The International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville has announced that Canadian bluegrass group Veranda has been chosen as the recipient of their 2026 International Band Performance Grant.
This award provides financial assistance to non-US performers to travel to the annual World of Bluegrass convention as a Bluegrass Ramble showcase act, where they will be heard by leaders of the bluegrass industry as well as booking and recording decision makers. It also assists the recipients in setting up additional touring opportunities both during their visit to World of Bluegrass, and again the following year.
Veranda, based in Quebec, is based around the singing and songwriting duo of Catherine-Audrey Lachapelle and Léandre Joly-Pelletier. The two write and sing in both French and English, with her on guitar on him primarily on mandolin, assisted by Kieran Poile on violin and Johnny Slapper on bass. They have become quite popular in Canada and across Europe, and look forward to seeing what opportunities may lie in the US.
Interim IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger, who was critical in the development of this grant, says that the organization is delighted to announce the 2026 recipient.
“For the fifth consecutive year, IBMA is proud to recognize an outstanding international band through the International Band Performance Grant. Once again, our selection committee faced the difficult task of choosing from more than 30 exceptional applicants.
We’re thrilled to welcome Veranda to Chattanooga for this year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass. Fans are sure to be entertained by their virtuosic, original French bluegrass music!”
The 2026 IBMA World of Bluegrass is scheduled for October 20-24 in Chattanooga, TN, concluding with the annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards show, and the weekend festival, IBMA Bluegrass Live!
Full details can be found online.
