A Letter From Itzel

Itzel as conductor

Dear Friends,

I went from being a shy, isolated kid who did not talk much to finding my voice and passion through Yakima Music en Acción (YAMA). What started as a safe space to connect with others became the foundation for my love of business and behind-the-scenes work. I’m now eager to bring that passion back to YAMA to help it grow and impact even more lives. It all began in 5th grade when YAMA started at my school. From the moment I visited, I felt welcomed and knew it was something special. Joining YAMA changed my life—I made lasting friendships and felt a strong sense of enthusiasm, largely due to the passion of the teachers who created a nurturing musical environment.

Through YAMA, I not only improved my viola skills but also developed leadership abilities such as time management and section leadership. The program supported me in making mistakes and growing, both musically and personally. YAMA also showed me that my voice mattered by involving us in staff reviews and hiring processes. These experiences, along with roles like section leader and assistant teacher, shaped who I am today: a confident, open-minded individual.

YAMA has always been more than just an orchestra; it’s a family that supported me through significant moments of self-discovery. Though I wasn’t the strongest musically, I discovered a talent for managing and leading. Inspired by these experiences, I pursued a business degree at the University of Washington to help YAMA expand its reach and impact more young people. 

Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of managing our Assistant Teachers, older students who are hired and paid to work with our younger students. I have also been a part of the Beyond YAMA Initiative, a project where we help connect our students to resources and opportunities for life after high school, helping lead our Scholarship process. Being able to give back to the program that shaped me has been incredibly meaningful. 

The continued success and expansion of YAMA relies on the generous support of you who believe in its mission. Whether by volunteering, donating, or spreading the word, every bit of support ensures that more children benefit from YAMA’s life-changing experiences. I hope you will join me in continuing this Journey. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of our youth and our community.

With gratitude,
Itzel Perez Ramirez

The 2025-26 Assistant Teacher cohort, managed by Ms. Ramirez