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 featuring 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.
Our 2026-27 series is being developed now and events will be announced as each one is finalized. But we do have one that’s confirmed for spring:
Here was our 2025-26 series:
Other past events included: Herbie Hancock, The Nutcracker (Carolina Ballet), North Carolina Symphony Performs Beethoven’s Ninth and “Kimberly Akimbo” (National Broadway Tour).
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 who met with students in our most recent season. (There are some photos in the gallery above.)
“Hamilton.” Broadway actors Alex Nicholson and Sabrina Harrison
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Bass player Carlos Henriquez
Behind the Scenes at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Head Librarian Andrew Wang
Handel’s “Messiah”. Vocal soloists alto/mezzo soprano Taylor Raven and tenor Aaron Crouch
Kotis Street Art Experience. Professional muralist and street artist Jenna Rice and street art patron Marty Kotis
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. For the 2025-26 Pinnacle of the Arts series, we were blessed to welcome back all of the partners who last year helped us create our inaugural season:
Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Trust
The Wren Foundation
Pate & Associates Marketing (Chip and Rose Pate)
The number and kinds of events we offer each year depends on our partners. So, if you are interested in helping at all next season — 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, but each generally costs 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 180 students can attend at least one event each season.