | Dance
Location: Free Union, VA
Since winning the International Juggling Championships, Mark Nizer has taken his one-man show to thousands of venues around the world. He has been on MTV, HBO’s Just for Laughs, and...
Ty-Rone Travis
Specialty: Kids Comedian & Ventriloquist
Location: Chesterfield
Uncle Ty-Rone is a multi-talented professional who seamlessly combines the arts of ventriloquism, DJing, puppeteering, and comedy to engage and inspire young minds. With a passion for motivating and educating...
After Jack
Specialty: Appalachian Roots Music & Story Theatre
Location: Ferrum
After Jack is a musical celebration of togetherness, hailing from Ferrum, VA, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The all-female ensemble performs music from, and inspired by, the...
Akeylah Simone
Specialty: Rock, R&B, Pop, Jazz | NEW
Location: Suffolk
Akeylah Simone, from Hampton Roads, VA is just getting her feet wet as a singer, songwriter, and now recording artist. In just her first two years of releasing original music,...
Alfred Yun
Specialty: Jazz, Korean American Fusion | NEW
Location: Centreville
Alfred Yun is a Korean-American jazz pianist and composer. Alfred brings his unique perspective to his compositions from his Korean heritage, American experience, and philosophical studies. He boldly addresses various...
Alma Ensemble
Specialty: Contemporary Classical Chamber Music
Location: Roanoke
Alma Ensemble is a classical chamber ensemble that focuses on performing and commissioning works by female composers. Founded by flutist Sarah Wardle Jones, clarinetist Michelle Smith Johnson, and pianist Erica...
Andrew McKnight & Beyond Borders
Specialty: Folk & Roots
Location: Lincoln, VA
Award-winning folk and Americana artist Andrew McKnight’s musical journey has traced nearly a million miles of blue highways. That journey has earned him a wealth of critical acclaim and enthusiastic...
Bio Ritmo
Specialty: Salsa
Location: Richmond, VA
Based out of Richmond, VA since 1991, Bio Ritmo is recognized around the world as one of the most intriguing and influential Salsa bands of the last three decades. Their...
BJ Griffin
Specialty: Soul, Pop, Jazz
Location: Virginia Beach
BJ Griffin is a dynamic singing cellist known for blending classical, pop, soul, and jazz into a vibrant, genre-crossing sound. Born in Detroit near Hitsville U.S.A. and raised in Virginia...
Bobby Blackhat Band
Specialty: Original, Traditional, and Contemporary Blues
Location: Newport News, VA
Bobby “BlackHat” Walters, recording artist, harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter, producer, comedian, and actor resides in Newport News, VA and has been playing harp for over 50 years. Bobby is a...
Brass 5
Specialty: Light Classical | Jazz
Location: Salem
An active part of the Mid-Atlantic arts scene for 43 years, Brass 5 has presented more than 3,600 programs in schools and concert venues throughout the eastern United States and...
BrassWind
Specialty: Eclectic Horn Band Spanning All Styles & Genres
Location: Hampton
BrassWind is composed completely of retired & active-duty military in addition to some of the original charter-member educators that have remained. Though the roster and genres have changed, the mission...
Classic Strings Duo/Rainier Trio
Specialty: Classical | Chamber
Location: Blacksburg, VA
The Rainier Trio is a dynamic ensemble featuring violinist and violist brothers Kevin and Bryan Matheson with pianist Melia Garber. Known for their vibrant and captivating performances, they offer diverse...
Francesca Hurst
Specialty: Classical and New Music Piano
Location: Annandale, VA
Recognized for her “quicksilver passagework” and “tender lyricism” (The Washington Post), yet not afraid to shout, swing her foot onto the piano, or don fingerless gloves if the music demands...
Fuse Ensemble
Specialty: Modern Classical
Location: Merrifield
Champions of new music since they began in 2008, Fuse Ensemble has performed works by exclusively living composers, including Caroline Shaw, Eve Beglarian, Nicole Mitchell, Jeffrey Mumford, Brittany J. Green,...
Garth Newel Piano Quartet
Specialty: Classical Chamber Music
Location: Hot Springs
The Garth Newel Piano Quartet is known for their spirited and impassioned performances that offer an enlivened interpretation of both standard and new repertoire. As artists-in-residence at Garth Newel Music...
Good Shot Judy
Specialty: High Energy Swing
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Sound. Energy. Swagger. All these arrive onstage when Good Shot Judy shows up. Grounded in the swinging cadence of the big band era, Good Shot Judy boldly ventures wherever whimsy...
Jack Hinshelwood
Specialty: Folk Music | NEW
Location: Abingdon
For over 50 years, singer, songwriter, and award-winning multi-instrumentalist Jack Hinshelwood has entertained audiences with a broad swath of traditional and Americana music on guitar, fiddle, harmonica, and vocals. Jack...
John Bullard
Specialty: Classical Banjo
Location: Manakin Sabot, VA
Over the course of his performing and recording career, John Bullard has invited audiences to share in a transformative revelation: to experience the artistic marriage of banjo and classical music....
Jstop Latin Soul
Specialty: Afro-Cuban Jazz & Salsa | NEW
Location: Roanoke
Born in the Blue Ridge mountains of Roanoke, Virginia, and fueled by an obsession for Afro-Cuban rhythms, Jstop Latin Soul ignites the stage with a bold fusion of Latin grooves,...
Kadencia
Specialty: Bomba, Plena, and Salsa (Afro-Puerto Rican Music)
Location: Chesterfield
Kadencia is a band comprised of musicians that have toured with local and international bands in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Founded in Puerto Rico by singer-songwriter Maurice...
Kim & Jimbo Cary
Specialty: Global | Folk
Location: Roseland, VA
Kim & Jimbo have performed throughout Virginia for over 20 years. Nominated for a Governor’s Award for the Arts, the Carys have entertained at the White House and the Kennedy...
Kinnfolk
Specialty: Celtic Folk | NEW
Location: Roanoke, VA
KINNFOLK – the husband and wife duo of Josh and Julie Kinn – weave octave mandolin, bodhrán (Irish drum), and smooth vocal harmonies in their Celtic folk music from the...
Larnell Starkey & The Spiritual Seven Gospel Singers
Specialty: Gospel
Location: Wirtz, VA
Larnell Starkey & The Spiritual Seven have been singing for over 40 years. Their music, a zestful blend of traditional gospel with a twist of contemporary, showcases the group’s amazing...
Lua Project
Specialty: Mexilachian LUA
Location: Charlottesville, VA
The Lua Project has been called a ‘cultural pollinator’, and was formed by David Berzonsky and Estela Knott after they returned to Virginia to raise children after almost a decade...
Marjory Serrano-Coyer
Specialty: Latin American Classical Music | NEW
Location: Leesburg, VA
When most people think of Latin American music, they often gravitate towards pop music, overlooking the rich tapestry of classical compositions created by Latin American composers. However, there exists a...
Martha Spencer
Specialty: American Roots Music
Location: Mouth of Wilson, VA
Martha Spencer is a singer-songwriter, mountain musician and dancer from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She grew up in the musical Spencer family and learned to play several instruments...
Plunky and Oneness
Specialty: Jazz
Plunky & Oneness is an enduring and versatile funk, jazz, Afro-fusion group. Led by saxophonist J. Plunky Branch, the group is a unique combination of exotic soulful grooves, sax, vocals,...
Project Locrea
Specialty: World-Jazz Fusion
Location: Reston
Project Locrea (from LO-ve and CREA-tivity) is a world-jazz fusion ensemble dedicated to creating and performing original compositions and contemporary arrangements inspired by folk music of different countries. Combining sound...
Raman Kalyan Trio
Specialty: Traditional Indian Flute
Location: Centreville
Breathing magical melodies on the Indian bamboo flute, Flute virtuoso Raman Kalyan is one of the leading flautists in the Carnatic style of music. Raman with his unique style has...
Redd Volkaert Trio and Quartet
Specialty: Country Jazz / Western Swing
Location: Floyd, VA
From country and western swing to jazz and rock, Redd Volkaert is considered a true giant of country music and the Telecaster guitar. Redd is a Grammy winner and a...
Richmond Symphony
Specialty: Symphony
Location: Richmond, VA
The Richmond Symphony performs, teaches, and champions music to inspire and unite our communities. We amplify our region’s unique vitality by making music integral to the lives of those living,...
Roanoke Symphony Orchestra
Specialty: Symphony
Location: Roanoke, VA
The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, western Virginia’s professional symphony orchestra, continues to receive standing ovations and critical acclaim, as well as sold-out concerts. Under the baton of Music Director David Stewart...
Robert Jospé Trio and Quartet
Specialty: Jazz
Location: Stanardsville, VA
“We had the Robert Jospé Trio at the Highland Center tonight. They are world class. I have not seen three musicians of this quality who clearly loved playing together. Wonderful...
Roberta Lea
Specialty: "Country-Neo-Pop"
Location: Norfolk
Known as one of Hampton Road’s best kept secrets, Roberta Lea is gaining national and international momentum. She’s an award-winning songwriter, a member of the Black Opry collective, CMT’s Next...
Robin & Linda Williams
Specialty: Country | Folk
Location: Staunton, VA
Robin and Linda Williams are outstanding contemporary artists with musical sensibilities deeply rooted in traditional country, bluegrass, and gospel music. Their repertoire includes original songs and those gleaned from the...
Sound Impact
Specialty: Classical, Contemporary Chamber Music and Education
Location: Fairfax Station
Founded in 2013, Sound Impact (SI) is a collective of musicians dedicated to connecting, engaging and empowering youth beyond the concert hall through performances and education programs. Its mission is...
Stephanie Nakasian
Specialty: The Great American Songbook, Jazz & More!
Location: Charlottesville, VA
“Vocal virtuosity…” The New York Times “For Stephanie Nakasian it’s all about Swing.” Richmond Times-Dispatch “Swings and scats with authority…Evokes Ella and Sarah.“ The Washington Post “The artist presented a...
Terra Voce
Specialty: Classical Chamber - Mixed Styles
Location: Crozet, VA
Terra Voce thrills audiences with lively concert programs that explore a colorful array of musical styles from Baroque to tango, Brazilian choro and European folk. Known for performances that combine...
The Crooked Road On Tour
Specialty: Traditional ~ Heritage
Location: Abingdon, VA
The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail concert celebrates the traditional music that has been kept by families and communities of Southwest Virginia since colonial times. Settlers of this mountainous...
The Guitar Renegades
Specialty: Guitar Quintet | NEW
Location: Arlington, VA
The Guitar Renegades are a guitar quintet comprised of Cristian Perez (founder/leader), Connor Holdridge, Jan Knutson, Parker Spears, and Tommy Holladay. Although they’re all jazz guitarists at heart, they venture into...
The Jason Cale Band
Specialty: Improvisation in Jazz, Funk, Blues, R&B, Fusion & Styles
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
Jason Cale is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter originally from the Deep South, with roots stretching from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama. For over two decades, he traveled the world...
Tidewater Guitar Orchestra
Specialty: Classical Guitar
Location: Norfolk
The Tidewater Guitar Orchestra, one of the first of its kind in the United States, is an ensemble of more than a dozen accomplished guitarists who use the unique resources...
Tom Teasley
Specialty: Global Percussion
Location: Alexandria, VA
Drumming Through Cultures and Time: $900 A unique journey through the history and geography of percussion. The audience will travel the Silk Road from Italy to China and the Sugar...
Trio Niche
Specialty: Fortepiano Trio | NEW
Location: Williamsburg
Trio Niche was formed by seasoned baroque musicians (of the Wren Masters, Colonial Williamsburg’s Governor’s Musick, and others) to bring a historical sensibility to repertoire from the turn of the...
VERONNEAU
Specialty: Multilingual World-Jazz
Location: Arlington
VERONNEAU – music with a global twist “Inspiring & joyful…excellent performers” Washington Post “Alchemists of cool jazz, bossa nova, and folk” Capital Bop “A kaleidoscope of internationally flavored tunes and...
Victor Haskins
Specialty: ImproviStory | Jazz | World
Location: Henrico, VA
Victor Haskins is a boundary-pushing multi-instrumentalist and composer known for his innovative approach to both music and multimedia art. Growing up in a military family exposed him to diverse cultures,...
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Specialty: Symphony
Location: Norfolk, VA
The VSO strives to engage and educate a broad audience, helping ensure Hampton Roads remains a vibrant, culturally rich community through our diverse programming. As one of Hampton Roads’ flagship...
Barefoot Puppet Theatre
Specialty: Puppetry
Location: Richmond
Barefoot Puppet Theatre has toured original, award-winning programs to theatres, schools, libraries, children’s museums and more since 1997. Children, families, educators, librarians, and theatre directors give enthusiastic reviews of their...
The Barter Players
Specialty: Classic Theatre for Young People
Location: Abingdon
The Barter Players company has been creating Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) programming for over thirty years, performing both on tour and at their artistic home at Barter Theatre, one...
John Hardy
Specialty: Touring Theatre
Location: Abingdon, VA
“John Hardy’s performance was mesmerizing…, awe inspiring…, riveting.” “Not only were audiences amazed and impressed with this performance, they have requested it back again for next year.” A nationally known...
Lucinda McDermott
Specialty: Award Winning One Woman Show
Location: Radford, VA
“McDermott’s one-woman play gets to the very heart of one of the enduring questions surrounding the art and life of Georgia O’Keeffe: how much credit does Alfred Stieglitz deserve for...
Mill Mountain Theatre
Specialty: Theatre
Location: Roanoke
Mill Mountain Theatre is dedicated to training the next generation of artists and building an appreciation of the art form in the next generation of audiences. Mill Mountain Theatre’s initiatives...
Sheila Arnold
Specialty: Master Storyteller
Location: Hampton, VA
“Locks Opened: Underground Railroad” Historical Storytelling Presentation Series These presentations are historical storytelling at its best. Through story and song, Sheila shares about local waterways that were part of the...
Synetic Theater
Specialty: Physical Theater
Location: Arlington
CYRANO DE BERGERAC Ages 6 and up. A brilliant poet and soldier, Cyrano de Bergerac apparently has it all—except the confidence to win the heart of his beloved Roxane. Lacking...
Virginia Stage Company
Specialty: Theatre
Location: Norfolk
For over 25 years, Virginia Stage Company’s Education Department has worked to create engaging theatre-based programs for adults and students of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Virginia Stage...