YMU STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Vol. 2 Issue 5 | A PUBLICATION OF THE YOUNG MUSICIAN'S UNIVERSITY
TAMAR BLUE
ISAIAH GREEN
The Young Musician's University
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IN THIS ISSUE DIRECTOR'S NOTE
The Young Musician's University celebrates 19 years of Giving the Gift of Music to thousands of students through music education, after-school programming, summer camps, and community events! Thank you for reading The YMU Collective as we highlight YMU Students, Staff, and other subjects of interest. If you are a YMU student interested in contributing and being a part of the YMU Collective Team, please send me a message through the YMU Portal. I would love to speak with you and get your insight. Please know that you do not have to be a local student to participate, we will have virtual connect meetings to discuss upcoming events and content. I hope that you enjoy this publication of the YMU Collective!
Mrs. Gray Director, The Young Musician's University
4 YMU Student Spotlight Tamar Blue
5 Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2022 YMU Parents, submit a special message to your graduate!
9 YMU Student Lands First Professional Gig Isaiah Green
11 YMU Launches Newly Designed Website 14 Go For It! See Where "Yes" Will Take You! Kierra Gray, YMU Instructor 3
THE YOUNG MUSICIAN'S UNIVERSITY
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Tamar Blue CONGRATS!!
Our student spotlights recognize students who are exceptionally demonstrating growth and musically excelling. We are so grateful to be associated with these fantastic students and their supportive parents! Again, congratulations Tamar! Keep up the great work!
ABOUT TAMAR I am in fifth grade, but next year I am going to sixth grade at Dent Middle School's, The Learning Collaborative (TLC) magnet program. In my free time, I like to play volleyball, draw, sing, and read. What I like about YMU is that my piano instructor, Ms. Kierra, helps me learn how to be independent but she also helps me improve my piano skills. "Tamar is currently hard at work learning her Recital Piece, an arrangement of “Spring” by Italian Baroque composer, Antonio Vivaldi. Tamar actually came to me herself with some songs that she’d love to learn on the piano and this one was on her list. Watching her come to class week after week conquering another section of the song has truly been a highlight. In class Tamar is a young lady of few words, but I can still see the sense of quiet accomplishment on her face when she nails a new line of music. I’m so grateful to play a small part in such victories. Keep working hard Tamar and congrats!" 4
~ Kierra Gray, YMU Instructor
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CONGRATULATIONS! Congrats to the class of 2022! We will be featuring our graduating students from elementary to high school in next month's edition of The YMU Collective. YMU Parents you can share your favorite pictures and leave a special message to your graduate by clicking the submit button below! Submissions are due by June 10th.
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EMMELINE KRAMER - YMU GUITAR ESSENTIALS 1A NIXEN ROFF - LITTLE MUSIC ESSENTIALS 2A THEO BLUE - LITTLE MUSIC ESSENTIALS 1A
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YMU Student Lands First Professional Gig!
"I am Isaiah Green and I now have my first professional job serving as the drummer for Ladson Presbyterian Church. I filled in for one Sunday service and was asked to come back to serve as the drummer for the church. Being a part of YMU since I was 4, and now I'm 16, has allowed me to perform and connect with other musicians and perform outside of YMU. Also, because you get so many chances to perform at YMU you are more prepared than other musicians. The advice I would give another student is to do your best, learn as much as you can, and practice."
Happy Birthday Isaiah Green - May 25th 8
PLAY YMU Legacy features past GMG throwback videos of recitals, concerts, workshops and other GMG moments that are now a part of the YMU Legacy! Check out this YMU Legacy moment as our students along with Mr. Gray, the Executive Director of YMU, perform a Blues Set.
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YMU
The Young Musician's University INTRODUCING OUR
Newly Designed Website Be sure to bookmark and share it with your family and friends! Learn more about the mission and vision of The Young Musician's University! Find the current and past issues of The YMU Collective!
Be sure to check out our brand new merh store, YMUnation!
We've got a new look! Be sure to take a peek! www.YMUNOW.com 11
YMUnation m e r c h
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s t o r e
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NOW OPEN!
GO FOR IT! SEE WHERE "YES" WILL TAKE YOU! Kierra Gray, YMU Instructor
I was recently hired to write a song for GeoNadir, an environmental company based in Australia. They're in the process of creating an animated video that tells the story of how drones are being used to help protect our at-risk ecosystems, and reduce the impact of climate change. They wanted a song for the video that was inspiring and uplifting, and more specifically, they wanted me to write it. Of course, I'm instantly excited by this! I have so many questions and ideas... until the doubt tries to creep in. "Am I good enough to give them what they want? Will they like what I come up with? Why do they want me?" It's interesting how no matter how far you get in your art form you still have to battle doubt when it comes to new opportunities. I had to remind myself that they wanted me. Out of all the other artists they could've chosen, they specifically wanted Kierra Gray. So I got to work. I began researching more about the company and what they stand for, watched the animated video they sent, listened to their reference tracks, watched their other reference videos, and read all of the notes they sent me. I wanted a complete understanding of what they were looking for, and then it happened... 14
At 5:00 o'clock in the morning no less, I wrote the song. Then the real work began. I was tweaking lyrics, using online dictionaries and thesauruses to make sure my point was clearly coming across, and then it was time to record. I created the arrangement, recorded the piano, laid the vocals, finished postproduction and I FINALLY had the song completed. As I was getting ready to submit the final product, all the doubt that I'd been fighting came back in full force. I literally sat
at my dining room table for an hour wrestling with my own thoughts. Then I made a decision. I realized that GeoNadir believing I was talented and perfect for the job wasn't enough. I had to believe it too... so I did. I took a deep breath and submitted the song. I hope they love it as much as I do. Look out for next month's issue to see the finished video! For more Information about Kierra Gray, visit www.kierragray.com
To the young musician out there wanting to try something new but a little nervous about it, go for it! I've personally designated this year to be a year of trying new things and I'm loving it! I'm going to have to take this approach with every year because it's stretched me exponentially in music, personally, and spiritually. Sometimes we are our greatest obstacle. Whether it's fear of failure, or even fear of success, that's not reason enough NOT to try something new. Just go for it, and see where saying "yes" takes you.
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In-Person or Online Instruction
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30 may 2022
MEMORIAL DAY
REMEMBER AND HONOR
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YMU
The Young Musician's University
music Essentials LITTLE
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! LEARN MORE
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The Young Musician's University
2003
2022