SILER CITY, N.C. — Nine students have been named JMArts Scholars by the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, all receiving scholarships to pursue intensive fine arts study this summer.

They are Abigail Cockrum, Sandra Lopez, Serena Pietri, Clara Rojas, David Ta’Bon, Andrey Ureña-Seceña, Karsyn Vann, Elizabeth Vasquez Perez and Traycee Wall.

Scholarships are funded each year through individual contributions to the foundation and donations received at concerts and other events.

This year, the seven students studying music have been named JMArts-Fearrington Village Singers scholars thanks to a generous contribution from the community chorus composed of residents of Fearrington Village, Galloway Ridge and surrounding areas between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro.

And one other student, selected by audition for the PlayMakers Repertory Company Summer Youth Conservatory, has been named a JMArts-Mike Williams Scholar thanks to a generous contribution from the Jordan-Matthews PTA in memory of the late Jordan-Matthews science teacher.

“I’m thrilled that community organizations like the Fearrington Village Singers and the Jordan-Matthews PTA are supporting our students in this way,” said JMArts President Rose Pate. “It’s great to see partnerships develop that give kids this unique opportunity to both experience life on a college campus and bring back skills that raise the level of their contributions to JM arts programs.”

Cockrum, Pietri, Ta’Bon and Vann will attend the UNCG Summer Music Camp in Band in Greensboro.

Lopez, Vasquez Perez and Wall will attend the UNCG Summer Music Camp in Chorus in Greensboro.

Rojas will attend the Temple Theatre Summer Youth Conservatory in Sanford.

Ureña-Seceña will attend the Summer Youth Conservatory Theatre Intensive at PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill.

Since creating the awards 11 years ago, JMArts has presented 89 scholarships to 60 students, with some receiving awards to study for more than one summer. The initiative was designed to help young artists develop their talent, explore artistic options before making their college decisions and bring what they learn back to share with other Jordan-Matthews students.

Organizations and individuals interested in contributing to the JMArts Scholars program or other projects for high school artists may contact Pate at info@jmarts.org. Contributions can be made online by Venmo or PayPal and can be mailed to JMArts, PO Box 395, Siler City, NC, 27344.

More information about JMArts, including details about JMArts Scholars and upcoming events, is available at jmarts.org. Fearrington Village Singers maintain their website at fearringtonvillagesingers.org.

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