A Seattle-based nonprofit has awarded a $100,000 grant to Yakima Music en Acción, the after-school orchestra program that provides youths access to classical music training and leadership development.

In a reflective interview, two of YAMA’s Assistant Teachers (ATs), Rachel Mendoza and Itzel Perez, describe what it is like being an Assistant Teacher at our Garfield Elementary site.

YAMA student Rachel Mendoza composed a piece called “Mineshaft.”

YAMA student Julissa Ruby composed a piece called “Flores en Fuego.”

Ms. Hsu and Mr. Pualani, two of our founding Teaching artists, sit down with two of our founding students Enerida and Itzel to hear their reflections on their time with YAMA and what comes next.

Celebrating our seniors, YAMA @ Sphinx, and Possibilites en acción.

I’ve been thinking lately about what my responsibility is around teaching.

The day we came back from spring break, I asked the YAMA Philharmonia Orchestra students what goals they have for themselves as musicians as we finish out the year. Nearly half of them said they want to be more confident. Wow, I thought, how on earth do I support them in this goal?