The Northern Virginia Youth Winds, a division of the City of Fairfax Band Association, was awarded the Dominion Rising Star Award for their work effectively bringing together arts and education.

Linda Sullivan, Virginians for the Arts and president and CEO of the Arts Council of Fairfax County and Tim Sargeant, manager, State and Local Affairs for Dominion Resources, presented the $1,000 cash prize to the ensemble on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, at the opening concert of their season. The concert took place at W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax.

“Numerous studies have shown the benefits of arts education: Some students will develop a passion for music, painting or acting,” Sullivan said in a statement. “Students with a passion for one subject tend to do better academically across the board – an excitement about learning spills over into other areas of the curriculum. Even students who do not develop a lifelong interest in the arts benefit from the skills taught through study of the arts – self-discipline, teamwork, creative thinking and problem-solving.”

The Symphonic Winds (for high school-age students) and Junior Winds (middle school) are the audition-based ensembles that comprise the Northern Virginia Youth Winds. They draw from public, private and parochial schools, and are lead by Denny Stokes and Linda Gammon.

For more information about the Northern Virginia Youth Winds, visit www.northernvirginiayouthwinds.org.