Tourism Gives Back

For our 2024 Tourism Gives Back Initiative, we’re thrilled to partner with Junior Appalachian Musicians.

Junior Appalachian Musicians

Our Mission: To provide communities with the tools and support they need to teach children to play and dance to traditional old time and bluegrass music.

About the JAM Program: JAM is an after-school program for children in grades 4 – 8 and beyond that introduces music through small group instruction on instruments common to the Appalachian region, such as fiddle, banjo and guitar. In JAM, instrument instruction is often augmented by dance and vocal instruction as well as string band classes and group enrichment lessons, which introduce children to additional Appalachian culture and history. JAM now works with over 60 affiliates across the southeastern United States, including programs in nearby Montgomery County, Franklin County, Wythe County, Galax, Floyd and more. 

The JAM program model provides children with opportunities to not only learn traditional music, but to also perform in small and large groups. Field trips, visiting artists and an introduction to the rich history of music unique to each local community further supplement program offerings. Each JAM program is encouraged to foster musical traditions by teaching local styles of traditional mountain music and dance to children. Instructors are also encouraged to teach students to learn music by ear, as to preserve oral traditions as much as possible. Other teaching methodologies and instructional skills are covered in regional professional development and training sessions held multiple times per year and hosted by JAM. JAM also encourages student engagement across programs with regional performance and learning activities throughout the year.