News

Waylon Jordan "Power of Music" Memorial Scholarship

Applications are now being accepted for the Waylon Jordan "Power of Music" Memorial Scholarship for students who wish to attend Young Performer's International band or chorus classes.

The scholarship will cover up to 100% costs of any band or chorus class from September 2006 through June 2007.

This scholarship is open to all applicants:

1. who have chosen music as an important part of their life, and who have a serious desire to grow and learn as a performer and musician.

2. who would not otherwise be able to afford the life-changing music opportunity of being a part of Young Performer's International, because of a financial struggle or a situation in the student's life in which their love and involvement in music could be compromised without the assistance of such a scholarship.

To apply, please submit the following via email or mail:

1. A letter from the student's parent/guardian explaining the need for this scholarship. If less than a 100% scholarship award is acceptable, please indicate so in your letter so that we may accommodate as many individuals through this program as possible.

This letter should answer the following:

• How has the power of music aided the student in a difficult time?
• How has music connected the student to others?
• How does the student share a love of music to enhance his or her life and the lives of others?
• Why should the applicant be awarded this scholarship?
• And, if the student is age 9 or older, please have them submit EITHER a two paragraph letter answering the first three questions listed above OR submit a demonstration of his or her passion for and understanding of the power of music by any other artistic means such as a video, DVD, audiotape, CD, selection of photos, etc.

Mayor Proclaims YPI Day in San Francisco

Mayor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed November 30, 2005 "Young Performers International Day in San Francisco. " Fifteen talented YPI young musicians from all around the Bay Area gathered in the City Hall Rotunda to perform a set of holiday music that ranged from Hannukah to Christmas to the Winter Solstice -- with a few inspirational Oldies thrown in just for fun - in the city Hall Rotunda as part of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services noontime concert series.

Hailed by Patti Carlisi, the concert series producer, as being "without a doubt the best chorus group to date", the Young Performers International superstars were invited on the spot to return next year, and were each given a proclamation signed by the Mayor declaring Wednesday, November 30, 2005 to be "Young Performers International Day in San Francisco."

YPI Benefit Dance Party at Slim's on Sunday, August 22

YPI's 2004 "Summer in the City" music camp culimnated in a benefit dance party at Slim's, Bozz Scaggs' all-ages nightclub in San Francisco, on Sunday, August 22, from 8-11pm. The benefit featured Bay Area music luminaries Zigaboo Modeliste, king of the funky drums, and Joey Blake, Sunshine Becker, David Worm, Bryan Dyer, and Ashling Cole, a vocal band spinoff of Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra and benefited YPI's youth outreach programs. See our press release and Summer in the City photo gallery for more information.

Curiously Strong: 100% Rock'n'Roll

Curiously Strong: Olivia Evans, Clare Wlodarczyk, Brenna Stanton and Alissa Goldberg
Photo courtesy Max Kellenberger,

Curiously Strong is YPI's rockin' grrl band, performing their unique brand of rock'n'roll at great San Francisco venues like bookseller Cover to Cover and Professor Sludge Guitar Academy's June 13 benefit concert for H.E.A.R. (Hearing Education Awareness for Rockers). See what the San Francisco Chronicle's Aidin Vaziri has to say about Curiously Strong in this Datebook article.

Allen Biggs and the Bucket Brigade

YPI percussion maestro Allen Biggs leads the Bucket Brigade teens in churning out high-energy beats in fantastic array, from Afro-Caribbean to Latin, all on found objects -- like buckets! The San Francisco Chronicle's Vicki Larson was blown away by the stunning polyrhythms of the Bucket Brigade. Inspired to learn more? Check YPI's Bucket Brigade class offering.

YPI in David Weigand's Lively Arts

David Weigand featured YPI in his March 31, 2004 Lively Arts column, highlighting YPI's April 18 spring concert, Songs from Our World, which benefited YPI's children's music outreach programs.