Alums in the Arts Celebrated at Reception

Two University City alums and professionals in the arts have returned to their stomping grounds this week.

graduates (Class of 1987) and James Smith (Class of 1992) have been leading enrichment programs this week as part of the eighteenth annual Returning Artists Program.

Martin, a renowned jazz pianist, and Smith, a professional dancer who has performed on Broadway and in Disney World, have visited dance, music, journalism and even preschool classes at schools throughout the district. The duo taught the value in improvisation and collaboration, the key themes of this year's Returning Artists Week.

The program coordinators from the University City Commission on Arts and Letters held a to celebrate the alums' efforts Wednesday night. The event, held in the high school library, began at 7pm and was attended by teachers, students, parents, community members and city officials, including Mayor Shelley Welsch, who honored Smith and Martin with an official proclamation.

Smith and Martin were pleased to be back.

"It's been great because it's been a collaborative effort," Martin said. "Being on the stage here (at University City High School) reminded me what a great experience it was."

Martin recalls being in the cast The Wiz in 1985. Despite dealing with a bunch of young "punks," the musical director had high expectations for the students, which led them to put on an impressive show.

"It was a very high-level production," Martin said. "It was very serious."

After graduating, he attended the Juilliard School of Music and joined the late legendary jazz vocalist Betty Carter's three-piece accompaniment. His career as a professional pianist brought him to New York City and New Orleans. More recently, he moved back to University City.

"It's been great to reconnect and give back to the school system that gave me my start in the arts," Martin said.

James Smith was driven to the arts by unfortunate circumstances.

"I used to get bullied a lot," Smith said. "By the time I got to high school, I couldn't deal with it anymore."

As a sophomore, Smith met with a high school counselor who suggested he take dance class to get out of taking gym class, where he experienced the harshest bullying. As it turned out, dance class would not replace gym for physical education credit, yet Smith had stumbled across a new passion. 

"Once I discovered (dance), it was like a rocket taking off," Smith said. "I was pretty shy and had low self-esteem. Dance gave me a voice. I really didn't think I was going to be anything."

Thanks to the encouragement of his University City High School dance teacher, Smith finally had inspiration. That's why returning to the school has been such a meaningful experience.

"My goal is to inspire as many kids to be what they want to be," Smith said.

Smith quoted his former boss from the set of The Color Purple.

"As Oprah Winfrey said, 'There's no such thing as luck.'"

Being prepared when opportunities arise allows young people to attain success, he said.

Toward the end of the reception, Smith worked with a group of high school dance students to come up with a dance routine on the spot, wowing the audience. Martin played along, improvising a soulful piano tune to accompany their routine.

School Board Vice President Stacy Clay hoped Returning Artists Week would stand as a symbol for the district's dedication to teaching children about the arts.

"The arts often serve as the conscience and soul of the people," Clay said. "We're working to strengthen arts programming."