The Christel Award

The Christel Award of the American Pianists Association is given to a former Classical Fellow of the last two competition cycles for an innovative project that advances the career of the Fellow and enriches or broadens the profession. This significant cash award is made possible by the generosity and vision of former APA Board Chairman and international philanthropist Christel DeHaan. The Christel Award is yet another way in which the American Pianists Association has developed a distinctive niche in the musical world, for it shows support beyond the two-year Fellowship period and gives depth in a unique way to the mission of the organization. Combined with the current value of the Fellowship, the recipient of the Christel Award will have received almost $100,000 in cash and in-kind services.

Former Fellows may seek funding through the Christel Award for a wide variety of projects that might include recording of repertoire for which they have a special affinity, the commissioning of new works, special collaborations with other artists, unusual or unique performance opportunities, exploration of artistic possibilities in new media or formats, and so forth. The project is developed in consultation with the APA Artistic Director and presented to the national Advisory Board for approval. It is then reviewed by the APA Board of Directors, which makes the final decision to make the award.

Information about the chief philanthropic endeavor of Christel DeHaan can be found at: www.christelhouse.org