2020 Spring Newsletter

¡EN ACCIÓN! – 2020 spring newsletter

What’s happening with Yakima Music en Acción

celebrating our seniors

A.S. Pualani and Stephanie Hsu sat down with YAMA’s first graduating seniors — who have been with us since the start — to hear their reflections about their time with YAMA.

Enerida Mendoza

Length of time with YAMA: 7 years
Instruments played: violin, viola, bass, ‘cello
Favorite YAMA leadership positions: Assistant Teacher and Section Leader Plans for next year: Studying Music at Central Washington University (CWU)

Itzel Pérez

Length of time with YAMA: 8 years
Instrument played: viola
Favorite YAMA leadership positions: Assistant Teacher and Concert Planning
Plans for next year: Studying Business and Music at CWU or the University of Washington

YAMA AT SPHINX CONFERENCE

Five students and seven staff flew to Detroit for a convention hosted by Sphinx, a national organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. We participated in sessions on navigating the classical music world as musicians of color and educators in a field lacking diversity, and we witnessed an internationally-acclaimed competition for young Black and Latinx musicians. Some take-aways:

“I’d never traveled out of the state without my family. When you go to the symphony orchestra it’s majority White and it was really cool getting to experience seeing people of color being in an orchestra. It was powerful.” —Liset, 16 years old, violin

“When I saw the Sphinx orchestra, I could see myself more in that orchestra because there’s people like me. It made me believe in myself - I can be like that and make a difference and not be just for diversity, but be there because I’m talented.” —Enerida, 18 years old, violin

“Before going to Sphinx I knew I was a minority and how little people of color are in certain things. But it reminded me that I am that percentage of people who aren’t only going into music but going into college and doing something better for themselves.” —Itzel, 17 years old, viola

“It inspired me to keep playing music. I want to inspire those small ones who think that classical music may just be for White people but for them to see that there’s other people and make them have those thoughts that it’s also for them.” —Nataly, 16 years old, ‘cello

POSSIBILITIES EN ACCIÓN

Our students are at the center of every decision we make. This clarity of focus is a beacon of light in times like this, amidst a pandemic that has caught the primary attention of most humans on earth. At YAMA, we are actively generating possibilities to address the immediate needs of our students and community in this time. Our creative wheels are in motion, and our experimenter minds and hands are active in play. This is the energy that drives the YAMA family: a group concerned about safety and well-being, and at-the-ready with ways to creatively support the growth of our students.

As a member of the YAMA community, we wanted to send you love and a reminder that we are in this together. As a community, we share this vision of music as a connecting social force that builds community. We have made the difficult decision to cancel the rest of our live, public events in April and May, but stay tuned! We’ll share how you can virtually participate in our spring musical offerings:

Facebook: facebook.com/yama.program
YouTube: youtube.com/yamaorchestra
E-mail: hello@yamamusic.org
Instagram: @yamaprogram

Follow or reach out to us to experience how our students and team are still putting possibilities into action.

Students and families with access to the fewest resources are hardest hit at this time, and your gift will support our team as we rally in solidarity with our students. You can make a tax-deductible contribution online at yamamusic.org/donate or by sending a check to P.O. Box 317, Yakima, WA 98907. Your generosity makes it possible for our youth to grow as leaders through music.