Robinson, 31, became interested in ragtime after an elementary school presentation that featured the music of Scott Joplin. He began studying the history of the early 20th-century musical form, and, by the age of 13, had taught himself to play the piano, learning Joplin's "The Entertainer" by ear.

In 1992‹at the age of 19‹he recorded his first demo, and was signed by Delmark Records. Since then, Robinson has recorded The Strongman (1993), Sounds in Silhouette (1994), Euphonic Sounds (1998), and Man out of Time (2003), and performed across the U.S. and in Europe. He plans to use the money to help educate children about ragtime music and its history.

Other recipients of this year's grants include a marine roboticist, a novelist, a farmer, and a high school debating coach.