The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) is among two schools in the nation selected by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz to participate in a national “Peer-to-Peer Education” tour.

Six HSPVA students will be in Indianapolis May 20-24, 2013, to present jazz “informances” in public schools. Those students are:

• Jalon Archie, 18, drummer
• Adam DeWalt, 18, trumpeter
• Jeremy Dorsey, 17, guitarist
• James Francies, 17, pianist
• John Koozin, 17, bassist
• Jyron Walls, 18, saxophonist

The students will perform with jazz saxophonist and GRAMMY nominee Antonio Hart, vocalist Lisa Henry and jazz educator Dr. J.B. Dyas.

“As young people are so influenced by kids their own age, who better to expose them to this great American art form than those of their own generation?” said Thelonious Monk, Jr., chairman of the Institute’s Board of Trustees and son of legendary jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk. “And when you hear how great these young kids play, you know the future of our music is in good hands.”

The HSPVA students will also tutor students in Indianapolis by playing with them. In addition, they will talk to students about what jazz is, why it’s important to America, and the American values that jazz represents.

“The best part will be hanging out and playing jazz with kids our own age from Indianapolis,” said Francies, a member of the 2013 National GRAMMY High School Jazz Ensemble. “We know that Indianapolis, especially Indianapolis Avenue, is so important in the history of jazz.”

The students’ time in Indianapolis will end with a concert that is open to the public.