Chris Thile - 2012 MacArthur Fellow

The incredible mandolinist Chris Thile has been named a 2012 MacArthur Fellow. The annual fellowship, also known as the "genius" award, offers an unrestricted award of $500,000 over five years, recognizing individuals who "have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction"

Chris Thile has not only changed mandolin and bluegrass but has also blurred stylistic borders with collaborations with everyone from Edger Meyer to Brad Mehldau.