Experiencing World-Class Art.
Learning from World-Class Artists.
All Free to JM Students.

Pinnacle of the Arts gives JM 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. That includes excellent seating locations, transportation and even lunch or dinner, often at school before the journey begins. And thanks to generous contributions from our partners, the entire series is offered free of charge.

2024-25 PINNACLE OF THE ARTS: A LOOK BACK
a few scenes from last year’s inaugural series

WHAT KIND OF EVENTS DO YOU OFFER?

A lot depends on what is being performed or exhibited in our area during any given year. We try to assemble a series that features all of the fine arts offered in the JM curriculum — dance, instrumental music, theater, vocal music and visual arts — in a range from classical to contemporary. We’re still finalizing this season’s schedule; we have all of our events selected, but are waiting on final arrangements for some. But here are the events we’ve already announced:

And here were events in our 2024-25 inaugural season:

what world-class artists do students meet?

We work very hard to arrange time during each event for JM artists to meet world-class artists and learn about the work they’re experiencing. At the North Carolina Museum of Art, that meant behind-the-scenes access with professionals on staff to learn about key works on exhibit and how the art is obtained, presented and preserved. For performances, that often includes private conversations with artists who are performing.

Here are some of the artists meeting with students in our inaugural 2024-25 season. (There are some photos in the gallery above.)

  • Kimberly Akimbo. Cast members Emily Koch (Debra), Jim Hogan (Buddy), Skye Alyssa Friedman (Teresa), Miguel Gil (Seth) and Laura Woyasz (Pattie), and company executives Leigh Delano (Music Director and Orchestra Conductor), J. Kenneth Anthony (Assistant Company Manager) and Justin T. Scholl (Company Manager)

  • Carolina Ballet. Company dancers Alexa Testa, Emily Fretz and Daphne Little, and Chief Advancement Officer and former company dancer Adam Schiffer

  • North Carolina Symphony. Musical director and conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto and violinist Pablo Sánchez Pazos

WHO ARE ThE PARTNERS WHO MAKE THIS FREE FOR STUDENTS?

Glad you asked, because we’re honored to work with so many outstanding individuals and organizations who have been generous contributors to our work over the years. We’re working on the upcoming season now, but here are partners we have already announced:

  • Rose and Chip Pate

And here were our partners for the inaugural 2024-25 season:

  • Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Trust

  • The Wren Foundation

  • Rose and Chip Pate

The number and kinds of events we offer each year depends on our partners. So, if you are interested in helping at all — or know organizations or individuals who might! — please contact us as soon as possible.

The cost of each event varies depending on ticket prices, available discounts and transportation costs. In our inaugural season, each event was offered for between $800 and $3,000.

what inspired PINNACLE OF THE ARTS?

It all began with our New York Arts Adventure, where we took eight arts students to New York City for one week over spring break to experience the pinnacle of their arts and learn directly from world-class professionals in the city.

The week included five world-class theatrical or musical performances; backstage tours and post-show conversations with Broadway casts; and long conversations over lunch with accomplished professionals like theater producer Jessie Austrian, Tony nominee Andy Grotelueschen and theater critic Peter Marks. We also included a visit to the Museum of Modern Art and explored street art with a private tour and hands-on graffiti workshop.

Pinnacle of the Arts was created to make similar experiences available to many more JM students each year. Up to 150 students can attend at least one event each season.