Education Programs-Young Musician Initiative

Young Musician Initiative

The Young Musician Initiative (YMI) was launched by the NMPhil in 2013. It is an in-depth music education program for Title 1 elementary school students. Based on the internationally renowned El Sistema Program, YMI builds confidence and instills life skills that serve them immediately and throughout their lives. The students receive vocal and rhythm training, private lessons, sectional practice with their chosen instrument, and full orchestra rehearsal. They perform regularly for audiences both small and large.

PROGRAM

YMI provides 14 hours per week of enriching activities outside of the school day, with students receiving choral and instrumental instruction, homework help, recreation time, and a healthy snack during each program day. YMI takes place at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Monday through Thursday from 2:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. for 26 weeks of the school year.

YMI is offered free of charge to students of our Title 1 partner schools, with the goal of providing a life-changing experience to economically and socially disadvantaged student populations. Our measurements indicate that 75 percent of YMI students are of Hispanic or Latino heritage, and 50 percent of YMI students are from bilingual homes (40 percent speak Spanish as a primary language; 10 percent speak Chinese as a primary language). Read More...