WiseJAMS Fall 2021 semester to be held virtually

Wise, VA – WiseJAMS provides traditional mountain music instruction and cultural enrichment opportunities for 3rd through 8th grade students in Wise, Pound, Big Stone Gap, and Appalachia in an after-school setting. Since learning to play an instrument involves close contact between teachers and students, the WiseJAMS staff feels that hosting the program in person at this time may jeopardize the health of students, instructors, and their families. As a result, WiseJAMS will be offered virtually for the Fall 2021 semester. The program will offer 10 virtual lessons on Tuesdays from 4:30pm - 5:30pm beginning October 12 and ending on December 14. Lessons will combine students from the Big Stone Gap/Appalachia and Wise/Pound programs, and are also open to area homeschool students.

​To register a student, please fill and submit the registration form at proartva.org/wisejams by October 8. If your student needs to borrow an instrument, please fill and submit the instrument loan agreement on the same page by October 6. Program cost is $25 for the semester, and scholarships are available for those in need. The Pro-Art Association is the non-profit fiscal agent for the program, and tuition payments can be made through the Pro-Art website at: proartva.org/wisejams or by mailing checks made payable to WiseJAMS to Pro-Art, P.O. Box 179, Wise, VA 24293.

WiseJAMS is an affiliate of Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc. (JAMS). The program fosters artistic understanding and expression in students with the purpose of preserving the region’s unique musical heritage. WiseJAMS helps children build the skills and confidence necessary to become stronger musicians, leaders, and advocates for their communities and themselves.

Pro-Art’s mission is to promote the arts and expand accessibility to cultural experiences for residents and students in Wise, Lee, and Dickenson Counties and the City of Norton. For more information about planned performances, please visit proartva.org. You can find the Pro-Art Association on social media @ProArtVA.

If you have any questions, please visit proartva.org, call the office at 276/376-4520, or send an email to pro-art@uvawise.edu.