A soloist is a performer who takes center stage alone, separate from a group. In an orchestra, a soloist might step forward to play a violin concerto while the other musicians support them. In a choir, a soloist sings a verse by themselves before the full choir joins back in.

Being a soloist often involves both skill and courage. You need the talent to carry a performance on your own, but you also need the confidence to stand alone in front of an audience. A jazz saxophone soloist improvises a melody while the band keeps rhythm behind them. A ballet soloist dances their own variation while other dancers wait in the wings.

A soloist isn't always completely alone: they often perform with a group, just separately from the group for a special moment. A soloist gets the spotlight briefly, then blends back in or lets others shine. When a talented fourth-grader plays a piano piece at the school concert while classmates wait their turn, that student becomes a soloist for those few minutes.