A pair of our students got to perform at the area’s biggest indoor venue in June: The University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena. The students were Jacob and Autumn and the occasion was The Miss Tennessee ScholarshipCompetition on June 25. The main event that evening was a performance by the current Miss America, Nia Franklin of NorthCarolina, an opera singer. Jacob and Autumn were part of the opening festivities. The Joy of Music School Executive Director Frank Graffeo was there to introduce them and also to show a promotional video about the Joy of Music School on the arena’s giant screens. Jacob played “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd on guitar and Autumn performed “Gavotte No. 2” by David Popper on the cello, accompanied by her sister Kristin (a JoMS alumna) on the piano.“They did so well,” says Colene Trent, the Miss Tennessee board member who organized the event.“The kids were great, and their families who came with them were so kind. It was wonderful.”The feeling is mutual. We were very glad to get our message—and our students—in front of such an appreciative audience. Thanks to Colene and the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Competition for making it happen.