Creating Community at Wolf Trap
Spotlight on Jim and Juliet Arrighi
September 8, 2025 | Wolf Trap Volunteers
At Wolf Trap, community comes alive through the efforts of the dedicated volunteers who help make each patron experience special. Among them are Jim and Juliet Arrighi, who have brought their energy and enthusiasm as Wolf Trap volunteers since 2018.
The Arrighis live in the Quantico area and have four children. The two met when they were both active duty in the U.S. Navy. Jim is a former Air Traffic Controller for the Navy and currently works as an air traffic specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). An avid motorcyclist, he enjoys spending his free time riding his Harley-Davidson. Now retired, Juliet enjoys scrapbooking and playing Canasta.
Jim and Juliet first discovered Wolf Trap over a decade ago as audience members. But an evening at a member event sparked a deeper connection. Seated next to a longtime volunteer, Jim learned about this unique opportunity to get further involved in the Wolf Trap community. The following year he and his wife decided to take the leap—and they’ve been volunteering ever since.
Over the years, Jim and Juliet have taken on a variety of volunteer roles at Wolf Trap. Jim often works with concessions, serves as a greeter at Meadow Gate, and volunteers as a bartender at member dinners and receptions. Juliet spends most of her time at concessions, where she thrives in the upbeat environment. “It’s fun because there are so many young people,” she says. “And really, when you’re around young people, you feel younger!”
For both of them, these roles aren’t just tasks; they’re opportunities to connect with others. “One of the things I love about volunteering is interacting with other people. It’s a social environment, and you meet a lot of really neat people out there,” Jim shared. From answering questions about the park to helping folks pull up their tickets on a cell phone, Jim enjoys being a welcoming and helpful presence on the grounds.
Juliet loves the variety of people at Wolf Trap and the joyful energy that fills the venue. “When you’re at Wolf Trap, no one is there to be miserable or to contemplate their problems. They’re there to have a good time, and there’s such an aura of happiness and anticipation,” she says. “Nobody has problems at Wolf Trap. They go there to leave their problems behind.”
Both Jim and Juliet appreciate the special moments that volunteering brings. For Juliet, her favorite tradition is the Holiday Sing-A-Long, which she feels truly embodies the holiday spirit. Jim answers excitedly when asked about his favorite performances. As a jazz fan, he’s particularly drawn to artists like Diana Krall and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Jim appreciates that Wolf Trap offers “something for everyone” and believes its uniqueness lies in the blend of nature, music, and community. “I love the park,” he said. “It’s beautiful out there when the weather is great. It’s just an amazing place to be.” Juliet agrees, noting that what she enjoys most is the relaxed atmosphere and the way people come to picnic and enjoy the grounds—often just as much as the show itself. “There are no ugly places at Wolf Trap,” she says with a laugh. “It is a gorgeous place. I never have a bad time there, even when it’s raining.”
For the Arrighis, volunteering at Wolf Trap is about connection, joy, and being part of a vibrant community. Thank you, Jim and Juliet, for your enthusiasm and your commitment to making Wolf Trap a warm and welcoming place!
Read more about the volunteer program and apply to serve on wolftrap.org. If you have any questions about volunteering at Wolf Trap, please call 703.255.1927 or email volunteer@wolftrap.org.
If you’d like to usher at the Filene Center, be a nature guide, or help with patron services, the National Park Service offers a separate volunteer program.