Student scholarship and award applications now available!

Posted on by

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 Episode 12 with Tom Atkins and Mark Deklin on acting

Posted on by

TJ ARTScast Season 1: Episode 12: Acting in Film, Theatre & TV

Interview with Tom Atkins, acclaimed Pittsburgh actor, by Jay Suszynski and Dawn Walters

The Big Picture – an interview with Mark Deklin, a 1986 TJHS alumnus and actor currently living in Los Angeles, by Julia Malecki

Additional Music – “Love, Love, Love” by Steel Blossoms, a new country music duo featuring TJHS alumna Hayley Prosser and Pittsburgher Sara Zebley, who will perform at TJ Arts’ fundraiser event August 7, 2016!

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

TJ ARTScast Episode 11: Best moments from 2015

Posted on by

TJ ARTScast Season 1: Episode 11: Best Moments from 2015

Karen’s Pick – Chris Rawson
Julia’s Pick – Natasha Snitkovsky
Dawn’s Pick – Dan Foytik
Jay’s Pick – Sam Hazo
Mark’s Pick – Mary Culbertson Stark
Jay’s Pick – Barron Batch
Dawn’s Pick – Ray DeFade
Karen’s Pick – Mark Fallone
Mark’s Pick – Greg Rempel & Len Caric

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

TJ ARTScast Episode 10 with film gurus Len Caric & Greg Rempel

Posted on by

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.

In this giving season, give to TJ Arts!

Posted on by

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!

TJ ARTScast Episode 9 with cinematographer Mark Fallone

Posted on by

TJ ARTScast Season 1: Episode 9: Television & Film Arts, Part 1

Interview with Mark Fallone, Cinematographer and Video Producer for Phenomenon Post – producer, director and photographer (www.markfallone.com and www.phenomenonpost.com), by Dawn Walters

Additional Music – “Lullaby of Birdland” by George Shearing performed by Ray DeFade, Eric DeFade, Ray DeFade, Jr., Anton DeFade, and Kelley Krepin DeFade from the Sweet Sweet Jazz Concert 2015

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

TJ ARTScast Episode 8 with band leader Ray DeFade

Posted on by

TJ ARTScast Season 1: Episode 8: Jazz Music

Interview with Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Famer Ray DeFade, by Dawn Walters and Jay Suszynski

City Snapshot – Interview with Max Leake about the jazz scene in Pittsburgh, by Jessica Cook

Additional Music – Max Leake “Both Sides Now” from Trios album (www.maxleakemusic.com)

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

TJ Arts Presents Sixth Annual Sweet Sweet Jazz

Posted on by

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.

TJ ARTScast Episode 7 with artist Baron Batch

Posted on by

TJ ARTScast Season 1: Episode 7: Visual Artists Part 2

Interview with Pittsburgh artist Baron Batch (www.studio-am.com)

Big Picture – Julia Malecki talks with two graphic designers from Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

Additional Music – Ray DeFade (“Big Band Classics” from Sweet Sweet Jazz 2011 concert album)

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

TJ ARTScast Episode 6 with artist Mary Culbertson-Stark

Posted on by

TJ ARTScast Season 1: Episode 6: Visual Artists Part 1
Interview with Local Artist Mary Culbertson Stark  (www.mculbertson-stark.com)
City Snapshot – Jessica Cook talks about Society of Contemporary Crafts
Additional Music – Kevin Kindlin (“Here’s to Life” from Sweet Sweet Jazz 2011 concert album)

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