The Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center in Downtown Jamestown is looking for motivated teenagers in Chautauqua County who would like to join a performance group. Whether you’ve always wanted to front a band as a lead singer, rock out on a drum-kit, hold down the groove as a bass player, or riff out on a guitar, Infinity offers all that you need to make those dreams a reality.
Infinity began in 1998 as an opportunity for young musicians to hone their skills and share their talents through performance, under the direction of local mentors and arts educators. Today, the Infinity Center offers something for students of all ages in music, visual arts, dance, theater, and performance.
Infinity’s Executive Director, Shane Hawkins, expressed her excitement about Infinity’s new program year, “The past few years have been challenging for so many in so many ways. We are so excited to kickstart our new year with these auditions and sign ups.
Music and the arts are restorative, and powerful. We have students arrive here at Infinity from more than 30 area schools, students meet peers they may not have met otherwise, and new friendships are formed over common interests. Our mentor instructors are simply stellar humans, and so talented, and ready to share that to support the next generation of creatives.”
In 2021, JamieLee Bonfiglio Davis began work as Infinity’s new Artistic Director, bringing a new set of performance training classes onto the Infinity roster, and working to help students develop their stage and performance skills.
Hawkins added, “JamieLee’s position as Artistic Director brings something special, and exciting to our progress, and our ability to provide students with more opportunities to showcase their hard work and talents. Stay tuned to see more from the amazing young people we are so fortunate to work with.”
Infinity’s new ensembles will begin rehearsal in the upcoming program year, which begins the week of September 19, 2022. Auditions for Infinity ensembles are open to current Infinity students, as well as any student in the area who is performance ready and wants to be involved in this type of opportunity.
Existing Infinity Ensembles, JJ&B (Jamestown Jazz & Blues) and Infinity’s newest Motown -Style Group (think The Supremes or The Temptations) are both seeking new members, and students are encouraged to bring their own ideas for new groups as well.
From JJ&B’s Director, Dana Nordlund, “When I was a kid playing everything with everybody, I always wanted a jazz band like this. Sometimes I forget that they are in high school (except for Ethan, who just graduated in June). These guys play like seasoned studio cats.” JJ&B was inspired by the idea of long-time Infinity student, Johnnie Siggins. Johnnie told us, “I have been in the works of making this dream (jazz band) for over a year now. I started this journey to revive a dying era of music. I’m looking to expand with sax, trombone, trumpet and piano players.”
Infinity Student Dominyck Brown was the inspiration behind Infinity’s new Motown-Style Group. Dominyck shared his love for the Motown style by saying, “My first love for 60s music was The Supremes. They were these gorgeous and glamorous black women who came from the Brewster Projects in Detroit. I just fell in love with all the girl groups from the 60s after that. I loved the sweet love songs and the teenage heartbreak songs. They were always so sweet and innocent but also sassy but classy. They had a significant style that hasn’t been done very much since and if so; not giving them any justice. I want to have a chance to execute and replicate this sound and look, but in our own way.”
Infinity Artistic Director, JamieLee Bonfiglio Davis has worked with Dominyck over the years and told us, “I grew up with the sounds of Motown. My parents loved it, but it’s rare to find a teen who has the love for Motown that Dominyck Brown has. I met Dominyck about 6 years ago and got to know him when we both were casted in the show Hairspray at JCC. He expressed to me his love of the female groups of Motown then. I remember his father and grandparents nurtured his passion. They bought him albums and tickets to a Motown show for his birthday and Dominyck was elated, so, when he became my voice student I wasn’t surprised the songs he was interested in performing were from that era. Our conversations are fascinating because Dominyck’s passion goes beyond just enjoying music; His enthusiasm dives into the history of the groups, individual singers and Motown itself”
Ensemble Audition dates are currently set to take place at the Infinity Center at 301 East 2nd St in Downtown Jamestown on the following dates:
- Monday, September 12 3:30pm-5:30pm
- Tuesday, September 13 3:30pm-5:30pm
Students should come prepared with one to two songs in the genre/style of the group they’d like to audition for. Please contact the Infinity Center at 716-664-0991 or info@infinityperformingarts.org to let them know if you’ll be attending auditions.
In addition to these ensembles, the Infinity Center will also have the following group classes starting in its new program year which starts September 19, 2022:
Advanced Art, Available Light Photography, Best Part of Me Photography Series, Contemporary Dance, Creative Dance, Duo’s and Trios Vocal Ensemble, Focused and Fun Teen Leadership Class, General Art, Infinity Folk Ensemble, Jam Session, Landscape Painting, Musical Theater Dance, Musical Theater Project, Rising Stars Performance Prep Group, Sculpting, Songwriting Lab, Theater Class.
The Infinity Center is a 14,000 square foot learning space, fully stocked with instruments, learning materials, and advanced equipment for our students. More than 30 professional musicians, artists, actors, and dancers serve as instructor mentors for our students.
A monthly membership fee covers
- One 30-minute, weekly, private lesson in the field of study of the student’s choice.
- A variety of weekly group class options (music, art, dance, theater, and more).
- Abundant performance and talent-showcasing opportunities.
- Unique mentoring options including audition prep, portfolio creation, and college prep.
- The opportunity for performance-level students to join performing ensembles.
- Leadership classes and opportunities.
Subsidized membership rates are also available through Infinity’s Access to Arts Education scholarship fund for families with financial need.
