Our Program

JAMM is a tuition free music program, which helps youth develop focus, self-control, leadership skills, and teamwork through ensemble. Students experience success through community performance and daily practice, and understand that effort and persistence help them overcome life’s challenges.

The In-School Program:
JAMM schools provide 1.5 hrs/wk of violin instruction as a school readiness program to all kindergartners and Grade 1 students to ensure that all children have access to the lifelong benefits that music provides. JAMM pairs a certified school teacher with a community artist to build a safe, structured and creative environment for students. Teachers also learn from one another, can be more collaborative and reflective of their lesson delivery, and model teamwork for their students.

The After-School Program:
In Grades 2 – 5, JAMM offers an optional, after school exploratory program, that includes sessions such as orchestra/chamber group and string sectionals, music technology, movement, recorders, songwriting, choir, ukulele, music literacy and/or Tlingit dance and drumming. JAMM helps students value creativity and the passion and precision central to music and other life pursuits.

Secondary Support:
JAMM continues to support alum through string orchestra coaching at Dzantiki Heeni Middle School, funding for a middle school Mariachi Ensemble, and private lesson scholarships. JAMM also pays high school musicians to coach elementary musicians at Glacier Valley and Riverbend elementary schools.

In partnership with the Juneau School District, the Juneau Symphony and the University of Alaska Southeast, JAMM launched a new initiative that resulted from several community needs:  JAMM needed more string teachers for its after-school programs and the symphony needed more string players. 

JAMM, the Juneau Symphony and community provided four $10,000 scholarships for string musicians to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching degree at UAS with a K-12 music certificate.  While attending UAS, these talented musicians will perform in the Juneau Symphony and at JAMM schools.  Read the bios of these talented musicians, and visit them on Facebook.