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The Open Doors Festival is a celebration of disability culture through the arts, for and by people with disabilities. The festival elevates the voices of artists with disabilities and builds community with artists and organizations invested in disability arts in the DMV region.

For nearly five decades, the VSA International Young Musicians Program has highlighted exceptional young musicians (ages 14–25) with disabilities. Four of the winners from this year’s juried competition take the stage in an unforgettable performance: Julia LaGrand, Téa Ning LaFleur, Cheuk Him “Anson” Tang, and Kapono Wong.

Kennedy Center Culture Caucus member Open Circle Theater presents Open Doors Festival: Arts + Disability.

This performance contains mature content, themes, and language.

For nearly five decades, the VSA International Young Musicians Program has highlighted exceptional young musicians (ages 14–25) with disabilities. Four of the winners from this year’s juried competition take the stage in an unforgettable performance.

This event is presented in partnership with the Office of Access/VSA. Generous support for the VSA International Young Musicians Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

2007 VSA International Young Soloist Award winner violinist Niv Ashkenazi joins bassoonist Leah Kohn in a unique concert experience. Enjoy classical favorites by Mozart alongside works written for the duo by Reena Esmail, Bruce Babcock, and Molly Joyce.

Niv Ashkenazi’s performance is supported by the Rosemary Kennedy Endowment and the Office of Access/VSA.

Join us for an electrifying celebration of music and disability in this performance by the 2022 VSA International Young Soloists Competition Award Winners in concert.

José André Montaño is a Bolivian jazz pianist and composer based in Washington, D.C. Widely regarded as one of the great jazz prodigies of today, he taught himself how to play piano from a very young age and his playful and inspired original compositions blend jazz, rock, blues, bossa nova, Latin American folk, and world music. He has performed for audiences at festivals and concert halls around the world, and has been featured by Reuters and the BBC, as well as having previously appeared on Millennium Stage with Jason Moran, the Kennedy Center’s Artistic Director for Jazz.

With show opener Inside My Head with Zak Sandler

Award winning creative artist, actress and record producer Lachi has been profiled in Forbes, Essence, The New York Times and more for her voice as an Inclusion advocate. From presenting on national stages at the Recording Academy, Adweek, the National Endowment for the Arts, to performing at global disability pride events, to hosting a PBS American Masters segment, to co-chairing a GRAMMY committee, Lachi has gained an international platform on Inclusion in the Music and Entertainment industry.

With show opener Inside My Head with Zak Sandler.

Deaf Enlightenment & Arts Festival includes various performances highlighting Deaf artists while showcasing their unique talents in the creative arts: music, ASL poetry/storytelling, visual arts, dance, film, theatre, and more. Join us for a great adventure and fun at the Deaf Culture & Arts Festival!

Deaf Enlightenment & Arts Festival includes various performances highlighting Deaf artists while showcasing their unique talents in the creative arts: music, ASL poetry/storytelling, visual arts, dance, film, theatre, and more. Join us for a great adventure and fun at the Deaf Culture & Arts Festival!

Part of the Jean Kennedy Smith Series, the winner of NPR’s 2016 Tiny Desk Contest, violinist and vocalist Gaelynn Lea performs with guitarist and vocalist Alan Sparhawk as Murder of Crows.

Go backstage to learn about what it took to create the Kennedy Center's first bilingual English and American Sign Language musical based on the book by Marlee Matlin and Doug Cooney.