The YMU Collective December 2022

TheYoungMu

IN THIS ISSUE

THE YOUNG MUSICIAN'S UNIVERSITY

Our mission is simple: We are reimagining music education by providing an ecosystem where students can learn, explore, create, share and connect as a community of young musicians nationwide

The YMU Campus offers students ages 4-18 a unique learning experience Our specially designed online platform uses powerful integrated software in a collaborative connected environment for our learners

So whether your child is exploring our online music library, participating in a collaborative music project, creating music in our online recording studio, participating in a virtual field trip, or improving their musicianship through music instruction, The Young Musician’s University is a virtual space where your child will thrive and discover their passion for music!

I hope that you enjoy this publication of The YMU Collective!

Mrs. Gray Director, The Young Musician's University

Announcing

The Young Musician's University is "Reimagining Music Education" by launching the YMU Campus for students ages 4-18! The owners, huaband and wife team Bevis and Tembi Gray, have successfully operated a brickand-mortar music school since 2003 They have strategically taken the best practices of helping students excel in music education over the past 20 years, and transformed them into an online music education ecosystem where students can learn, explore, create, share and connect as a community of young musicians nationwide

Since 2019 YMU has been progressively transitioning to reach students all over the country through the development of their new online platform. YMU's specially designed platform uses powerful integrated software in a collaborative environment for all students.

"We are committed to providing students with a great musical foundation and an experience that will last them a lifetime," said Mrs Gray, YMU Director In addition to offering instruction in piano, voice, guitar, and drums, YMU has expanded its online music program to offer percussion, strings, brass, and woodwind instruments Through a strategic partnership with Music & Arts, students will be able to rent instruments directly through YMU This will also include instrument rental repair if needed

Mr Gray, YMU Executive Director, said, "One of our goals was to make sure that YMU is both accessible and affordable for families without compromising the quality of our music program. We want students to have the opportunity to experience a high-quality virtual music education program, especially in rural areas where music lessons may not be as easily accessible."

with schools in several states about bringing YMU to their students as our staff expands to teachers across the nation We have some very exciting opportunities brewing that will increase our ability to make an impact in the online music education and technology industry We are so thrilled about YMU's future, and we are open to strategic partnerships with community organizations and schools that align with our vision and mission of providing highquality online music education to youth "

"Online music lessons are a convenient option for homeschooling families as well " said Mrs Gray "We wanted to create an online music program where students not only take music lessons but can explore music in various facets in a virtual collaborative community of likeminded musicians So whether students are exploring YMU's online music library, creating music in our online recording studio, participating in a virtual field trip, or improving their musicianship through online music instruction, The Young Musician’s University is a virtual space where students thrive and discover their passion for music!"

"The Young Musician’s University is a virtual space where students thrive and discover their passion for music!"

thanyou

YMU!

YMU was the after-school music program that David attended for 2-3 years in Elementary School that introduced bass guitar, electric guitar, drumming, and vocal lessons to his repertoire. Previously, we only thought of David as this obsessive pianist. Then, YMU not only put the other instruments in David's hands but also put him as a featured vocalist in front of 200+ people (including us). That moment changed everything when Angela and I realized that David not only could sing much better than we knew but was able to do so publicly without any anxiety. From there, YMU gave him several additional opportunities to sing and perform various instruments publicly with YMU before he moved on to Middle School, where he went on to win the Dent Middle Talent Show in 6th grade, the MVP for Dent Chorus for 7th grade, and of course, you know the rest of the story with our little band To date, DV&C has earned over $16,000 and performed 45 times at 15 unique venues, performing over 250 different songs for over 8,000 people. Additionally, prior to 2018, David also performed publicly without pay at another 30 events at 20 other venues, performing approximately other 100 songs for another 8,000 people. Those are some pretty impressive numbers. And none of that would have been possible without YMU getting the ball rolling. So, if you have a budding young musician, think YMU. Tembi and Bevis Gray, the owners, are really high-quality people that will be great partners for your children on their journey.

Check out what David Vandelay has been up to!

Vandelay

YMU Legacy features p of recitals, concerts, w moments that are now a part of the YMU Legacy!

We are thankful for Dean's thank you message to YMU! David is certainly one talented young musician! Check out this YMU Legacy moment with his son, YMU Alum, David Vandelay performing Christmas Time is Here. Enjoy a piece of YMU history!

-RENEE FLEMING

"Fostering creativity in children is as important as any other part of the school curriculum because it feeds the soul. A daily dose of creativity helps children imagine a better world and then create it."

"ALL THE SIMPLE THINGS"

YMU INSTRUCTOR RELEASING NEW SONG!

YMUInstructorandsinger-songwriter, KierraGray,issettoreleaseanewsongin January2023titled"AllTheSimple Things".Whenaskedaboutthesong, Graysaid"Themessageisreallysimple It'sabouttreasuringtheeveryday momentswiththepersonyoulove.It's rememberingthateventhoughthese momentsseemordinary,that'swhat makesthemspectacular!Myfavoriteline inthesongisattheendofthechorus It goes'Listen,love...islovingallthesimple things'andIhonestlybelievethat Doing lifewithsomeoneyouloveiswhattakes thingsfromordinarytoextraordinary."To stayuptodate,clickthelinksbelowto followKierraonFacebook,Instagram,or gotoherwebsite.

Merry Christmas

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We had such an amazing time on Sunday, December 12, 2022 at YMU's 19th Annual Winter Recital! Thank you Nicki Thomas as well as our YMU Alum, Mikell Snooks, for capturing such beautiful moments! Also, a quick shoutout to Family Worship Center - Columbia where our MVP parent, JT Clark is the pastor. And a special thanks to Ms. Ingram who is another YMU MVP Parent! We appreciate our team at The Young Musician's University, our hardworking YMU students, and our amazing YMU parents for your continued dedication! Parents you truly made this event a wonderful experience for each of our students!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Kylee Otto - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Liam Wallace - Carnival of Venice

Bella Wall - A Christmas Waltz

Christopher Davis - Alouette

Jadon Emokpae - Arabesque

Kayleigh Clark - Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Aspen Osaguona - Music Box Girl

Nixen Roff - The Muffin Man

Kylie Gray - We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Adryan Roff - The Eighth Note March

Tierra Ingram - Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Liam Wallace - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Jaden Campbell - Sonatina in A Minor

Justin Adams - March of the English Guard

Kylee Otto - Over The Rainbow

Jadon Emokpae - Never Lost

Braylon Ferguson - Same God

Nixen Roff - Deck The Halls

Jaden Campbell - Autumn Leaves

Joshua Campbell - Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy

Joshua Adams - One Note Samba

Merry Christmas !

s ic

Little Music Essentials is a piano program designed for kids ages 4-6. We use an awardwinning curriculum comprised of singing, dancing, and ear training to foster your child's love for music!

LEARNING PATH

LITTLEMUSICESSENTI 1

LITTLEMUSICESSENTIALS1

Concepts taught are: How to sit at the piano; Correct hand position; High and low; Loud and soft (forte and piano); Keyboard topography; Bar line and measure; Quarter, half, whole notes and rests; and Repeat signs. The first pieces in the book are played on the black keys Later in the book, C D E for the RH and C B A for the LH (Middle C position) are taught with beginner pre-reading songs

LITTLEMUSICESSENTIALS2

Little Music Essentials 2 starts with prereading, then moves to reading on the staff. After a review, the new concepts taught are: Dotted quarter notes and 4/4 time, 3/4 time, Mezzo-forte, Staff and note reading, Steps and skips, and the Grand Staff New notes taught are F and G in the LH and RH, completing the Middle C position

LITTLEMUSICESSENTIALS3

Little Music Essentials 3 has students reading music that is completely written on the staff After a review, the new concepts taught are: Staccato, Legato, slurs; Melodic and harmonic 2nds and 3rds; and Melodic and harmonic 4ths and 5ths Bass clef C D E is also taught for the LH Students then know all notes necessary to play in the C position Playing both hands together is taught near the end of the book

Little Music Essentials is a piano program designed for kids ages 4-6. We use an award-winning curriculum comprised of singing, dancing, and ear training to foster your child's love for music!

LITTLEMUSICESSENTIALS4

Little Music Essentials 4 introduces students to new concepts such as: Flat and sharp signs; Ties; and Crescendo and diminuendo. After reviewing C position and Middle C position, G position is also taught All three positions are used alternately throughout the rest of the book, with flat and sharp notes incorporated