SILER CITY, N.C. — Five community leaders have been appointed to the JMArts Board of Directors to help lead the local nonprofit organization providing educational opportunity for actors, artists, dancers and musicians at Jordan-Matthews High School.
Kevin Lindley and Zulma Ureña have accepted four-year appointments to the board. Current Jordan-Matthews student artists Delaney Fuquay, Charline Jimenez Rojo and Zyniuh Marsh have all accepted one-year appointments to the board. At least one Jordan-Matthews student artist is appointed each fall to a one-year term on the board. But, this year, three outstanding student artists applied for the position and all were appointed.
Other members of the JMArts board of directors are president Rose Pate, vice president Matt Fry, Angie Brady-Andrew, Greg Burriss, Heath Smith and William Ureña. Denise Partin serves as treasurer, but is not currently a member of the board.
Lindley is a civil engineer specializing in solid waste management and recycling, who also is a Jordan-Matthews graduate, musician and photographer focusing on lifestyle and sports. “As a JM alumnus, I have been thrilled to see the work JMArts has done to enhance arts education and provide amazing experiences for the students,” he says. "I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to this important work as a member of the board.”
Ureña has been a longtime volunteer and advisor for JMArts. She is employed as an English Language Learners Student Success Advocate for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and has provided many Spanish translations for JMArts.
Fuquay is an actor, vocalist and JMArts Scholar, having studied this summer at the UNCG Summer Music Camp in Greensboro. She performed the role of Miss Honey in Jordan-Matthews' spring production of “Matilda” and performed on the Durham Performing Arts Center stage in the ensemble for the 2025 DPAC Rising Star Awards. She plans to contibute to the board by brainstorming creative ideas, providing honest opinions and helping promote the school’s arts program.
Jimenez Rojo is a talented visual artist and JMArts Scholar, having studied this summer at the UNCG Summer Art and Design Initiative in Greensboro. Jimenez Rojo, who has taken art classes through the honors level and was selected for last year’s One Chatham Art clinic, said she looks forward to contributing great art that everyone loves and serving on the board so she can “help with anything and everyone.”
Marsh is a multidisciplinary artist, a visual artist who also has performed on guitar with The Co-Pilots, the Jordan-Matthews rock band — as well as in band, dance and theater. Her Audrey II puppet brought critical acclaim for her work as an artist and in “Matilda,” received rave reviews in a comic role as the Cook. Marsh said she is looking forward to contributing creative ideas, visual arts pieces and helping other artists.
JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization and nonprofit corporation registered with the State of North Carolina. It was created in 2011 to enhance arts education and provide exceptional opportunities for artists at the public high school.
In addition to creating and funding student arts workshops, performance opportunities and events, JMArts conducts three major projects each year.
Since being launched in 2012, JMArts Scholars has awarded 113 scholarships to 79 students for intensive study over the summer, usually at weeklong, residential workshops offered on university campuses. JMArts Scholars develop their talent, explore artistic options before making their college decisions and bring what they learn back to share with other Jordan-Matthews students.
JMArts also produces Jordan-Matthews’ annual musical, providing funding to secure performance rights and cover production costs, as well as handling marketing and promotion, box office and ticketing, and other business needs. Jordan-Matthews musicals have included the North Carolina premier of “Frozen” and have received several regional DPAC Rising Star Awards nominations.
Its latest project, Pinnacle of the Arts, gives Jordan-Matthews actors, artists, dancers and musicians an opportunity to experience world-class arts and learn directly from world-class artists. About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge — including excellent seating locations, transportation and even a meal.
This year’s Pinnacle series includes: Kotis Street Art Experience, a tour of world-class street art in Greensboro followed by a hands-on spray-paint workshop; Handel’s “Messiah” performed by the North Carolina Symphony and North Carolina Master Chorale; the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on its national tour; Behind the Scenes at the North Carolina Museum of Art, a look at the permanent collection, special exhibitions and how the museum curates and presents art; the world’s premier big band, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis; and the blockbuster musical, “Hamilton,” on its North American Broadway Tour.
More information about JMArts is available at JMArts.org.
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Community leaders recently appointed to the JMArts Board are, left to right beginning on the top row: Kevin Lindley, Zulma Ureña, Delaney Fuquay, Charline Jimenez Rojo and Zyniuh Marsh.