Sandbox is thrilled to announce the launch of our Creator Mentorship Program this year! This opportunity will be awarded to two artists, each of whom will work closely with Sandbox during the 24/25 season to create a new work for percussion quartet.

Chosen composers will be awarded:

• $2,000 honorarium
• Reimbursement of up to $800 in travel expenses for in-person workshops in Brooklyn, NY
• A performance of your new work during the 2025 calendar year
• A video recording of your new work

We hope to identify artists who believe they will benefit artistically and professionally from this opportunity, who are excited to create work for percussion quartet, and who are excited to foster meaningful relationships by working closely for many months. Ultimately, we aim to place greater value in each composer’s creative process. 

Sandbox is committed to creating a diverse repertoire, and we encourage applications from artists from marginalized backgrounds.

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Applications are free and the deadline for submissions is August 15th More information on application materials can be found below, and all are welcome to apply. 

Applications are closed for the 2024-25 season. Thank you for your interest in the Creator Mentorship Program! 

What will applicants submit?

• Name, email address, mailing address
• Resume highlighting professional activities, recent artistic work, and education (1 page)
• Short selfie-style video, answering the questions: “What excites you about the idea of collaborating with a percussion quartet? How will this project be an important step in your development as an artist?” (2 minutes or less)
• Work samples – 1-2 existing works 
  • Send one audio recording (midi or otherwise) with a corresponding “score” (graphic, illustration, western notation, whatever “score” means to you)
  • OPTIONAL – send 1 additional work (scores and/or recordings)
• OPTIONAL – 1 short letter of recommendation from someone that you’ve collaborated with in the past

If you have any trouble with the application form, please send an email to mentorship@sandboxpercussion.com

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This program is supported in part by:

The New York State Council on the Arts – with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature

Public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Winners of our 2023-24 Creator Mentorship Program!

Composer, pianist, singer and world traveler Iseul Kim is based in NYC and Seoul, graduated from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies, and is currently pursuing a master’s at the New School.

Iseul Kim reveals her life stories and cultures through music that has no limits. Having traveled the world and experienced numerous cultures, she has been influenced by different musical styles her entire adult life. Thus, she eventually formed different groups and released multiple albums with her band Liberosis, Iseul Kim Trio and lastly her 9 piece ensemble with Korean traditional music influence ‘ Two Voices’.

Wenbin Lyu is a Chinese composer and guitarist based in Cincinnati. His work draws inspiration from nature, science, and video games, and always blends contemporary Western techniques with ancient Oriental culture.

His works have been featured at numerous events, including the Cabrillo, Tanglewood, RED NOTE, NMG, NYCEMF, EMM, IRCAM, SPLICE, SEAMUS, and ICMC. He has worked with acclaimed ensembles such as the Buffalo Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, Beijing Symphony, Fifth House Ensemble, Eighth Blackbird, Akropolis Quintet, Del Sol Quartet, Icarus Quartet, Society for New Music, Capitol Quartet, Transient Canvas, and Hypercube. Lyu is the recipient of one ASCAP Young Composer Award and three The American Prize awards.

Lyu holds degrees from the China Conservatory, NEC, and CCM.

Winners of our 2022-23 inaugural Creator Mentorship Program!

JaRon Brown

Lila Meretzky