Performing Arts

The year 2020 brought many challenges and changes for students at the University of Jamestown. UJ performing arts had to find new and creative ways to practice, produce, and showcase their talents which lead to beautifully produced music and safely directed theater productions. While learning to play and practice in masks may not have been ideal, the students and directors proved their passion and excellence.

In addition to new ways to perform and play, the University also added the first ever drum-line and percussion major. The first student to enroll as a percussion major at UJ is Devon Williams. UJ’s Director of Alumni Relations, Setareh Campion, was able to sit down and chat with him. Here’s what he had to say.

Setareh: Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you chose UJ.

Devon: My name is Devon Williams. I am a first year; I major in Fine Arts music and business administration with a concentration in marketing. I am from the state of California, a city called Desert Hot Springs – it’s sort of small town, just like Jamestown. I chose UJ because it’s the place that allowed me to actually follow and pursue my career in music the way I wanted to and gave me my second chance at college.

Devon Williams ’24

S: How did you discover UJ?

D: It’s a really funny story how I discovered it. I was towards the ending of Job Corps in California and we were looking for my options afterwards—college or straight into the workforce. Well, I applied at a business college and got in, and I was trying to do the financial aid paperwork but it wasn’t going through. So, I withdrew, and the day after I withdrew from that school, I went on my social media.

All of a sudden, I kept seeing UJ ads saying “Percussionists needed!” and “Scholarships for percussionists!”. This happened for a good three to four days until I finally just gave in and was like let me look this up before I lose hair over this, because I was pulling my hair out every day thinking about why it kept popping up. I had never heard of the University of Jamestown whatsoever so I had to figure out what this all meant. I got in contact with the Fine Arts recruiter at the time, Tayler and he got me in contact with Dr. Lynch, Dr. Kihle and Dr. Walentine—they got me to come here.

S: How do you feel supported at UJ? And how has UJ become home for you?

D: I feel supported at UJ, because, here the Music professors are all very caring and they keep me on task. They give out great information, like little tidbits about studying, practicing, life, etc. and it just helps out a lot!

I’m not saying here is too far away from home, but it’s quite a distance, and there’s days that I get homesick. But those days when I do feel a little homesick…on those days I come into the music department and to Reiland, and I feel just at home.

S: What do you hope is true over your next few years here at UJ? What do you hope to accomplish while you’re here?

D: Dr. Kihle and I have been having conversations about me and my practicing and becoming a sponsored artist for some of the major percussion companies and being a young artist for them. I also want to get some of my music that I’ve written for the drum line here at UJ published to other companies.

I’m also hoping and looking forward to getting to know more about Jamestown as a whole, including the city as well as the college. I might not want to stay here after graduation during the winters, but I might come back during like fall and summer. Those are just some things to look forward to for me. However, one main thing is just seeing myself grow musically and educationally—that’s what I hope to see within the next three/ four years.