This article originally appeared in PMAC’s FY24 Annual Report, published December 2024.

PMAC was thrilled to partner with The Music Hall to take a group of PMAC students to the Emerging Artist Benefit Concert featuring Songwriters Hall of Fame nominee Jason Mraz. The students were able to meet and talk with Jason during the afternoon before enjoying dinner at Flatbread Company Portsmouth and returning to The Music Hall for the fantastic evening concert. As an added layer of excitement, one of this year’s Emerging Artist winners that opened for Jason Mraz was Sam Robbins, a PMAC alum!
In conversation with the students, Jason Mraz shared the following advice for young performers to remember when they step onstage: “The audience is here to watch you, they’re giving you their time–that’s potent, that’s really powerful stuff. Be so grateful for that. Feel like a contest winner that you’ve been given this opportunity, and then turn that moment into something purposeful. And that purpose comes from your heart.”


