JJ's Annual Gig Is Roaring Success!

JJ’s Arts Academy held their 6th Annual Music Gig on Sunday 7th June to crowds of over 600 people. The gig was held at Newton Abbot Racecourse and saw over 150 students performing across two stages.
Live music started at 1pm with an impressive Samba Drum piece played on the outside stage and Game of Thrones blasting out from the inside stage, the event certainly started with a bang. During the afternoon students were playing Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums and Keyboard. The academies vocal classes were also out in strength with some breath taking performances whilst also adding another level to some of the instrumental performances providing Vocals. Joanna Walling, Director of JJ's Arts Academy, says 'our annual festival showcases and celebrates the hard work our students, their families and our staff put in and this year was bigger and better than previous years. The sun shone, students performed brilliantly and we had huge supportive audience and we are now looking forward to what the next twelve months holds!'
The staff at JJ’s Arts Academy took the day as a chance to highlight just a few of the phenomenal musicians they have at the Academy. Awards were presented throughout the day praising not just pure talent but hard work and dedication too. Junior Keyboard Player of the Year went to Luke Rawle with Keyboard Player of the Year going to Ellie Doidge. Junior Singer of the Year was awarded to Tia Winsborrow and Singer of the Year to Ellie Wood, for her incredible growth in confidence whilst at the Academy. Drummer of the Year went to Michael Foskett and Guitarist of the Year to Shay Newcombe. The winner of the Rising Star Award was Chloe Pike. Having studied at the Academy for many years she is now an accomplished multi-instrumentalist with a beautiful voice to match. Chloe is not only talented as a musician but is also currently studying hard to gain her Music Theory Diploma at JJ’s Arts Academy. She is certainly one to watch.
JJ’s Arts Academy is lucky enough to have some of its students provided with financial aid from the Helen Foundation. This amazing local charity helps fund students across the arts who otherwise would be unable to afford things such as music lesson. In honour of this brilliant charity each year JJ’s Arts Academy presents two awards. These awards go to students who have gone the extra mile for their art achieving amazing success. This year the Junior Helen Foundation award went to Nathanial Manley and the Helen Foundation Award was presented to the incredibly talented Dan Aston.
The beautifully sunny, music filled afternoon was brought to a close by the JJ’s Arts Academy Rockband students. Kicked off with an impressive rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. You can see the Rockband students perform for yourself at Glas – Denbury Music Festival on July 10th. If you'd like an opportunity to join JJ's Arts Academy, contact us on 01626 332286 for a free taster lesson in Keyboard, Drums, Guitar and Vocals.