ABOUT OUR PROCESS

The Lewis Prize for Music Awards - 2023

The Lewis Prize for Music is dedicated to fairness, inclusion, and transparency. The Prize Finalists and Awardees are chosen through a rigorous and comprehensive process incorporating evaluation and input from diverse leaders in music, education, policy, research, philanthropy, and community organizing. This includes young adults and alumni leaders from creative youth development programs. 

Below are lists of our Readers and Panelists, as well as the applications and rubrics for each stage of our annual process. 

ROUND ONE READERS (age 25 and under)

AnnaLise Cason, Alum of Saint Louis Story Stitchers

Casemi Childress, Alum and Artist Mentor at The David’s Harp Foundation

Alexus M. Cumbie, Consultant and Strategic Storyteller

Jordan Daniel, Intern at RYSE Youth Center

Rebecca Dickman, University of Wisconsin

Mattie Levy, University of Michigan

Nicole Rodas, INTEMPO

Anna-Carson Tyner, Griot Arts

Imani Harris, Alum of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, 482Forward

ROUND ONE READERS (age 26 and over)

Erica Bauer, Chicago Bulls

Lee Bynum, Minnesota Opera

Benjamen Douglas, University of Arizona

Robbin Juris, INTEMPO

Rachel Knox, Hyde Family Foundation

eddy kwon, Musician

Rachael Nez, First Peoples Fund

Jess Pena, Fairbanks Arts Association

Joycelyn Reynolds, Arts New Orleans

Kunya Rowley, Music Access Miami at The Miami Foundation

Court Ruark, The Management Center

Timothy Stoddard, Musician

Caroline Taiwo, McKnight Foundation

Samuel Thompson, Musician

Bella Varela, Artist

Ciera Jevae Gordon, RYSE Youth Center

Inés Familiar Miller, Kresge Foundation

SEMI-FINALIST REVIEW PANEL (comprised of the following Round One Readers)

Alexus M.Cumbie, Consultant and Strategic Storyteller

Anna-Carson Tyner, Griot Arts

AnnaLise Cason, Alum of Saint Louis Story Stitchers

Court Ruark, The Management Center

Imani Harris, 482Forward

Jess Pena, Fairbanks Arts Association

Kunya Rowley, Music Access Miami at The Miami Foundation

Mattie Levy, University of Michigan

Nicole Rodas, INTEMPO


FINALIST REVIEW PANEL

Gina Chavez, Musician

Xavier Cuevas, Artist, City of Detroit, Alum and Artist Mentor at We Are Culture Creators

Leonette Henderson, The Aspen Institute

Jakada Imani, The Management Center

Raiyasha Paris, Portland State University, Alum Student Teacher at My Voice Music


Read our 2023 Round One Application and Rubric

Read our 2023 Finalist Application and Award Selection