JM honors top student artists at JMArts award ceremony

SILER CITY, N.C. — Nine Jordan-Matthews High School artists received awards on May 28 during an annual ceremony highlighting outstanding student musicians, actors and visual artists. Awards are usually announced as part of JM Awards Night, an annual presentation highlighting top students across all disciplines. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, arts awards were announced by faculty members in video presentations on JMArts Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The awards ceremony is on Twitter or accessible on all platforms with the hashtag #JMAawards2020.

Buck Thornton, a freshman, received the 2020 Young Actor Award for his exceptional work as Jack in the fall production of “Into the Woods,” exhibiting outstanding talent in acting as well as a feel for complicated theatrical music.

Tiana Brooks, a junior, received the 2020 Young Artist Award. The talented artist also was named the 2020 JMArts-Rotary Scholar, won first prize at JM’s “Path to the Woods” fall art show and had work exhibited at the 2019 Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour Student Show.

Dayanara Rodriguez Mata, a freshman, received the 2020 Young Instrumentalist Award for her eagerness to pursue excellence in music and her other coursework, and for the joy and excitement she brings to the stage during performances.

Micaela Lopez, a freshman, received the 2020 Young Vocalist Award for her dedication to developing an exceptional voice while exhibiting an outstanding attitude and dedicated work ethic.

Jimmy Joyner III, a senior, was named the 2020 Outstanding Graduate in Band. The trombonist and four-year band veteran was recognized for his excellence, dedication and perseverance in instrumental performance. He emerged through many challenges with impressive courage and a positive attitude. Jimmy will attend East Carolina University this fall.

Jabez Lujan, a senior, was named the 2020 Outstanding Graduate in Jazz. The four-year band veteran and trombone player performed with JM’s Concert and Marching bands, but was inspired by the performance of the JM Jazz Band during its 2019 Music in May Concert to branch out into the world of jazz. Jabez plans to attend community college this fall.

Kayli McIntosh, a senior, was named the 2020 Outstanding Graduate in Theater. Her performance as Cinderella in “Into the Woods” received wide acclaim, but the actor also excelled in vocal music, performing with the All-Chatham Chorus and receiving the highest rating awarded as a soloist at the 2020 High School Choral MPA statewide evaluations. Kayli will attend UNC Greensboro this fall.

Jackelin Carrillo Ibarra, a senior, was named the 2020 Outstanding Graduate in Visual Art. A member of the National Art Honor Society, she was honored for consistently creating work that is formally, technically and conceptually sound. Jackelin will attend UNC Greensboro this fall.

Jennifer Trejo Benitez, a senior, was named the 2020 Outstanding Graduate in Vocal Music. The JMArts Scholar was winner of the 2019 Sing and Play student music competition, received the highest rating awarded at the 2020 High School Choral MPA statewide evaluations and has performed with the All-Chatham Chorus. She also has received accolades for her memorable dramatic performances, most recently as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” and the Witch in “Into the Woods”. Jennifer reports this summer to begin service in the U.S. Navy.

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

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Five JM student artists named 2020 JMArts Scholars

SILER CITY, N.C. — Five students have been named JMArts Scholars by the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, recognizing their excellence and dedication to the arts.

They are Brady Andrew, Tiana Brooks, Laci Burt, Josselyn Gonzalez Hernandez and Andrea Santiago. Brooks is the 2020 JMArts-Rotary Scholar, receiving a scholarship provided by the Rotary Club of Siler City.

JMArts Scholars generally receive funding for intensive summer study at weeklong, residential workshops on university campuses. But because summer arts programs have been canceled statewide during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s honorees will receive a $100 award deposited in their Jordan-Matthews High School arts accounts, which can be used to purchase specialized arts supplies or attend arts performances during the academic year. Sophomores and freshmen returning to JM for the 2021-22 academic year will be guaranteed summer study next year.

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

“So many things have been disrupted for our students this spring that we wanted to give them this honor,” said JMArts President Rose Pate. “And we want to give them hope that learning about what they love will continue.”

The artists had applied for scholarships before summer workshops were canceled. Andrew was planning to attend the UNCG Summer Music Camp in Greensboro, Brooks had applied for the UNCG Summer Arts and Design Intensive, Burt was making her second trip to the UNC Music Workshop in Chapel Hill, Gonzalez Hernandez was planning to attend the NC State High School Music Technology Camp in Raleigh and Santiago was applying for the ECU Summer Band Camp in Greenville.

Since creating the awards eight years ago, JMArts has presented 67 scholarships to 44 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 projects for high school artists 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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Three local students take prizes in third-annual "Sing and Play"

SILER CITY, N.C. — Three local students took top prizes last night in “Sing and Play ’20,” the third-annual student music competition at Jordan-Matthews High School. From auditions through the showcase concert, the event is designed as an educational experience for young musicians and a benefit concert for JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation.

Audience members voted Oliver Vang of Moncure School as best performance in the elementary division after his rousing vocal rendition of “Into the Unknown” from the film “Frozen II.”

Ari Carrillo Ibarra of Chatham Middle School topped the middle school competition with her performance of “Take Me to Church,” a song written and recorded by Hozier.

And in the high school competition, Luz Borrayo of Chatham Charter School took the prize for her vocal performance of “The Chain,” a song written and recorded by Fleetwood Mac.

While “Sing and Play” is open to instrumental and vocal acts, all 16 students in this year's showcase competition performed vocally, though some accompanied themselves on piano, guitar or ukulele. The winner of each division received a $50 prize.

Greg Burriss, a musician who directs the annual competition, believes “Sing and Play” is a valuable experience for all student musicians — even those who don’t make it onto the concert stage.

“It’s always inspiring to see the talent and enthusiasm of young musicians in our showcase concert,” he said. “But we also are happy that so many can experience the entire process that musicians go through regularly to perform, including auditioning in a supportive environment, in front of accomplished musicians."

Rose Pate, president of JMArts, said she loves to see the support and cooperative spirit among all of the contestants. “Even though this is a competition, the students backstage were cheering the other performers,” she said. “Watching them dance and lip-sync to everyone’s songs showed just how much they all love music. I’m so glad we are able to give students from all over our area this chance to perform.”

All money raised by the competition will be used by JMArts to provide opportunities for high school artists, including those participating in its third-annual 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.

Students this year will have the opportunity to learn from Broadway actor and Tony Award nominee Andy Grotelueschen, noted graffiti writer Leaf and Washington Post theater critic Peter Marks. Other opportunities to interact with world-class artists are still being arranged.

Musicians from Chatham County and across the state were eligible for “Sing and Play.” Contestants in the showcase concert were selected by Burriss and musician Joseph Walden during auditions in early February.

Pate expects “Sing and Play” to return next year with registration for auditions opening sometime around December 1. JMArts is already looking at possible dates for next year’s competition, which is likely to be held once again in mid- to late-February.

More information about “Sing and Play” and other arts events scheduled this season is available at jmarts.org. Photos from this year's auditions and showcase concert are online at facebook.com/JMHSArts.

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Winners of “Sing and Play ’20” were, from left, Luz Borrayo of Chatham Charter School, Ari Carrillo Ibarra of Chatham Middle School and Oliver Vang of Moncure School, all celebrating with concert host Lindley Andrew. (Photo by Chip Pate)

High School Winner: Luz Borrayo of Chatham Charter School. (Photo by Chip Pate)

Middle School Winner: Ari Carrillo Ibarra of Chatham Middle School. (Photo by Chip Pate)

Elementary School Winner: Oliver Vang of Moncure School. (Photo by Chip Pate)