Maddox Wilson, (17) plays the Guitar, Mandolin and Sings. He was born and raised in Jackson County, NC. Every Sunday, you can find him at his local church, where he plays his guitar and sings. Maddox has a love for music and enjoys playing songs from all sorts of different kinds of music. He was introduced to the world of music by his family, as many members of his family have been musicians for many years. 

He is not just any member, but an active and important part of the String Band in the local group of Junior Appalachian Musicians, also known as JAM. In this group, Maddox enjoys the chance to learn new songs and practice with other young musicians. He has said that being a musician is something he will do for his entire life. 

Rainier Finley is a gifted Musician from Western North Carolina, known for his exceptional talent on the fiddle. (He also sometimes plays the Mandolin and Bass). At just 17 years old, he has already made a significant impact in both the classical and traditional music worlds. Rainier has played with many bluegrass icons like Balsam Range, and Darren Nicholson. 

Beginning his musical journey at the age of five with classical violin training, Rainier developed a strong foundation in traditional methods. Over the years, he expanded his expertise to include Scottish fiddling, winning competitions at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games three years in a row. In 2019, he was awarded the instrumental award in the Junior Appalachian Musician Program. 

Ayden Chappell is a rising star in bluegrass music, known for his skills on the banjo. At just 15 years old, he has already performed with seasoned musicians such as Sammy Shelor, Josh Williams, Darren Nicholson, and Balsam Range while attending festivals and conventions, placing in competitions, and winning scholarships.

A native of Pickens County, South Carolina, Ayden’s love of banjo and bluegrass music began at age 9. By age 13, he earned the title of Youth Bluegrass Banjo Champion at the Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention and placed 3rd in the adult guitar category at the South Carolina Fiddlers Convention. In 2024, he and his band, Young Mountain Magic, were featured in Plateau Magazine, and he later won 2nd place in the clawhammer division at the South Carolina Fiddlers Convention.

Ayden began as a Young Appalachian Musicians student, played banjo for the Sweet Potato Pie Kids from 2020–2023, and currently serves as an instructor for the TAM YAM and Blueridge JAM summer programs. He aspires to continue studying bluegrass and music theory and become an accomplished musician.

Ethan Chappell is a 14-year-old multi-instrumentalist from Pickens SC. Raised in a musical family, Ethan was surrounded by the sounds of Appalachian folk and bluegrass from an early age. His musical journey began at the age of 9, when he first picked up a guitar.  His background also includes piano and music theory - but years later the upright bass would capture his heart and he was drawn to its rich, resonant tones.  

Over the past several years, Ethan went from being a YAM student to helping teach classes in the YAM summer program. In 2022, Ethan was awarded the Bill Wells Memorial Scholarship in the guitar category.  Just recently, he was invited to perform onstage with Darren Nicholson.  Having finally found his main instrument, Ethan is inspired by musicians which include Edgar Loudermilk, a renowned bassist in the bluegrass world, and Tim Surrett, bassist from Balsam Range.