Marion County High School student accepted into Juilliard’s Summer Program

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Sir Charles Cash Jones, the up-and-coming acting and musical prodigy from Marion County, will be spending two weeks this summer Orlando, Florida; not for a summer vacation, but to chase his dreams after being accepted into Juilliard’s Summer Program.

“When I got accepted I was like ‘that’s really cool’ - I didn’t know what to say,” said the senior from Marion County High School. “I’ve heard Juilliard’s the best acting school and singing school, so I’m hoping to learn a lot more techniques, how to take care of my voice and how to use it better.”

Jones is just one of 42 students accepted worldwide into the program, after submitting audition videos back in March. Since 5th grade, the 16-year-old has been coming to Columbus to sing for the Springer Theatre Academy and Voices of the Valley choir. He was named the 2024 Georgia High School Association Literary State Champion in Boys Solo, and has even performed at the Vatican. Attending Juilliard’s Summer Program is another accolade to add to the list, as Jones is now one step closer to pursuing his dreams in an acting career.

“How to warm up and how to take care of my voice I learned at Springer and Voices of the Valley,” said Jones. “It kinda like, fueled the fire to make me wanna go further.”

“I’ve known Cash for about 5 years as a student, and it’s been a joy watching him grow up,” said DB Woolbright, Director of Education at Springer Opera House. “I’m proud of the accomplishments that he is seeing with this Juilliard program.”

The Juillard School is in New York, but they conduct summer programs in both New York and in Florida. The Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard accepts students ages 12 to 18 for dance, drama, musical theater, piano, and singing.

Jones is set to travel to Orlando for the program in July and will begin his senior year of high school in the weeks following.