Written by: Gina Caurso
Jackie Phillips, Vice President of the Wharton Arts Board, and her husband Lionel Phillips, recently founded the Inside Edge Scholarship Fund, a generous initiative aimed at diversifying the New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS) and the New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC). Their decision to create this fund stems from the deep gratitude they feel for the transformative experience their son, Justin, had as a part of NJYS.
“We wanted to give other children the same joy our own son experienced,” Jackie reflects, as she shares the heartfelt motivation behind their scholarship.
Justin’s musical journey at Wharton Arts began in middle school when he joined NJYS as a double bassist, as well as studying saxophone under the guidance of Bryan Rudderow. Today, he holds a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in Contemporary Writing and Production from Berklee College of Music and is a multi-instrumentalist who fills the Phillips’ home with the sounds of his many instruments.
Jackie warmly recalls Justin’s first step into music when, as a kindergartner at Rutgers Prep School, he excitedly came home after attending an “Instrument Petting Zoo” event and declared his interest in learning the violin. “We thought it was a fleeting interest,” Jackie laughs. “But we thought, why not? His passion for it probably wouldn’t last long anyway, since I’m not musical—well, except in my mind,” she adds with a smile.
But to their surprise, Justin’s interest deepened. After performing a solo rendition of “Hot Cross Buns” at his first recital, she and Lionel were struck by the sheer joy and pride Justin radiated. “It was clear he felt such pride in being a soloist, and it dawned on us that maybe this wasn’t just a temporary interest,” she reflects. This realization led them to sign Justin up for violin lessons.
Justin’s musical path soon expanded. By fourth grade, he was introduced to the saxophone, and eventually found his way to the double bass, where his proficiency stood out. In fact, he was invited to perform as the only middle school student to play in the upper school orchestra at Rutgers Prep.
While shopping for saxophone reeds at Sam Ash in Edison, NJ, a chance conversation with a salesperson led them to discover NJYS. “Justin had outgrown his bass teacher, and when we mentioned we were looking for someone new, the salesperson connected us with a teacher at NJYS,” Jackie recalls. From then on, NJYS became a pivotal part of Justin’s life. He moved through the various ensembles, from Philharmonia to Symphony, with his parents proudly celebrating every achievement, including his performance with the Symphony at Carnegie Hall.
“When he was growing up, we never had to remind him to practice. Music brought him so much joy and a sense of accomplishment,” Jackie says.
One of the most significant moments came during Justin’s junior year of high school. After years of excelling in both science and math, he approached his parents with a life-changing decision. “He came to us and said, ‘I know I’m good at science and math, but the thing that really makes me feel good about myself is music. Would it be okay if I pursued music as a career?’” Jackie and Lionel were fully supportive.
This experience inspired them to give back. “Wouldn’t it be amazing to offer other children, especially those who might not have the same financial resources, the opportunity to experience this same joy, passion, and sense of self-worth?” This realization led to the creation of the Inside Edge Scholarship Fund.
“As a pediatrician (Jackie is currently Vice President of Pediatric Drug Development Strategy as part of the Child Health Innovation Leadership Department at Johnson & Johnson), I’ve seen firsthand the psychosocial benefits of allowing children to pursue their passions, whether it’s sports, music, dance, or other forms of art. These activities help build discipline, confidence, and self-worth,” Jackie explains. She also reflects on the calming power of music, noting how her son’s album, Coffee Shop, in the lo-fi genre helped his classmates manage stress during their studies and exams.
Today, Jackie takes immense pride in her role on the Wharton Arts Board. She has watched the organization grow and thrive, providing access to students from all backgrounds. “Seeing these young musicians perform with such passion reminds me of my son’s journey,” she says. “It’s incredibly rewarding, and we’re committed to supporting Wharton Arts for many years to come.”
Jackie herself has a deep-rooted connection to music, growing up in a family that celebrated it. “We always had music in the house. My mom would buy three records every payday, and we’d have dance parties until we were exhausted,” she recalls fondly. Her family includes concert pianists, other instrumentalists and gospel recording artists in Jamaica, England, and the U.S. Music has always been a part of her life, even if not professionally.
Looking back on her son’s journey from his first violin recital to performing at Carnegie Hall to graduating from Berklee College of Music, Jackie and Lionel couldn’t be prouder. “Watching that joy and gleam in him as he discovered that thing that he’s really good at, my husband and I enjoy providing this scholarship, and we want to continue to do this, because it was so meaningful for Justin in his everyday life.” And through their generous scholarship, they hope to give other children the same opportunities to find joy, pride, and fulfillment through music.