Join us for TJ Arts’ 8th annual Sweet Sweet Jazz as we celebrate “One Last Time” performing in the current Thomas Jefferson High School before the new school opens next year. Held Sunday, October 15, doors open at 5:30pm with desserts, and the music will begin at 6:30pm. This year’s concert will be an unforgettable evening, dedicated to the late trombonist, Bill Balas.

Order your tickets online today – now easier than ever, through Eventbrite!

Featuring performances by:
TJ Alumni Big Band, directed by Ray DeFade
Benny Benack Band, directed by Benny Benack II
TJHS Jazz Bands, directed by Jim Mirablla

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for all students. All proceeds benefit arts enrichment programs in West Jefferson Hills.

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Doors open at 5pm, music starts at 6:30pm
$20 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under

After a successful Rock the Arts in 2016, we’re bringing back this popular summer concert – along with the Steel Blossoms and Taylor Made, too! This year we’ll be at the Crafthouse Stage & Grill.

All year, TJ Arts has provided meaningful artistic opportunities for students and residents of West Jefferson Hills. We couldn’t do this without YOU and hope that you will continue your support with a tax-deductible donation to TJ Arts by December 31.

As TJHS English/Drama teacher Sandy Barker says, “I think we forget that there are still so many students in our school district who have never been to the Cultural District or had the opportunity to see a live performance.”  With your help, TJ Arts can continue to sponsor field trips, master classes and in-school arts assemblies so that all 3,000 students in WJHSD can experience the power of the arts.

Please help us continue this meaningful work!

  • Donate online through Paypal.

  • Send a check to TJ Arts, c/o Karen Suszynski, 220 Orchard Court, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025.

  • Do your holiday shopping through AmazonSmile and select TJ Arts as your charity of choice to receive a portion of your total purchase price.

  • Give through United Way of Allegheny County with code #12887774.

Thank you!

Photo of beat-boxer Mike Why encouraging a young student at Summer Rec and Reading. Photo by Bob Marlow of Prints Charming.

Support TJ Arts to the MEX!

Join TJ Arts for food, fun and fundraising at Mad Mex in Shadyside!

Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 7:00 pm

Tickets $40 (including gratuity)
Includes full Mexican Fajita Buffet Dinner, unlimited chips, salsa and guacamole, wings, soft drinks, dessert and one Dos Equis draft beer or house margarita.

To reserve tickets, call 412-655-0747 by October 28.

All proceeds benefit WJHSD arts enrichment programs.

TJ Arts’ 7th Annual Sweet Sweet Jazz on Sunday, October 9 will delight jazz aficionados and musical theatre-lovers alike! Join us for a Broadway-inspired evening including sweet desserts, alumni, Hall of Famers, local students, and the snazziest, jazziest tunes!

Mike Tomaro (Director of Jazz Studies at Duquesne University) will lead us through the evening as our emcee, with Ray DeFade, Sr. directing the TJ Alumni Big Band, Benny Benack, Jr. with the Benny Benack Band, the TJHS Jazz Bands led by Jim Mirabella, and the A Cappella JagChoir led by Julie Lucci. The vocals of Kevin Kindlin and Dorette DeFade will sweeten the night. Attendees can look forward to renditions from their favorite musicals such as The Phantom of the OperaEvita42nd Street and even the Tony Award-winning phenomenon Hamilton – just to name a few!

Hosted at Thomas Jefferson High School, doors open at 5:30pm to delightful desserts catered by local businesses, followed by music at 6:30pm. Tickets are just $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under and are available at the door.

Proceeds from Sweet Sweet Jazz support TJ Arts’ work in the WJHSD community. Can’t attend but want to support? Sponsorship opportunities are available; contact Karen Suszynski at 412-655-0747 or [email protected].

Rock the Arts logoA Benefit Concert
Featuring The Steel Blossoms
Sunday, August 7, 2016

IS SOLD OUT!

Cancellations may occur and additional tickets may become available.

To be put on the waiting list, please send your name, phone number,
and the number of tickets you are interested in to [email protected].
Please direct all questions to the same email address.

Spoonwood Brewing Co.
5981 Baptist Road, Bethel Park, PA

Emceed by 2006 TJHS alumna Kelly Langenohl of 100.7 STAR
Doors open at 5:30pm; Music begins at 6:30pm

Adults $30 in advance; Children $15 (12 and under) in advance
Ticket includes entertainment, 1 drink & light appetizers

SteelBlossoms2Rock the Arts: Live at Spoonwood, TJ Arts’ first-ever benefit rock concert, will take place on Sunday, August 7 at Spoonwood Brewing Co. and will feature hometown country duo the Steel Blossoms! The Steel Blossoms, now based in Nashville, hail from Pittsburgh and include Sara Zebley and 2010 TJHS alumna Hayley Prosser, who love telling stories through their lyrics and featured harmonies. Last October they released their debut album, “Year Number One,” and we can’t wait to give those who attend Rock the Arts this exclusive opportunity to enjoy the Steel Blossoms at our intimate concert.

All proceeds benefit arts enrichment programs in West Jefferson Hills. All sales final; no refunds except in case of cancellation.

Applications are now available online for West Jefferson Hills students to apply for scholarships and awards through TJ Arts!

We are now offering $3,000 in scholarship, $500 in an award and $8,000 in STArts Program grants each year – a total of $11,500 to WJH students!

All applications for scholarships and the Founders’ Award must be submitted online through the following links by April 22, 2016.

Founders’ Award – $500 to a graduating ITS theater senior
Kathy Cecotti Memorial Scholarship – $1,000 to a graduating theater senior who emulates the qualities that Kathy Cecotti fostered in her students
TJ Arts Scholarship – $1,000 to a graduating senior intending to study the creative or performing arts in college
Matteo Music Scholarship – $1,000 to a graduating senior intending to study music in college

Applications for the STArts Program training for Fall 2016 are available online through May 20, 2016.

TJ ARTScast Season 1: Episode 10: Television & Film Arts, Part 2

Interview with Len Caric – founding partner of AmericanArk Films – and Greg Rempel – a writer/director/producer of several award-winning films, by Jay Suszynski

City Snapshot – Interview with Patrick Jordan, Pittsburgh Actor and founder/director of Barebones Productions, by Jessica Cook

The Big Picture – A look at The Hollywood Reporter‘s list of the “Top 25 Film Schools in the United States 2015,” by Julia Malecki

Additional Music – Stanley Turrentine’s “Sugar” featuring Mike Tomaro on saxophone and the TJ Alumni Big Band, led by Ray DeFade Sr. at the 2015 Sweet Sweet Jazz concert

Tune in today to hear what it’s all about! Or check it out on iTunes or Stitcher.

Help us keep the music alive – make a tax-deductible donation to TJ Arts by December 31 so we can continue providing arts opportunities for students and residents in WJHSD.

Here’s how:
  1. Donate through Paypal.
  2. Donate through our new Generosity.com page.
  3. Do your holiday shopping on Amazon through Amazon Smile and select “TJ Arts,” and Amazon will make a donation based on your total purchase price.
  4. Send a check to TJ Arts, c/o Karen Suszynski, 220 Orchard Court, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025.

Thank you for supporting the arts in West Jefferson Hills!

Featuring SIX Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame musicians
on ONE stage!

  • Sunday, October 11, 2015
  • TJ Auditorium
  • Tickets: $20
  • Desserts served at 5:30pm
  • Music begins at 6:30pm

Special Guest Roger Humphries

roger-humphries
Roger Humphries

Hosted by Mike Tomaro
Featured Director Ray DeFade
Featured Performers Max Leake & Eric DeFade
Including current TJHS Student Jazz Band directed by Jim Mirabella, and more than 25 TJHS alumni musicians!

Tickets available at the door.