About JAM
Realizing the need to preserve a vital aspect of mountain culture as well as the need for positive activities to underserved youth, Helen White, then a guidance counselor at Sparta Elementary School, founded the first JAM program in Alleghany County, NC in the spring of 2000 with help from other local musicians and educators. Interest in the program spread rapidly with assistance from the National Endowment for the Arts, NC State Arts Council, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and “The Crooked Road – Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.”
In 2007, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation provided funding to allow the development of a regional infrastructure. The Dana Foundation, Virginia Commission for Arts, the Virginia Foundation for Humanities, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Harris and Frances Block Foundation and the Tides Foundation have provided funding for materials development.
“Junior Appalachian Musicians” was incorporated in 2008 as a non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt corporation to promote a shared vision of JAM and to provide an umbrella through which to offer resources, training materials and activities to benefit programs individually and collectively. Currently in over 60 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Georgia, JAM affiliates are providing access to the joy of music to thousands of youth while instilling renewed interest and pride in their heritage. Click here to learn a whole lot more about JAM, Inc.
Registration and Fees
Over the past 5 years, JAM of Upper East Tennessee has expanded beyond University School to serve community programs in Washington and Sullivan Counties, totaling 3 JAM programs within the upper East Tennessee region. JAM seeks to preserve our important mountain music heritage by offering low cost music instruction of the Appalachian region in banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, and song to small groups of students in after school settings.
Students will need to commit to attendance of all weekly classes. Transportation from school to the JAM site is not be provided, and parents will need to pick up students at the designated time. Costs will be kept low—approx $12/week (+ $4 reg fee) for 75 minutes of group instruction. Instruments may be available for JAM students during the time of their participation in the program on a first come, first served basis. Registration is nonrefundable.
JAM of Upper East Tennessee Locations
TAMHA JAM (Sullivan County-open to community)
Program dates: August 25- December 2, 2025
Cost: $150 for 12 weekly small group/string-band lessons
When/Where: Mondays, 4:30-5:45 pm; Sullivan Central Middle School
Serving grades: 4-12
Registration closes: August 15, 2025
Johnson City JAM (open to community)
Program dates: September 2- December 2, 2025
Cost: $150 for 12 weekly small group/string-band lessons
When/Where: Tuesdays, 3:45-5:00pm; Ashley Academy
Serving grades: 4-12
Registration closes: August 15, 2025
University School JAM (ETSU-open to University School students only )
Program dates: August 28- December 11, 2025
Cost : $150 for 12 weekly small group/string-band lessons
When/Where: Thursdays, 3:15-4:30pm; University School (ETSU Campus)
Serving grades: 4-12
Registration closes: August 15, 2025
