2019 Spring Newsletter
¡EN ACCIÓN! – 2019 spring newsletter
What’s happening with Yakima Music en Acción
Self-Reflection, Growth, and the Future
How are we doing as both a music program and a social program? Developing students both musically and socially are interconnected processes that must work together. Twice a year, YAMA asks students and parents to weigh in on how things are going, how they’d like to make YAMA better, and what kind of personal growth they are observing. All of this is part of our annual program-wide processes to assess outcomes and impact and to continuously improve the efficacy of YAMA. Some highlights:
37% of students shared that music would play a role for them in the future. Of those respondents:
48% of these students plan to study or have professional careers in music.
52% of these students
YAMA students saw growth in these aspects of their lives:
34% as musicians
16% in social skills
14% in school
13% other
13% in navigating stressors
10% in self love
Why yama?
“A lot of people ask me why I go. It’s because I can express myself through music. You can express your feelings, like if you’re angry or if you’re happy. I can get out my instrument and play. I see Ms. Hsu as a role model. I remember sitting in an assembly and seeing Ms. Hsu play and I knew that I wanted to be like her when I get older. I want to perform and teach.” —Lixy Gonzalez, Chamber Orchestra Concertmaster
“ Not only do children learn to play quickly with YAMA, they feel so free and competent to explore with music that they learned in class. YAMA has opened up the world of music-making for our daughters in a way that we never could have imagined. Music fills our house and our daughters’ hearts and I love that. YAMA has been a gift for our family.” —Alfredo Merino, YAMA father
“Many of our students who have enrolled in YAMA live wherethey are exposed to a much harder lifestyle than any child should be exposed. But with the help and encouragement of our teachers at YAMA, these young people learn to focus their attention on achieving an objective, instead of getting caught up in things that can shorten life-potential such as substance abuse or violent activities... YAMA creates a momentary emotional refuge for some of our students.” —Joseph Zambrano, Program Coordinator & YAMA father
SUPPORT YAMA! Make an impact today.
Consider making a tax-deductible donation to YAMA online at www.yamamusic.org/donate or by sending a check to P.O. Box 317, Yakima, WA, 98907. Your contribution makes a difference for our students.