Yakima Music en Acción (YAMA)

09/04/2026

Before summer break, the 25-26 Preludios drew how music makes them feel! We are so excited to welcome them back and to meet the new Preludio students 💜✨

08/28/2026

Itzel Ramirez, YAMA Class of 2020, is our Special Projects Coordinator! Reflecting on her time in this program and her journey after high school, here's what she had to say:

“Before I joined YAMA in 5th grade, I was a shy, isolated kid who had trouble speaking my mind. My time in YAMA helped me find my voice and passion for business and behind-the-scenes work. Now, I am one of four alumni staff members and give back to the program that shaped me by managing the Assistant Teacher Program.

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.”

Upon Itzel’s graduation from UW in 2024, she returned to YAMA to help us make this program an even better experience for our students. She’s already managed two cohorts of Assistant Teachers and helped organize several major events!

08/25/2026

YAMA is more than just an orchestra! It is a place where students and teachers learn and grow together. Here are just a few answers students had to the prompt, "Besides music, what else have you learned at YAMA?"

08/18/2026

We are proud to congratulate two of our staff members who, not only graduated from Central Washington University this spring, but are also now taking on new roles within the YAMA ecosystem! We're so glad to have you both, Mr. Flores and Mx. Taylor

08/07/2026

Before summer break, we asked our students "What would you say to your friends who are interested in joining YAMA?"
Here, a group of our Teaching Artists read out some of our favorite answers to the question!

08/03/2026

Here's a special announcement from the members of the YAMA string quartet who will be performing a set at Single Hill Brewery this Thursday, 8/6, from 5-7 PM!
Swing by to say hi, learn more about YAMA, and maybe even win a raffle prize!

07/31/2026

In his teaching, Mr. Relation strives to focus on including students in every part of the creative process. He believes that, together, they can cultivate the vibe of the ensemble, set goals together, and all have a part in making musical decisions. Although this might not represent how things are done in a standard professional orchestral setting, this kind of inclusion creates a space where students can think critically about music and the approach they will take in music making.

To learn more about Mr. Relation's teaching philosophy, visit YAMAmusic.org/blog See less

07/30/2026

We are honored to be partnering with Single Hill Brewing Company for a night of B**r Grows Community on August 6, where a portion of every pint sale after 2 PM supports our mission!!!

From 5 to 7 PM, some of our Teaching Artists will perform a special concert of string music, featuring pieces by our favorite composers and TV and film scores. We will also be raffling off some of our merch and sharing details about registration for the upcoming year.

Come on out, bring a friend, grab a drink (non-alcoholic options are available!), and enjoy some sweet serenades.

YAMA will be in the taproom on August 6th from 5-7pm for a night of B**r Grows Community! They will hold a raffle as also perform as a string quartet! A 50% of ALL PINT SALES from 2pm - close will be donated directly to YAMA!

07/23/2026

Mr. Whitecotton began playing bass at an after-school rock band program in late elementary school. From that day forward, he has been extremely passionate about music and the wonders it can do for people of all ages.

He believes that his job as a music teacher is to create a focused and calm environment where students can spend as much time as possible playing their instruments while also having enough time to build the social connections and joy that come from making music.

To learn more about Mr. Whitecotton's teaching philosophy, visit YAMAmusic.org/blog

07/20/2026

Shared values are the fundamental beliefs, principles, and priorities collectively embraced by a group, and not just a few individuals or directors. Our staff uses these values as a compass to guide decision-making at all levels—from how we interact with students, how we build trust across our team, how we structure field trips, and even how we hire newcomers to join our team of rock stars.

Even though the YAMA orchestras are at the core of our program, we are so much more than just a music-making program!