Amanda gave an impassioned presentation about her organisation. She has been involved with Yona (a Edmonton Orchestra sponsored musical enrichment program for underprivileged children. Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta - Sistema (YONA-Sistema) is a program offered by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. This program is modeled on the ground-breaking El Sistema project in Venezuela which uses music for social change and teaches the values of unity, harmony, and mutual compassion. Five days a week, for almost three hours each day, 75 students receive group instrument lessons, led by qualified teachers, at no cost to their families. In this caring environment, students are given nutritious snacks, homework help, and engage in free play and physical activity, and are then bussed safely home. Each year, another group of students participates in a "YONA Explorers" program, building their musical and social skills in an introduction to the YONA philosophy before joining the full 5-day-per-week program. Amanda talked about how the program has 7 components; - Nutrition;
- Instrument time;
- Break time;
- Musicianship;
- Choral and movement;
- Academia and
- Expressive art.
She shared photos of some of the students, talked about some success stories and showed an inspiring video. Our Club has been a sponsor for the Yona program for the past 5 years and Lorne Parker is the member of our Club who has been the champion for Yona within the Club. We are proud of our affiliation with this great program. |
