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| About Us
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All children throughout the Appalachian Mountains have access to the joy of participation in the music of their heritage. Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc. helps communities provide opportunities for children to participate in the old-time and bluegrass music and dance traditions of the Southern Appalachians. JAM introduces children to the music of their heritage through small group instruction in instruments common to the Appalachian region. Instrument, dance and vocal instruction are augmented by stringband classes providing children opportunities to play and perform in small and large groups. JAM strives to make the program accessible to all students by providing free or low cost instrument loans and free or highly subsidized tuition. Field trips, visiting artists and an introduction to the rich history of music unique to local communities round out program offerings. Realizing the need to preserve a vital aspect of mountain culture as well as offer positive activities to underserved youth, local musicians and educators founded JAM in Alleghany County, NC in the spring of 2000. Interest in the program has spread rapidly with the National Endowment for the Arts, NC State Arts Council, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and "The Crooked Road - Virginia's Heritage Music Trail" providing partial funding to numerous individual programs in the region. "Junior Appalachian Musicians" was incorporated in 2008 as a non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt corporation to promote a shared vision and values and to provide an umbrella through which to offer resources, training materials and activities to benefit programs individually and collectively. Currently in over a dozen mountain counties in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, JAM is providing access to the joy of music to hundreds of youth while instilling renewed interest and pride in their heritage. We value…• Fostering local musical traditions • Positive, accessible learning environments which: a) Provide excellence in instruction with efficient administration and b) Encourage personal commitment, good character and improved self- esteem • Community involvement
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