The Vinegrass Organization’s mission is to enhance the cultural quality of life through the production of
American Roots concerts and festivals. We will preserve and foster this traditional American
genre of music through scholarships, workshops, and instruments, ensuring its place for generations to
come.
ABOUT VINEGRASS
The Vinegrass Organization is a not-for-profit music production company, that produces concerts,
camps, workshops, and The Vinegrass Music Festival, in order to raise money for our charitable mission.
The mission is to provide scholarships to students studying music at an accredited 4 year university, with
preference given to study within the American Roots genre. In addition to the scholarships,
we will subsidize camps and workshops, as well as provide instruments to younger students in need. As
the Vinegrass Organization plants their roots fiscally, an annual grant will be awarded to an artist or band
in the Rhythm & Roots genre, with preference to a Cape Cod band/artist.
Founded by Monica Rizzio in 2014, Vinegrass is a lifelong dream for Monica to give back to those who have helped her
become a professional musician. Raised on a ranch in east Texas, Monica always loved music, but her family's financial
means prohibited her from taking music lessons and having instruments. Her only instrument for the longest time
was her voice until she was able to play the flute in the middle school band. Monica did not learn to play the
fiddle, ukulele, or guitar until she was 22, after graduation from Belmont University in Nashville with a
degree in Music. She often wonders what may have been had she been given the opportunity as a child.
Monica opened up WASHASHORE MUSIC, a private music school in downtown Orleans. She
provides instruction in fiddle, guitar, piano, voice, ukulele, songwriting and artist development.
PROGRAMS
Throughout the year, Vinegrass will host The Vinegrass Music Series leading
up to the Vinegrass Music Festival. These concerts will feature regional and national touring bands and
artists in the Americana, Bluegrass, and Folk genres. The Vinegrass Music Festival, to be held October 2nd, 2022,
will invite higher profile touring bands and artists for a one day event to be held at Truro Vineyards. This will be an
all-ages event, and is the principal fundraiser for the Vinegrass Organization.