Violinist Nathan Amaral is among the three recipients for this year, who each receive a $50,000 career grant
Sphinx Organization has announced the 2026 Sphinx Medals of Excellence recipients. They are violinist Nathan Amaral, percussionist Josh Jones, and conductor Na’Zir McFadden.
The Sphinx Medal of Excellence is the Sphinx Organization’s top honour, recognising outstanding classical musicians who are driving change and addressing long‑standing inequities within Black and Latino communities.
Presented annually to three early‑career artists, the Medal includes a $50,000 career grant and celebrates musicians who demonstrate exceptional artistry, discipline, determination and a strong commitment to leadership and community impact.
Brazilian violinist Nathan Amaral was the first prize winner of the 2024 Sphinx, Concert Artist Guild, and Young Classical Artists Trust competitions.
He has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Brevard Music Festival Orchestra, Royal College of Music Symphony at the Aldeburgh Festival, Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, and with the Chineke! Orchestra.
He founded his own festival ‘Week of Musical Integration’ (Festival SIM) in 2021 to support and teach young musicians from difficult backgrounds. With the belief that music should be accessible to everyone, and alongside his performing career, his personal mission is to establish an institution for underprivileged music students and people of colour in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro.
‘Receiving the Sphinx Medal of Excellence is a powerful opportunity to help catalyse wider change in classical music,’ said Amaral.
’The award amplifies the message that inclusion, representation and artistic excellence are central to a vibrant, inclusive future in our field. This recognition becomes a platform to foster new collaborations, invest in emerging voices and encourage institutions to make lasting structural change.
’Endless gratitude to the Sphinx Organization – your brilliance inspires a new era in classical music.’
Previous string recipients of the Sphinx Medal of Excellence include Curtis Stewart, Sterling Elliott, Tommy Mesa, Randall Goosby, Jessie Montgomery, Joseph Conyers, Christine Lamprea, Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Gabriel Cabezas, Danielle Belen, Tai Murray and Elena Urioste.
Read: Postcard from Detroit: Sphinx Competition and SphinxConnect convention
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