AUSTIN — Some students in Austin spent the Presidents' Day holiday off from school honing their artistic abilities.
The Women in Jazz Association hosted the annual ATX Youth Summit at the Carver Museum.
Students learned from the pros in areas like film, dance, and music. The kids even got some backup from a musician who once played in Ray Charles' orchestra. Pianist James Polk tickled the ivories for students learning jazz. The event's host says the experience helps teens to build confidence.
"It keeps their minds [in a] 'Well I can do this. I can do this, I want to do this.’ In other words I can sing better, or I can take better pictures,” said Kevin Hart, with the Women in Jazz Association.
The City of Austin's cultural arts division helps put on the Youth Summit each year. The event is free to the public.