The Young Americans
Making Magic in Sierra Foothill’s Schools
The tour bus rolls to a stop at the school’s entrance. Forty college-age passengers pile out, grinning at the students waiting for them. It’s another day, another town, another Music Outreach Workshop for The Young Americans.
They warmly greet the townspeople, and go to work at once. They unpack a truck full of sets, lights, floor covering and sound equipment, unload and set everything up. Staging. Sound. Costumes. Programs. Laptops. T-shirts for the student performers. The first workshop session begins immediately, with a “meet The Young Americans” opening, warm-up exercises and games guaranteed to break any ice those grins haven’t already melted.
Two days and many hours of sweat, tears, teamwork and personal triumphs later, there is The Big Show. That’s where the town’s students – often 200 or more fourth to twelfth graders from area schools—knock their parents’ and teachers’ socks off. Once more, the magic of music and love brings down the house.
After the standing O’s, after the hugs, after the floor is rolled back up and the truck is re-packed, The Young Americans head off to the next town.
They know how important their work is, how unique every town is, how precious every person met along the way is. The Young Americans (“YAs”) number 200+ from nearly 40 states and seven countries. Each tour typically consists of 45 Young American teacher/performers and staff. Last year, The Young Americans staged more than 200 workshops with more than 30,000 students in 120 cities and towns across 11 countries on three continents.
This fall, The Young Americans bring the 2009 Music Outreach Workshop Tour to Tuolumne California.
On Sept. 13th through the 16th, The Young Americans will be holding a three-day workshop on Summerville High School’s campus. The workshop is open to all county students, grades four through twelve, and culminates with a spectacular evening event that showcases all of the participants.
“We expect to have students from all over the county involved in the workshop,” said Michael Gibson, Principal, Connections Academy. “The Young Americans bring energy, talent and a ton of enthusiasm to our community. Students are given the opportunity to train with some of the best and brightest talents for three memorable days that culminates with an unforgettable evening performance. The experience will last a lifetime. We are so fortunate to have them here. This is an unforgettable experience for all of the participants and well worth the investment. This is an opportunity for students to really shine, whether they are budding performers or not.”
The Young American Music Outreach Workshops are typically open to any student in grades four through twelve, whether or not the student is enrolled in the host school. No experience is needed. For two days, students learn a lot of music and dance steps. They learn how to hold a microphone and put on stage makeup. They practice, rehearse, and rehearse again. Through the process, they learn about music and dance, to connect unconditionally with one another, and they discover new abilities they never knew existed.
The cost for the three-day event is $60. Local schools wishing to participate and those willing to be host families for the performers, contact Michael Gibson @The Connections Academy (209-928-4228) or e-mail mgibson@summbears.k12.ca.us.
For more information contact The Young Americans at (951) 493-6753 or jmorse@youngamericans.org.
