The fall fundraiser Sunday for the Jessye Norman School of the Arts features young opera performers including one with local ties.
Isabella Chaney, a Greenbrier High School alumna and recent Georgia State University graduate will be one of the singers at this year’s event scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre.
While at Greenbrier, Chaney won top honors in the Shuler musical competition, receiving the title of Best Actress in a musical for the state of Georgia for her role of Nettie Fowler in “Carousel.” At Georgia State, she performed the title role in “Carmen.” She also sang as Tisbe in “La Cenerentola” with FIO Italia in Urbania, Italy, and Nancy in Albert Herring at the Harrower Summer Opera.
Chaney sings with the Atlanta Opera as do the other featured performers.
“The ‘Rising Stars’ concert is a beautiful synergy of our mission and the legacy of our namesake, Jessye Norman,” said Gary Dennis, Executive Director of the Jessye Norman School of The Arts, in a news release. “Like Ms. Norman, these young artists have dedicated their lives to their craft. By bringing them to Augusta, we not only offer an exceptional cultural experience but also provide a tangible example for our students of what passion and hard work can achieve. The funds raised will directly impact the lives of our students by providing the resources they need to discover their own unique voices and unlock their full potential.”
The Rising Stars concert is a celebration of emerging vocal talent and a vital fundraiser to support JNSA’s mission of providing free, high-quality arts and educational programming to students in the Augusta community, the news release continued.
The concert is especially important this year. Last year’s gala concert was cancelled due to Hurricane Helene. On Thursday morning, the staff went to work to find the front window shattered with a brick thrown through it. The cost to replace the window is $2,000, according to a Facebook post.
Following the concert, a VIP After Party will be held at the Jessye Norman School of The Arts, 739 Greene St. This event allows a chance to meet and mingle with the featured performers, JNSA faculty, and other dedicated supporters of the arts. It also provides the last look of the Hurricane Helene photo exhibition.
Buy tickets for the “Rising Stars” Annual Benefit Concert and the VIP After Party at thejnsa.org or by calling (706) 877-0411.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
