Veranda Awarded IBMA’s 2026 International Band Performance Grant.
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced that the Canadian band Veranda is the 2026 recipient of the IBMA International Band Performance Grant.
Hailing from Québec, Canada, Veranda is the duo of actress-songwriter Catherine-Audrey Lachapelle and multi-instrumentalist Léandre Joly-Pelletier. Their music brings together tradition and innovation through rich harmonies, soulful melodies, and a seamless blend of simplicity and virtuosity. From high-lonesome bluegrass and foot-tapping country to tender folk ballads touched with Québec traditions, Veranda puts a modern shine on timeless roots music.
Veranda has spent the past several years touring extensively across Canada and Europe, performing more than 250 shows at festivals and venues and building a reputation for their engaging, bilingual performances. Singing original material in both French and English, the duo brings a fresh perspective to bluegrass that resonates with a wide range of audiences.
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 – Paul Schiminger, IBMA Interim Executive Director.
The IBMA International Band Performance Grant is awarded annually to one outstanding non-U.S. band seeking to grow their presence in the American market. As the 2026 recipient, Veranda will travel to the United States to perform at IBMA World of Bluegrass from October 20–24, 2026. They will also embark on a U.S. summer tour in 2027, bringing their distinctive, genre-blending sound to audiences across the country and highlighting the global evolution of bluegrass music.
For more information about Veranda, visit verandamusic.com. Information and applications for the 2027 IBMA International Band Performance Grant will be available this fall at ibma.org.
For more information about the IBMA and its programs, visit ibma.org and worldofbluegrass.org.
About the IBMA International Band Performance Grant Program:
Launched in 2022, the IBMA International Band Performance Grant program was created to strengthen connections with the international bluegrass community by supporting outstanding non-U.S. bands. Each year, one selected band is featured at IBMA World of Bluegrass® and receives support for a U.S. tour the following summer, helping expand their global reach.
A new matching gift opportunity is helping grow the future of the IBMA International Band Performance Grant program. Thanks to a generous commitment from Paul and Alys Schiminger, donations will be matched up to $10,000 to support international bands taking part in IBMA World of Bluegrass® and U.S. touring opportunities.
The goal of the grant program is to build a system of permanent funding to assist international bands for many years in the future. Community support helps make this possible, providing travel assistance for IBMA World of Bluegrass®, financial support for touring, and access to discounted visa services. Please consider making a donation of $50, $75, $100, or any amount to support the I in IBMA.
