August 2, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

John Adams Middle School Student Selected to Perform at Carnegie Hall

JAMS Student Grayson Fitzgerald named junior finalist for the 2022 middle school honors performance series at Carnegie Hall

By Staff Writer

Grayson Fitzgerald, an eighth grade student at John Adams Middle School (JAMS) in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), has been selected as a junior finalist for the 2022 middle school honors performance series at Carnegie Hall. Grayson will perform as a string bassist in June with the middle school honors orchestra, which will be conducted by Ms. Angela Woo, JAMS director of instrumental music. Participation in one of the three honors junior ensembles is limited to the highest-rated middle school performers from around the world.

Grayson was nominated for the honors performance series earlier this year and was recently accepted by the honors selection board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of his talent, dedication, and achievements.

Grayson has studied music for five years and is a member of his school’s highest instrumental music groups: chamber orchestra and wind ensemble, (where he plays the string bass, as well as the Jazz Band (where he plays guitar). In 2022 he was also selected to participate in the California All State and All Southern Honors Orchestras. In response to his selection as a junior finalist with the honors performance series, Grayson said, “The invitation to perform with other student musicians from around the world at Carnegie Hall is an amazing way to end this school year, my time in middle school, and to celebrate the return to performing music in person. I feel incredibly honored and excited to participate, and I can’t wait to experience Carnegie Hall, spend time in New York City, and for all the opportunities to come that playing music will provide throughout my life.”

“I could not be prouder of Grayson and his acceptance to the 2022 Honors Performance Middle School Orchestra,” said JAMS Director Woo. “To perform in Carnegie Hall is a transformative experience for any musician, and I’m thrilled for Grayson to have the opportunity to stand on the same stage as many of the “giants” of the music world such as Peter Tchaikovsky, George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein. Having been invited to conduct with the Honors Performance Series in 2019 and 2020, I can say that it is a special privilege to share in Grayson’s musical journey, starting with his arrival to SMMUSD as a 6th grader where he first learned to play the string bass at JAMS, to his culminating performance as a middle school musician in Carnegie Hall.”

Grayson will join student performers from 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada for a special performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement. He is raising funds to pay for this music adventure through GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/78389d46.

The junior finalists will come together in New York City for five days in June. They will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other junior finalists, and get a taste of New York City. The three-day program will culminate in a middle school honors group performance on Saturday, June 18, 2022, and is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased through the Carnegie Hall box office.

“After having performances worldwide impacted for over a year, we are excited to be returning to the stage at Carnegie Hall. Being selected to the honors performance series is something each junior finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing,” said Marion Gomez, program director for the honors performance series. “We process thousands of nominations annually, selecting only the most talented performers. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians will never forget.”

The honors performance series was created to showcase accomplished individual middle school performers on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in the celebrated venue, Carnegie Hall. Learn more by visiting www.honorsperformance.org.

<>Related Posts

Heidi Klum’s Tropical Erewhon Smoothie Drops Just in Time for Summer

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

Supermodel’s Limited-Edition Drink Blends Kiwi, Coconut, and Matcha Erewhon has debuted its newest celebrity smoothie collaboration, this time with supermodel...

California Bolsters Firefighting Fleet Amid Federal Cuts

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

The transition, which began in 2020, equips the fleet with advanced technology, including a 1,000-gallon water capacity—nearly triple that of...

Big Blue Bus to Restore Service on Route to Palisades

August 2, 2025

August 2, 2025

The restoration is part of a broader summer service overhaul aimed at improving coverage across the Westside The Big Blue...

Fatal Crash Claims 9-Year-Old’s Life in Los Angeles

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and was arrested for driving under the influence A tragic traffic...

Malibu Hires New City Manager: Ronda Perez to Lead as City Eyes Recovery and Rebuilding

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

Veteran Public Administrator Ronda Perez Brings Nearly 20 Years of Experience to Malibu The Malibu City Council has voted unanimously...

Santa Monica Creates Film Office to Streamline Permitting and Production Services

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

New Agency Will Take Over From FilmLA After More Than a Decade Beginning September 1, 2025, film permit coordination in...

Santa Monica Pier Launches “PIERfect Benefit” Fundraiser Amid Recovery Efforts

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The gathering will feature food, signature cocktails, live entertainment, and a program reflecting the Pier’s history and future. Proceeds will...

THIS WEEKEND: 49th Annual Festival of the Chariots to Roll Through Santa Monica and Venice

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

The festival site at Ocean Front Walk Plaza will transform into a lively showcase of Indian culture, expecting around 50,000...

Film Review: The Fantastic Four: First Steps

August 1, 2025

August 1, 2025

FILM REVIEWTHE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPSRated PG-13115 MinutesReleased July 25th  The Fantastic Four: First Steps has a different aura from...

Aging Mindfully: Zen-Inspired Senior Living Takes Shape in Simi Valley

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

Two Zen-inspired senior living communities are embracing the reality of aging — consciously. Ensō Village, open since 2023 in Sonoma County,...

Palisades, Malibu Among Areas Exempt from SB 9 Under Newsom’s Wildfire Safety Order

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

Newsom Sides with LA Leaders on SB 9 Freeze, Mayor Bass Issues Executive Order Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed...

‘All Stars’ National Night Out Coming to Santa Monica on Tuesday

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

The event, themed “Santa Monica All Stars,” aims to foster police-community partnerships through a sports-inspired evening The Santa Monica Police...

City of Santa Monica Issues Statement on Surprise DTSM Board Member Replacement

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

Santa Monica City Government Defends Emergency Action and Process After the surprising move from the City Council, six members of...

Texas Kitchen Chain to Open Santa Monica Location at Former Fresh Corn Grill Site

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

The Santa Monica outpost will occupy a 3,050-square-foot space featuring a newly built kitchen and a large outdoor patio HomeState,...

Film Review: Together

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Dave Franco and Alison Brie, a married couple in real life, star in Michael Shanks’ gruesomely passionate...