Hailey Sandoz

Hailey Sandoz is a Texas-bred musician, following a less-trodden path among millennials. Her music is rooted in western swing, cowboy, bluegrass, jazz, and Celtic music. This remarkable young performer captures the attention of audiences young and old through her dynamic performance and representation of Western Swing, “the official music of Texas.” Hailey is known for her exciting fiddling, charming personality, jazzy vocals, creative composing and arranging skills. Western swing is her most fun wheelhouse, but her multi-genre versatility is also being recognized in Country, Bluegrass & Jazz. Making her way around the world, Hailey performs nationally and internationally, on cruise ships, festivals abroad, such as Equiblues Festival in France and travels full-time with Grammy-Award Winner Bobby Flores and his Yellow Rose Band, besides appearing as a soloist with various artists. In addition, Hailey has appeared with Bobby Flores on two seasons of the RFDTV series, “TruCountry,” which airs every week. Hailey has also been recognize for her achievements by being awarded: the 2019 Cowtown Society of Western Music Rising Star of the Year, 2017 International Western Music Association Instrumentalist of the Year, being 18 years old, was the youngest person to have received this honor. She was also 2016 Academy of Western Artist Young Artist of the Year, 2015 International Western Music Association Crescendo Rising Star, 2015 International Western Music Association Youth Harmony winner, and numerous Celtic fiddling awards. 

Throughout the years Hailey has had the privilege performing with notable artists such as Leon Rausch, Tommy Allsup, Dave Alexander, Dick Gimble & Liz Carroll, Justin Trevino, and had the honor of opening for Michael Martin Murphey (Winnsboro Cowboy Gathering & Heber Valley Cowboy Festival), Billy Dean (Heber Valley Cowboy Festival) and Crystal Gale (Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium-Dave Alexander). 

Growing up, Hailey's first interest was soccer. Initially trained by her father, Hailey went on to play Select soccer with soccer guru Tony Billy (former Dallas Sidekick). Starting in 2007, Hailey began pursuing classical violin, eventually focusing her interests more on folk styled genres. A few years later Hailey started Irish Dancing with Shandon-O'Regan School of Irish Dance, where she began competing in numerous competitions around the U.S. After four years, she was competing in the Championship levels. 

Due to frequent exposure to the music, Hailey started playing Irish music, honing her skills at the O'Flaherty Music Camps and Retreats. 

By nine years old, Hailey was a member of the cowboy church worship team as well as a privileged member of the “T.I.M.E.S. Session Players”, which features the top traditional Irish musicians in DFW. 

Later on Hailey started a duo with guitarist Joseph Carmichael (Óga), and debuted their first album “Fingerprints” in December of 2014 at 15 years old; which received outstanding reviews from International Radio Show “Live Ireland” plus publications in “Western Way” & “The Ceili.” Their Cd has been played around the U.S. & on international radio stations. 

Hailey’s gifts aren’t limited to music. At 18 months Hailey's love for horses began. Her passion for the western lifestyle and natural ability to work with horses opened many opportunities to work with a variety of horseman in the area. Hailey trained with horseman, Greg Robinson, honing her Horsemanship skills in a variety of western disciplines. 

Hailey knows none of this would be possible without God. She knows the gifts of talent come from above and her heart belongs to God, serving in music and dance. 

Achievements: 

2019 Cowtown Society of Western Music, Rising Star of the Year 

2017 IWMA, Instrumentalist of the Year, (18 years old, youngest person to have received this honor). 

2016 AWA, Young Artist of the Year 
2015 IWMA Youth Harmony Contest with Kristyn Harris & Leah Sawyer 
2015 IWMA Crescendo Rising Star Award 
2012 Byron D. Cameron Memorial Music Scholarship 
2009-11 1st Place Music Award- Oklahoma Feis 

2011 1st Place Music Award -Corpus Christi Feis 

2009-2011st Place & 2nd Music Award-Bluebonnet Feis 

*International Western Music Association (IWMA) 

*Academy of Western Artist (AWA)