Melissa Walker
Building connection and community through jazz
This nationally recognized jazz program for youth makes jazz accessible in underserved school districts. JAZZ HOUSE KiDS is the only community arts organization in New Jersey (and New York City) exclusively dedicated to educating children through America’s home-grown art form. Its year-round programs ensure that every student has access to music, education, mentoring, and apprenticeship. JAZZ HOUSE KiDS also presents the annual Montclair Jazz Festival.
Sharron Miller
Encouraging creativity, building skills, and fostering self-discipline and a love of the arts
This woman-led, Black-led nonprofit dance and related theater arts school provides comprehensive, inclusive developmental training to students at every stage of life, as well as classes in Paterson public schools and Newark’s KIPP school.
Melina Garcia
Developing productive future members of our communities through the joy of music
Modeled on the El Sistema music education program, UCMP provides affordable orchestral training to students in underserved communities in Hudson County and beyond. Its programs instill crucial life skills, self-esteem, self-expression, and creativity in its students, who are taught by renowned conductors and play at world-class festivals.
Tom von Oehsen
Lifting spirits, pushing boundaries through circus arts
A former circus performer and graduate of the prestigious Ringling Brothers Clown College, Tom co-founded the Trenton Circus Squad to bring free circus arts classes—from juggling and acrobatics to tightrope walking—to children and teens in the Trenton area. Participants experience joy as they build self-esteem, gain confidence, and learn important life skills.
Betty Prezzy Bryant
Building a community of high-achieving arts lovers and arts makers
Starting as a small children’s music program in an underserved community in Elizabeth that served about 50 students, the Institute now provides over 1,000 New Jersey youth annually with affordable, high-quality arts training in a creative and nurturing environment. Classes for students in K-12 are available in instrumental music, performing arts, visual & media arts, and specialty classes.
Tawanda Jones
Creating opportunities for a better future through drill performanc
Tawanda was only 15 years old when she founded this “lifesaving organization disguised as a drill team” with no funding but with a mission to motivate, educate, and empower youth through the structure and discipline of a drill team and the performing arts. The CSS Drill Team provides a positive outlet, safe haven, and support for kids in one of the poorest and most dangerous cities in America. Since its founding in 1986, thousands of students have gone through the program, and 100% of them have graduated from high school.
