Full winners list from Galax Youth Night 2026

Meredith and Jason Wilkerson at the 2026 Old Fiddlers Convention – photo © Hello Galax

Thanks again to Ed Oakes who has shared the list of winners from Monday’s Youth Night competition at the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, VA.

Youth Old-Time Fiddle

1. Silas Wilkerson (Lowgap, NC)
2. Sterling Hollifield (Independence, VA)
3. Whitleigh McGee (King, NC)
4. Alina Hess (Floyd, VA)
5. Molly Wilkerson (Lowgap, NC)

Youth Bluegrass Fiddle

1. River Brown (Wilmington, DE)
2. Malachi Ellenburg (Liberty, SC)
3. Miles Kexel (Asheville, NC)
4. John Smith (Floyd, VA)
5. Luke Palmer (Dobson, NC)

Youth Mandolin

1. Jace Roberts (Galax, VA)
2. Luke Spencer (Pilot, VA)
3. Chris Trakimowicz (Hampstead, NC)
4. Leo Lindblom (Bloomingdale, GA)
5. Hollace Oakes (Snowville, VA)

Youth Clawhammer Banjo

1. Liam Lanham (Boone, NC)
2. Samuel Spencer (Pilot, VA)
3. Audrey Bradshaw (Ennice, NC)
4. Analeise Hess (Floyd, VA)
5. Ella Grim (Independence, VA)

Youth Bluegrass Banjo

1. Levi Lindblom (Bloomingdale, GA)
2. Pete Trakimowicz (Hampstead, NC)
3. Dewey Brown IV (Burlington, NC)
4. Josiah Wilkerson (Lowgap, NC)
5. Braden DeGarmo (Hollywood, MD)

Youth Guitar

1. Elliot King (Carthage, NC)
2. Hudson Mikeal (Jefferson, NC)
3. Mason Blevins (Chilhowie, VA)
4. Corban Walls (Vale, NC)
5. Tucker Conner (Fleetwood, NC)

Youth Bands

1. Found and Lost (Statesville, NC)
2. Cold Cabin Collective (Galax, VA)
3. The Brothers Five (Bloomingdale, GA)
4. Down Sit Good (Floyd, VA)
5. 4 Walls (Vale, NC)

Don Wilson Memorial Award: Leo Lindblom (Bloomingdale, GA) – Mandolin

Congratulations and well done all!