An afterschool program that teaches traditional mountain music to elementary- and middle-school children was honored by Gov. Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin at the Old Fiddlers’ Convention in Galax.
“We are incredibly grateful to Governor and First Lady Youngkin for acknowledging our work with place-based education through this special award,” said Brett Morris, executive director of Junior Appalachian Musicians, which received the Spirit of Virginia Award from the Youngkins at the convention on Friday.
“The Spirit of Virginia will definitely continue to live on through the traditional music and dance being passed along to the next generation of culture bearers in the mountains through JAM,” Morris said.
Junior Appalachian Musicians was launched in 2000 in Sparta, N.C., and now supports more than 50 afterschool programs for students in grades 4-8 in Virginia, Tennessee and the Carolinas.
The program introduces traditional mountain music through small group instruction on instruments common to the Appalachian region, such as fiddle, banjo and guitar.
“Junior Appalachian Musicians exemplifies the spirit of innovation and community engagement that defines Virginia,” Glenn Youngkin said, during a break in the Old Time Band and Bluegrass Band competitions at the Old Fiddlers’ Convention on Friday night. “By empowering children with the gift of traditional mountain music, JAM enriches their lives and fosters a sense of belonging and cultural heritage. Their commitment to education, tradition, and community impact is a model for all organizations striving to make a difference.”
“Presenting the Spirit of Virginia Award to Junior Appalachian Musicians highlights how important the arts are to fostering community, in this case through traditional mountain music,” Suzanne Youngkin said. “JAM’s mission to provide tools and support for teaching old-time and bluegrass music to youth, bridges past to present and embodies the outstanding spirit of Virginia.”
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