Seven local student artists named 2018 JMArts Scholars

SILER CITY, N.C. — Seven students have been named JMArts Scholars by the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, each receiving a full scholarship to attend a university fine arts workshop this summer.

They are Corrine Collison, David Gonzalez Hernandez, Aaron Partin, Jennifer Trejo Benitez, Jackie Vasquez, Samantha Zarate and Jose Zendejas.

Scholarships are funded through individual contributions to the foundation and income generated from ticket sales for the annual fall musical, fundraising projects and admission from a few major concerts during the academic year.

“We had a really great group of applicants this year,” said JMArts president Rose Pate. “The chance to live the life of a college music or art major for a week can make a big impact on their decision whether to pursue the field.”

Three musicians will study vocal music. Collison and Zarate will attend the ECU Summer Choir Camp in Greenville, while Trejo will study at the UNC Music Workshop in Chapel Hill. “Corrine and Samantha are both true leaders in our music and theatre program, and Jennifer has shown a lot of promise as she’s become involved,” said Pate. “I'm excited to see all these vocalists build on their skills this summer."

ECU Summer Band Camp in Greenville will host three other musicians. Gonzalez on clarinet and Partin on trombone will participate in the concert track, while Zendejas on trumpet will study jazz. "For each of these students, this will be their first time time to attend a residential music workshop," said Pate. "I know they will come back ready to be leaders in our program."

Vasquez, a vocalist and visual artist, will pursue visual art at the UNCG Summer Arts and Design Intensive in Greensboro. “Jackie is a talented singer, but she's also interested in art," said Pate. "I think it's great she'll have the chance to develop her skills in that area."

Since creating the awards six years ago, JMArts has presented 54 scholarships to 36 students, with some receiving awards to study for more than one summer. The initiative was designed to help young artists develop their talent, explore artistic options before making their college decisions and bring what they learn back to share with other Jordan-Matthews students.

Businesses and individuals interested in contributing to the JMArts Scholars program or other foundation projects may contact Pate at 919-742-2916 or rpate@chatham.k12.nc.us. Checks can be mailed to JMArts, PO Box 395, Siler City, NC, 27344.

More information about JMArts, including details about JMArts Scholars and upcoming events, is available at jmarts.org.

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JM's Samantha Zarate Rangel named finalist in Triangle Rising Stars theater competition

SILER CITY, N.C. — Samantha Zarate Rangel dazzled audiences last fall when Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical, “In the Heights,” filled the Jordan-Matthews High School stage. And now it appears she dazzled some judges as well.

The junior from Siler City was named one of 10 finalists for Best Actress for her performance as Nina in the annual Triangle Rising Stars musical theater competition.

About 150 students in central and eastern North Carolina were evaluated for individual awards this year before judges trimmed the field to 10 male and 10 female finalists.

Zarate and the other individual finalists will attend a weekend workshop and perform on stage in the Triangle Rising Stars Awards Show on May 15, 7:30 p.m., at the Durham Performing Arts Center. General admission tickets are $10 from the theater or Ticketmaster.com. Fees apply to purchases online.

“Playing the role of Nina was an amazing experience,” Zarate says. “It was definitely a challenge, but I can relate to her so well as I come from a Hispanic household. I am so excited to share this with others on the DPAC stage."

Zarate is no stranger to local audiences. One year before “In the Heights,” she earned acclaim as Hodel in the Jordan-Matthews production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” another role featuring an emotionally charged solo. The honors vocal music student and JMArts Scholar also performed last month with Chatham’s All-County Chorus.

As Jordan-Matthews's choral music teacher and music director for musicals, Matt Fry has high expectations for his student. Still, he was moved every night when Zarate performed that emotional number, her character's mournful tribute to a neighborhood matriarch who had just passed away.

“Samantha made me cry every night when she sang ‘Everything I Know,’” Fry says. “The amount of feeling she put into that song was mesmerizing. I tried not to, but the tears just came."

Zarate, the daughter of Victoria Rangel Lopez and Elias Zarate Amador, is the fifth Jordan-Matthews actor to be selected as a Triangle Rising Stars finalist.

Ashley Griffin was the first, in 2013, for her performance as Fiona McLaren in “Brigadoon.” She was followed by Heath Smith in 2014 for his performance as Daddy Warbucks in “Annie,” Nick Guaraglia in 2015 for his performance as Kenickie in “Grease” and Jasmine Brower last year for her performance as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Students from the Triangle and Greensboro regions who performed a qualifying role in their high school musical were eligible for consideration as finalists. Judges attended performances and evaluated video highlights to make their selections.

Triangle Rising Stars is part of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, a showcase for student performers across the United States. Best Actors and Best Actresses selected from 40 regional competitions receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York, where they participate in a nine-day intensive workshop with Broadway coaches and accomplished professionals before performing at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway.

“In the Heights” was made possible by significant contributions from JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, a nonprofit supporting arts education at Jordan-Matthews High School.

The organization conducts the JMArts Scholars program, offers the New York Arts Adventure and conducts many other projects to enrich the school’s artistic community. More information is available online at jmarts.org.

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Three local students take prizes in first-ever "Sing and Play"

SILER CITY, N.C. — Three local students took prizes home from “Sing and Play,” the new talent competition and benefit for JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, that held its debut on February 22 at Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City.

Audience members voted Kaitlyn Evans of Chatham Charter School as best performance in the elementary division on the strength of her vocal performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah."

Edith Soto of Chatham Middle School received the most votes among middle schoolers after singing “Hard Times,” a song made popular by Paramore.

And in the hotly contested high school competition, Corrine Collison of Jordan-Matthews High School came out on top thanks to her vocal performance of Andra Day’s “Rise Up."

Sixteen students, in all, competed for prizes with the winner of each division receiving a $50 award. But everyone enjoyed the appreciation of an enthusiastic audience.

“That may have been the best thing about the entire evening,” said Rose Pate, the event director and president of JMArts. “The audience seemed to love the show and all of the musicians, and I was extremely proud of how all of our contestants performed and supported each other. I can’t wait to see what next year’s competition will bring.”

Pate said she also was impressed by Jordan-Matthews artists who helped staff the show. “A lot of people after the show were talking about how great Orlando Balderas was as the show’s emcee, and I agree completely. There were a lot of others who contributed — as ushers or part of our backstage crew — to make this a student-run event. I couldn’t be prouder.”

"Sing and Play" was organized as a benefit for JMArts. All money raised by the competition will be used by JMArts to provide opportunities for student artists, including its inaugural New York Arts Adventure. That trip scheduled over spring break gives upperclass musicians, actors and visual artists an opportunity to explore one of the world’s great cities, experience the very best in the arts, and gain new perspectives and experiences that will influence their lives and work.

Musicians from Chatham County and beyond were eligible to audition for the showcase concert. While all of this year’s performances were vocal, the competition is open to instrumental musicians as well.

Auditions for next year’s “Sing and Play” will be in January, with the showcase concert in late February. Pate said the arts foundation is looking at options now and dates should be announced in the next month or two.

More information about "Sing and Play," including photos from the auditions and showcase concert, is online at facebook.com/JMHSArts. Details about JMArts and other events scheduled for this season are available at jmarts.org.

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