Young Musicians & Artists (YMA) Celebrate Art Opening

Portland, November 5thth, 2014. The Young Musicians & Artists recently partnered with Blue Sky Gallery to exhibit some of the photography of its students. Photography student Sarah S., YMA Executive Director Quinland Porter, event organizer Diana Kerman and one of the hosts from Blue Sky Gallery celebrate a successful gallery opening. Students, parents and friends gathered for the show. A string quintet made up of YMA instrumental students provided music. (photo credit, Blue Sky Gallery)

Student Photographers Elise F. and Tate M. stand proudly in front of their work.

YMA String students Tommy C. and Mya H. provide beautiful cello music for the reception.

From YMA:

YMAwould like to thank photography instructor Mark Fitzgerald, event organizers Diana Kerman and Nancy Kurkinen and the Blue Sky Gallery for generously sharing their space. The show ran through Nov 30th at Blue Sky Gallery, 122 NW 8th Ave.

Since 1965, Young Musicians & Artists (YMA) has provided a high-quality residential summer performing and visual arts program. Students who have completed grades 4 through 12 receive professional instruction in dance, instrumental music, photography, creative writing, piano, musical theatre, songwriting, composition, theatre, visual arts, and vocal music.

The primary goals of the Young Musicians & Artists program are to provide excellent arts instruction, to expose students to first-class artistic work by professional artists, to foster a love and appreciation of creative expression, and to build confidence and self-esteem in young artists.

YMA has grown steadily from a one-week summer camp of 50 string students to the Northwest’s premier visual and performing arts residential summer program. Since 1974, YMA has been housed at Willamette University, which offers outstanding facilities and an environment that is perfectly suited to the appreciation of the arts. Today, 50 artist/instructors, 20 guest artists, and 40 student-counselors work with approximately 250 students with a keen interest in the performing and visual arts.

The superb instruction, creative environment, camaraderie among the counselors and students, and lasting friendships bring former students, parents, and friends back year after year to relive that “YMA magic.”

Join us! Take part in YMA as a student, parent, audience member, or visitor. All of our evening performances are open to the public, including our final performances and Session 2 gallery display, and we encourage you to attend. You will be impressed and amazed, not only by the work these young artists produce in such a short time, but also with the personal growth and joy that the YMA program allows them to experience.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.