Keep up with the acción!
Hear directly from our students and staff and check out what we’re up to behind-the scenes.
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Esmeralda Perez: Two-Way Street
Ms. Perez's teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that learning is a two-way street in which teachers and students learn from each other. She values adaptability and continuously evolving to meet students’ needs.
Yakima Herald-Republic Explore: YAMA’s music program builds youth skills, confidence and community
What happens when young people participate in collaborative music-making?
This question is one that Yakima Music en Acción (colloquially called “YAMA”) aims to answer, every day when we’re in session. At YAMA, we use string music education as a vehicle for our mission.
Rhythms at Rooted: Photo Gallery
On Friday, March 20, a small group of Philharmonia students and YAMA staff put together a pop-up chamber music concert at Rooted Yakima Valley!
TATI Comes to YAMA!
On March 26 and 27, teaching artists converged at YAMA for two days of hands-on professional development in a collaboration with the Teaching Artists Training Institute. We hosted facilitator Alan Wong, a lifelong Seattleite with over two decades of experience supporting youth, educators, and communities across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
2026 Spring Newsletter
There are ways that growth is visible and audible when a young musician is learning an instrument. There are also other layers of growth beyond what we can see and hear at YAMA performances. Students, staff, alumni, and parents share their reflections on what growth looks, feels, and sounds like at YAMA.
Meet YAMA's Assistant Teachers
This year, five incredible Assistant Teachers joined our team! Angelina, Belen, Dianna, Dylan, and Salvador have all brought a new level of dedication, creativity, and heart to our orchestras.
Learn about what the AT experience is like by reading an interview we conducted with Angelina and Belen.
Full Circle: Enerida Mendoza
Ms. Mendoza, leader of the Preludio Ensemble, began her musical journey with YAMA as a 5th-grade violinist in its very first year. Now a teacher at the program since 2022, she brings her experience full circle by creating a sense of safety, structure, and community for her students.
A Visit from the Stage
What does it look like when a professional soloist steps into a room full of young musicians? For students in YAMA's Chamber, Combo, and Philharmonia ensembles, they got to find out firsthand when violinist Denise Dillenbeck paid a visit to our program on February 18.