Last Thursday, September 29, 2022, the International Bluegrass Music Association hosted the 2022 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, celebrating the bluegrass genre, its premiere artists, and their achievements and contributions to music in the last year. We are beyond excited and proud to announce that ArtistWorks bluegrass mandolin instructor, Sierra Hull, received 2022’s “Mandolin Player of the Year” award. Several other ArtistWorks instructors contributed to projects that were recognized at the awards as well.

Virtuoso mandolinist and ArtistWorks bluegrass mandolin instructor, Sierra Hull, was recognized as 2022’s “Mandolin Player of the Year,” making this her fifth victory in the category after winning three consecutive years in a row between 2016 and 2018 and taking home the award in 2021 as well.

LEARN MORE: Want to learn how to play bluegrass mandolin from a master musician like Sierra Hull? Try a few free online mandolin lessons now!

The 2022 “Album of the Year” award was granted to legendary banjoist Béla Fleck for his latest album, My Bluegrass Heart. Sierra was heavily featured on the album, and also spent much of 2022 touring alongside Béla as part of his “My Bluegrass Heart” ensemble.

Also making guest appearances on My Bluegrass Heart are ArtistWorks instructors Tony Trischka, Noam Pikelny, and Bryan Sutton. Bryan specifically contributed to the track “Vertigo,” which won this year’s “Instrumental Recording of the Year” award. Needless to say, it was a big night for Béla Fleck, who, in addition to “Album of the Year" and “Instrumental Recording of the Year,” also received the award for “Banjo Player of the Year.”

Congratulations to Sierra, Béla, Bryan, and all of this year’s IBMA Bluegrass Music Award winners! We deeply appreciate all of your wonderful contributions to the world of music, art, and the bluegrass genre. The musical landscape would not look the same without you.

Below is a comprehensive list of all of the 2022 IBMA Bluegrass Music Award winners:

Entertainer of the Year: Billy Strings

Vocal Group of the Year: Doyle Lawson & Quiksilver

Instrumental Group of the Year: Béla Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart

Song of the Year: "Red Daisy," Billy Strings (artist), Jarrod Walker/Christian Ward (songwriters)

Album of the Year: My Bluegrass Heart, Béla Fleck (artist)

Gospel Recording of the Year: “In the Sweet By and By,” Dolly Parton (artist) with Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle, Bradley Walker, and Jerry Salley

Instrumental Recording of the Year: “Vertigo," Béla Fleck (artist) with Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Bryan Sutton

New Artist of the Year: Rick Faris

Collaborative Recording of the Year: “In the Sweet By and By,” Dolly Parton (artist) with Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle, Bradley Walker, and Jerry Salley

Female Vocalist of the Year: Molly Tuttle

Male Vocalist of the Year: Del McCoury

Banjo Player of the Year: Béla Fleck

Bass Player of the Year: Jason Moore

Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year: Justin Moses

Fiddle Player of the Year: Bronwyn Keith-Hynes

Guitar Player of the Year: Cody Kilby

Mandolin Player of the Year: Sierra Hull

LEARN MORE:

Have you always wanted to learn how to play the bluegrass mandolin? Through our comprehensive mandolin lessons online and Video Exchange Learning platform here at ArtistWorks, you can learn from internationally renowned players, like Sierra Hull, and get personal feedback on your playing.

Sierra’s course starts with the basics and teaches everything from beginner mandolin to advanced performance techniques, music theory, classic bluegrass tunes, and more. So, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, all levels are welcome and all students will grow and improve their skills as mandolinists and musicians.

Sample some free music lessons here and see what makes ArtistWorks courses some of the best online music lessons around!

READ MORE:

Going Live with Bryan Sutton, Sierra Hull, and Guthrie Trapp

Bluegrass Mandolin Lesson: An Introduction to Improvising with Sierra Hull

ArtistWorks Music Series Podcast—How to Find Your Own Sound with Sierra Hull