JAM believes

that children who are actively engaged in traditional mountain music are more connected and better prepared to strengthen their communities for future generations.

We envision

a world in which all children have the opportunity to experience community through the joy of participating in traditional mountain music together.

Our mission

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

What’s Happening in the JAM World

Teaching Tradition Workshop

( The Teaching Tradition virtual workshop will take place on November 13, 2021, from 9:00am - 12:30pm ET. Registration is open to folk arts instructors who work with In These Mountains partners, including Junior Appalachian Musicians, North Carolina Traditional Arts Programs for Students (TAPS), Hindman Settlement School, and Appalshop. Teaching Tradition is developed in partnership with Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education. Local Learning founding director Paddy...

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East Tennessee & Western North Carolina JAM Gathering

All JAM teachers, staff, volunteers and teaching assistants are welcome to attend a Regional JAM Teacher Gathering in Knoxville, Tennessee. There are currently four possible dates being considered on which to hold the event. Please complete the interest form and check which dates would be best for you to attend. We have had a few different directors express some interest in gathering to fellowship and trade ideas, thoughts, teaching methodologies, etc around our respective JAM programs....

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JAM Accepting Submissions to Perform at this year’s IBMA Bluegrass Live Festival!

  Junior Appalachian Musicians is excited to announce that we will be able to program several slots at this year's International Bluegrass Music Association's festival in Raleigh, North Carolina. The festival opens up to the public Friday and Saturday, October 1-2. JAM is accepting submissions of interest to play on the City Plaza Youth Stage for daytime stage slots. * First priority will be given to those performers with a "JAM Program Connection" under the age of 21. * Performers should...

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Our Sponsors & Community Partners