A TISCH MUSICAL THEATRE STUDENT SUPPORTS THE ARTS THROUGH SONG

​Last June, when many were at home perfecting their sourdough, J.R. Heckman was putting the final touches on a concert for over 1,000 people. When the Tisch musical theatre student returned home to Cleveland, Ohio in mid-March, he watched countless venues close their doors due to COVID-19. “I began thinking about how I could make a difference during these difficult times,” he explains. In the months that followed, he planned a virtual concert, produced an original song, and raised $5,000 for the arts. “Music is transformational and inspirational. I wanted to inspire others to be the change they want to see.”