New Jersey Congressman Herbert Conaway Jr., M.D., shows support for arts education by attending a Young Audiences performance at Mercer Elementary School

Congressman Conaway and Michele Russo, President and CEO talking with Eric Waldman from The Junk Jam Band.

On Mar 17, 2025, Congressman Herbert Conaway Jr., M.D., from District 3 showed his support for children and arts education by attending a Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) performance. Students, some performing their original songs, delighted in the culminating event with The Junk Jam Band at Mercer Elementary School in Hamilton, NJ. The school is located in District 3 and is one of the 20 schools YA serves in District 3. YA has served nearly 900 schools in New Jersey in the last five years.

As an advocate for families with young children, Congressman Conaway helps YA work toward their mission of inspiring young people and expanding their learning through the arts. He was joined by Mercer County Special Services School District Superintendent Matthew Carey, Assistant Superintendent Kristen Taylor, Principal Tammy Lascar, Supervisor Jon Korellis, and YA representatives President & CEO Michele Russo, and Barbara Panfili, YA Trustee and retired Hamilton Township Schools Principal.

The auditorium was electric with students engaging with The Junk Jam Band’s high-energy, interactive, and educational performance led by musicians Zach Green, Josh Robinson, and Eric Waldman. Using found objects and homemade instruments, they delivered messages of environmental awareness, social responsibility, and recycling. The band incorporated technology that allowed for on-the-spot recording and layering of sounds to build songs.

The event’s highlight was the students who performed songs they had written in The Junk Jam Band’s workshops held in the week before the assembly. Students experienced making music with found objects and created their found-object instruments. They composed and then performed original songs with themes about what makes them unique, and their strengths. Mercer Elementary School picked this program because of its interactive nature and the impact the performance can have on many students. YA has been working with Mercer Elementary School since 2011.

Mercer Elementary School is designed for students presenting a wide variety of learning and/or developmental needs. Emphasis is placed on the student as an individual and a member of a group. Developmental and functional approaches based on individualized educational plans (IEP) are used. Through United We Discover, YA is dedicated to increasing positive perceptions of Disabled identities and bringing equitable education experience in schools to connect communities. 

Mercer Elementary was able to partner with Junk Jam through YA’s Arts Impact Initiative, which offers programs at no charge through the generous support of corporations, foundations, local businesses, and individuals.

“We are honored to be a trusted partner of Mercer Elementary School. The creative and artistic experiences of these students is a critical piece of their education. We are grateful for the leadership of Congressman Conaway in championing arts education and shining a light on the importance of arts education, and personal expression for all students,” shared Michele Russo.

L to R: Zach Green, The Junk Jam Band, Josh Robinson, The Junk Jam Band, Matthew Carey, Mercer County Special Services School District Superintendent, Congressman Conaway, Eric Waldman, The Junk Jam Band, Michele Russo, YA President and CEO, Jon Korellis, Supervisor, Thomas Kane, Mercer Elementary Music Teacher and Tammy Lascar, Principal

Photos from the event can be viewed here: https://app.air.inc/a/bpHbpK8uJ