Blue Ridge chapter of Junior Appalachian Musicians recently announced students of the month for May and June, Radiance Hoagland and Maddox Wilson respectively.
Hoagland is the Student of the Month for May. Even though this was just her first year in JAM, she has progressed rapidly. Hoagland was nominated by her fiddle teacher, Jacquelyn Golden, who has been impressed by Hoagland’s regular practice, good attitude and affinity for improvisation.
Radiance Hoagland is JAM’s Student of the Month for May.
Wilson is the June award winner. He studies guitar with JAM teacher Dusk Weaver who pointed out Wilson’s persistence, his interest in seeking new songs to learn, and the fact that he is even creating some of his own material. According to Weaver, Wilson “simply has ‘the stuff’ and tops that off with applying himself faithfully.”
Maddox Wilson is JAM’s Student of the Month for June.
Known as the “Mr. Jarrett Award” in memory of beloved JAM volunteer Jarrett Davis, the recognition is given to a student each month who has demonstrated outstanding ability, good practice habits and congeniality.
With Covid-19 distancing protocols interrupting JAM classes in March, the program moved online with students taking lessons via the internet. The JAM board of directors voted to extend the online version of the program into the summer instead of ending the semester in early May which is when they usually take a break.
JAM-Blue Ridge is a 501c3 charitable organization serving students of the Plateau area in grades 3-12.
Those wishing to support JAM may contact Program Director Sarah Hall at shall@jcpsmail.org.
Pictured at the top of the article is a JAM concert on May 6, 2019.