Thank you to the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund for sponsoring this event and providing this experience for JM students entirely free of charge!

JM artists travel to the Durham Performing Arts Center for “Hamilton,” the revolutionary Broadway musical that turned the world upside down. Excellent seating is in the center orchestra, on the 12th and 13th rows, where students will not only enjoy the broader theatrical experience, but also be able to see individual actors perform.

Following the performance, JM artists will learn directly from two members of the cast during a 20-minute conversation about the production — or anything else the group wants to pursue. They include Alex Nicholson, who will be performing as Aaron Burr, the role originated by Leslie Odom Jr., and Sabrina Harrison, who will be performing in the ensemble as The Bullet, a role originated by Ariana DeBose. We also appreciate actor JJ Jeter, who plays Aaron Burr; “Hamilton” publicist Gaby Godínez; and DPAC marketing staff Josette Roten and Emma Tonnemacher for arranging this rare opportunity.

Since opening off-Broadway 10 years ago, “Hamilton” has gathered awards and acclaim around the world. Sixteen Tony Award nominations and 11 wins, including awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. The Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music. And even the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the musical based on “Alexander Hamilton,” a 2004 book by biographer Ron Chernow that received the inaugural George Washington Book Prize for early American history and was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award. This sweeping musical tracing the life of the Founding Father launched many members of its original Broadway cast into stardom and has become firmly embedded in American culture.

This event is part of our 2025-26 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. We are still seeking a sponsor for this event; please contact us if you, your company or your organization might be interested.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge — including a meal and transportation. Other events in this year’s series include a tour of stunning outdoor murals in Greensboro with a hands-on spray-paint workshop conducted by street artist Jenna Rice and a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art. Also, performances of contemporary dance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Handel’s “Messiah” by the North Carolina Symphony and North Carolina Master Chorale, and jazz by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

Thank you to The Wren Foundation for sponsoring this event and providing this experience for JM students entirely free of charge!

JM artists travel to Memorial Hall at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, the world’s premier big band with 15 permanent performers led by legendary trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis. Excellent seating will be in the right orchestra, fifth through ninth rows, where students will not only enjoy the music, but also be able to see individual musicians perform.

Before the concert, JM musicians will learn directly from bass player Carlos Henriquez in a conversation during the concert soundcheck. Topics may include the evening’s program, jazz performance or any other musical topics they choose to pursue. Thank you to Todd Stoll and everyone with Jazz at Lincoln Center and to Megan Whitaker at Carolina Performing Arts for their generosity in arranging this rare opportunity to learn from the world’s best musicians.

Formed in 1988, the American big band has released more than 40 albums while performing regularly at the Rose Theater, the largest venue in the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex in New York City. The orchestra also backed Wynton Marsalis on his album, “Blood on the Fields,” a jazz oratorio by Marsalils that won the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Music.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis is one of music’s legendary figures. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, he has received nine Grammy Awards, winning two awards at age 22, one each in the jazz and classical categories. He also has been presented the National Medal of Arts, the National Humanities Medal and has been named a UN Messenger of Peace.

This event is part of our 2025-26 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. And thanks to The Wren Foundation, there is no charge for anyone to attend this event.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge — including a meal and transportation. Other events in this year’s series include a tour of stunning outdoor murals in Greensboro with a hands-on spray-paint workshop conducted by street artist Jenna Rice and a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art. Also, performances of contemporary dance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Handel’s “Messiah” by the North Carolina Symphony and North Carolina Master Chorale, and “Hamilton” on its North American Broadway Tour.

Thank you to The Wren Foundation for sponsoring this event and providing this experience for JM students entirely free of charge!

JM artists travel to the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh for a daylong exploration of the collection with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how the museum curates, preserves and presents some of the world’s most cherished art.

Behind the Scenes at the North Carolina Museum of Art is designed to connect JM artists critically, intellectually and joyfully with some of the world’s great works.

It includes full access to the museum’s permanent collection and all special exhibitions, a deep dive into North Carolina artists, and an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how the museum curates, preserves and presents artistic works. The day also includes lunch in the museum’s East Café.

This event is part of our 2025-26 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. And thanks to The Wren Foundation, there is no charge for anyone to attend this event.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge — including a meal and transportation. Other events in this year’s series include a tour of stunning outdoor murals in Greensboro with a hands-on spray-paint workshop conducted by street artist Jenna Rice. Also, performances of contemporary dance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, jazz by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Handel’s “Messiah” by the North Carolina Symphony and North Carolina Master Chorale, and “Hamilton” on its North American Broadway Tour.

Thank you to the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund for sponsoring this event and providing this experience for JM students entirely free of charge!

JM artists travel to Memorial Hall at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world’s most acclaimed dance companies. Excellent seating will be in the right orchestra, sixth through 10th rows, where students will not only enjoy the ensemble’s performance, but also will be able to see dancers’ individual techniques.

As we do with other events in this series, we are attempting to arrange some opportunity for JM musicians to meet one or more members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and perhaps discuss the evening’s performance. If something is scheduled, we will announce it on social media and update this event overview.

Formed in 1958 by Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Alvin Ailey, the company began in New York City as a showcase for young Black modern dancers. Over the years, the company evolved into a multiracial group creating groundbreaking dances and highlighting some of America’s most notable dancers and choreographers.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, now under the artistic direction of Alicia Graf Mack, has a repertory of about 300 works by more than 100 choreographers and has performed in more than 70 countries. This performance is expected to blend some of their best-known works, including “Revelations,” with newly choreographed dances.

This event is part of our 2025-26 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. We are still seeking a sponsor for this event; please contact us if you, your company or your organization might be interested.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge — including a meal and transportation. Other events in this year’s series include a tour of stunning outdoor murals in Greensboro with a hands-on spray-paint workshop led by street artist Jenna Rice and a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art. Also, performances of jazz by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Handel’s “Messiah” by the North Carolina Symphony and North Carolina Master Chorale, and “Hamilton” on its North American Broadway Tour.

Thank you to The Wren Foundation for sponsoring this event and providing this experience for JM students entirely free of charge!

JM artists travel to the Meymandi Concert Hall at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh for Handel’s “Messiah,” perhaps the world’s most renowned choral work, performed by the North Carolina Symphony and North Carolina Master Chorale. Excellent seating will be in the front section of the orchestra level, on the 12th through 16th rows, where students will not only enjoy the music, but also be able to see individual musicians perform.

Immediately after the concert, JM students will enjoy a special “meet and greet” with vocal soloists alto/mezzo soprano Taylor Raven and tenor Aaron Crouch, who will give a quick overview of their musical journeys before students have a chance to ask questions about the performance and discuss anything else of interest. We expect to have some time for photos and autographs.

Though the oratorio by George Frideric Handel received a modest reception when it debuted in Dublin in 1742, “Messiah” is now one of the world’s most performed choral works and has become an important part of Western culture. It features the “Hallelujah” chorus — now performed during the Christmas season, though it was composed in the oratorio as an Easter anthem — as well as many other notable choruses and arias.

Soloists scheduled are soprano Rachele Gilmore, alto/mezzo soprano Taylor Raven, tenor Aaron Crouch and bass Weston Hurt. Conducting the North Carolina Symphony is Katharina Wincor.

This event is part of our 2025-26 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. And thanks to The Wren Foundation, there is no charge for anyone to attend this event.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge — including a meal and transportation. Other events in this year’s series include a tour of stunning outdoor murals in Greensboro with a hands-on spray-paint workshop led by street artist Jenna Rice and a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art. Also, performances of jazz by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, contemporary dance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and “Hamilton” on its North American Broadway Tour.

🎻 NC SYMPHONY PROGRAM: Handel’s Messiah

Thank you to Pate & Associates Marketing, Chip and Rose Pate, for sponsoring this event and providing this experience for JM students entirely free of charge!

Jordan-Matthews High School artists travel to Greensboro for a private tour of stunning street art led by Marty Kotis of Kotis Street Art followed by a hands-on, spray-paint workshop taught by professional muralist Jenna Rice, where students will learn basic spray paint technique and collaborate on large-scale works. The morning will include insight into the variety and creation of street art — from graffiti to fine-art murals.

We’re pleased to work with Kotis Street Art to develop this brand-new experience based on a wildly popular morning for JM students exploring street art in Brooklyn during our New York Arts Adventure.

Jenna Rice is a professional muralist and street artist based in Greensboro who specializes in spray paint. The native New Englander moved to Lakeland, Fla., to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art in 2012 from Florida Southern College. She now enjoys “playing with different colors, styles and media” while working on commissions throughout Greensboro and well beyond. She also maintains her Jenna Rice Art YouTube channel, where she shares dozens of videos with insight and tips on street art technique.

Marty Kotis is a commercial real estate developer who gained an appreciation for street art through his travels in Berlin, Bristol (England) and London before beginning to incorporate street art into real estate projects. Kotis Street Art has evolved into a collection of public art that includes nearly 200 installations throughout Greensboro and has brought together local and international artists to create public art. He has worked with international artists from Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

This event is part of our 2025-26 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. And thanks to Pate & Associates Marketing, Chip and Rose Pate, there is no charge for anyone to attend this event.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge — including a meal and transportation. Other events in this year’s series include a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art. Also, performances of contemporary dance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, jazz by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Handel’s “Messiah” by the North Carolina Symphony and North Carolina Master Chorale, and “Hamilton” on its North American Broadway Tour.

🫟 MAP: Kotis Street Art Tour and Workshop
🫟 FLYER": Kotis Street Art Tour and Workshop
📸 “Joker” by Raman (Kotis Street Art)

Thank you to the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund for sponsoring this event and providing this opportunity for students entirely free of charge.

JM artists travel to the Durham Performing Arts Center for the national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical “Kimberly Akimbo” followed by a private conversation with members of the cast and crew.

Joining the post-show discussion are: Emily Koch (Debra), Jim Hogan (Buddy), J. Kenneth Anthony (Assistant Company Manager), Skye Alyssa Friedman (Teresa), Miguel Gil (Seth), Laura Woyasz (Pattie), Justin T. Scholl (Company Manager) and Leigh Delano (Music Director).

This event is part of our 2024-25 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. And thanks to the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund, there is no charge for anyone to attend this event.

A new musical about growing up and growing old, Kimberly Akimbo is the winner of five 2023 Tony Awards including Best Musical. It features Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek), a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen) and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone.

Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show” (The New Yorker), Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush … and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure.

Our new Pinnacle of the Arts series provides an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. We’re also working to arrange some post-performance opportunities at each event to meet the artists and learn more about what students just experienced.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge. This includes excellent seating locations, travel and a meal. “Kimberly Akimbo” is offered to everyone free of charge thanks to a contribution by the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund. Others sponsoring Pinnacle of the Arts events this season are The Wren Foundation and Chip and Rose Pate.

Pinnacle of the Arts events this season include an international tour stop by contemporary music legend Herbie Hancock, Carolina Ballet’s renowned production of “The Nutcracker,” the North Carolina Symphony performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and this national Broadway tour of “Kimberly Akimbo.” We also are offering a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Thank you to the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund for sponsoring this event and providing this opportunity for students entirely free of charge.

JM artists travel to the Meymandi Concert Hall at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh for the North Carolina Symphony’s performance of Beethoven Symphony No. 9, one of the world’s most renowned works of classical music. This event is part of our 2024-25 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. And thanks to the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund, there is no charge for anyone to attend this event.

Immediately after the concert, JM students will enjoy a special “meet and greet” with two key members of the orchestra: violinist Pablo Sánchez Pazos and Musical Director Carlos Miguel Prieto, a Grammy-winner and conductor of the North Carolina Symphony. The musicians will give a quick overview of their musical journeys before students have a chance to ask questions about the performance and anything else of interest. The session concludes with time for photos and autographs.

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, is a choral symphony first performed in Vienna in 1822 and acclaimed as one of the world’s masterpieces, having become one of the most-often performed symphonies in the world. In one of the most-recognized moments in all of Western music, the symphony’s choral finale features a setting of Friedrich Schiller’s 1785 poem “Ode to Joy.”

The North Carolina Symphony, conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto, will be joined on stage by the North Carolina Master Chorale for a program that includes:

Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels: Psalm 23 from Omar
Brahms: Alto Rhapsody
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9

Click Here for the Printed Program

Our new Pinnacle of the Arts series provides an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. We’re also working to arrange some post-performance opportunities at each event to meet the artists and learn more about what students just experienced.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge. This includes excellent seating locations, travel and a meal. The North Carolina Symphony is offered to everyone free of charge thanks to a contribution by the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund. Others sponsoring Pinnacle of the Arts events this season are The Wren Foundation and Chip and Rose Pate.

Pinnacle of the Arts events this season include the national Broadway tour of “Kimberly Akimbo,” Carolina Ballet’s renowned production of “The Nutcracker,” an international tour stop by contemporary music legend Herbie Hancock, and this North Carolina Symphony performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. We also are offering a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Thank you to The Wren Foundation for sponsoring this event and providing this opportunity for students entirely free of charge.

JM artists travel to the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh for Opening Night of the Carolina Ballet’s renowned production of Tchaikovsky’s iconic “The Nutcracker.” This event is part of our 2024-25 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. And thanks to The Wren Foundation, there is no charge for anyone to attend this event.

Before the show, dancers who will be performing — Alexa Testa, Emily Fretz and Daphne Little, along with Chief Advancement Officer Adam Schiffer — will meet with students to discuss the ballet they’re about to experience and answer questions about the life and craft of professional dancers.

It’s Christmas Eve where family and friends have gathered to decorate the tree. When one little girl receives the gift of a nutcracker, a fanciful journey begins. Toys come to life. The nutcracker battles the Mouse King and transforms into a prince, who takes the girl into a magical Land of Sweets, ruled by a sugar plum fairy.

Adapted from an 1816 short story, the classical ballet was introduced in 1892 by master composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, whose other ballets include “Swan Lake” and “The Sleeping Beauty.” After a lukewarm initial reception, “The Nutcracker” has become one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions and a beloved holiday standard performed to audiences worldwide.

This annual Carolina Ballet production marries the charm of the original with fresh choreography, vibrant sets and stunning costumes, making it the company’s most-attended production ever.

Our new Pinnacle of the Arts series provides an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. We’re also working to arrange some post-performance opportunities at each event to meet the artists and learn more about what students just experienced.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge. This includes excellent seating locations, travel and a meal. “The Nutcracker” is offered to everyone free of charge thanks to a contribution by The Wren Foundation. Others sponsoring Pinnacle of the Arts events this season are the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund and Chip and Rose Pate.

Pinnacle of the Arts events this season include the national Broadway tour of “Kimberly Akimbo,” the North Carolina Symphony performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, an international tour stop by contemporary music legend Herbie Hancock, and this renowned Carolina Ballet production of “The Nutcracker.” We also are offering a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Thank you to Rose and Chip Pate for sponsoring this event and providing this opportunity for students entirely free of charge.

JM artists travel to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for jazz legend Herbie Hancock on his 2024 international tour. This event is part of our 2024-25 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. And thanks to Chip and Rose Pate, there is no charge for anyone to attend this event.

With an illustrious career spanning five decades and 14 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for “River: The Joni Letters,” Hancock continues to amaze audiences across the globe. The Chicago native hit the stage with the Donald Byrd group and Miles Davis Quintet before recording his first solo album, “Takin’ Off,” in 1962 and later exploring music of all kinds — including jazz fusion, R&B, funk, electro and African styles. He currently is a professor at UCLA, where he teaches music, serves as chairman of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and is now in the studio at work on a new album.

Along the way, Hancock recorded more than 40 studio albums, was the subject of six concert films, wrote two books and appeared almost a dozen times on television and film. His score for “Round Midnight” received the 1986 Academy Award for Best Original Score and his countless other accolades include everything from MTV Awards for individual works to prestigious career honors, including Kennedy Center Honors, election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the 2018 Benjamin Franklin Medal from the Royal Society of Arts, awarded annually to one citizen of the United Kingdom or United States.

Our new Pinnacle of the Arts series provides an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. We’re also working to arrange some post-performance opportunities at each event to meet the artists and learn more about what students just experienced.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge. This includes excellent seating locations, travel and a meal. Herbie Hancock is offered to everyone free of charge thanks to a contribution by Rose and Chip Pate. Others sponsoring Pinnacle of the Arts events this season are The Wren Foundation and the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund.

Pinnacle of the Arts events this season include the national Broadway tour of “Kimberly Akimbo,” Carolina Ballet’s renowned production of “The Nutcracker,” the North Carolina Symphony performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and this international tour stop by contemporary music legend Herbie Hancock. We also are offering a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art.

📸 Danny Clinch