Unforgettable!

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Unforgettable. Ask just about any of the 150 plus grades 3-12 students from the Newark Central School District that participated in the recent, dynamic three-day “Young Americans” touring group performance workshop held here October 12-14th and they’ll tell you it was an experience they won’t likely forget. Kate Flock, Newark High School vocal music teacher who painstakingly organized the “Turn Up The Music” Signature Workshop event here this year, said the experience for the 260 students that participated from Newark, Lyons, Clyde-Savannah, Sodus Central and North Rose-Wolcott school districts was “fantastic.”

“The kids love it. It’s fast-paced and high energy,” she said.”And life-changing for many who haven’t participated in a “Young Americans” workshop before. Many of these kids are connecting for the first time with music, arts, dancing and performance. They kind of put themselves out there for the first time and it’s filled with emotion and exciting.”

The recent workshop marks the seventh time during the last 21years that the famed national and international touring group has held a performance workshop at NHS that hundreds of grades 3-12 students from Newark and other Wayne County schools have participated in. Founded in 1962, “The Young Americans” organization is dedicated to the promotion of understanding and goodwill among people throughout the world through music, dance, performance, academic education, and cultural interaction among student members and their audiences. Student members are accepted into the organization based upon their talent and their interest in helping other students throughout America and the world attain self-confidence, self-esteem, and respect for others through music, dance, and performance. Several NHS and other Wayne County high school graduates have become members of “The Young Americans” as a result of the workshops held in Newark.

This year’s event culminated with an outstanding two-hour evening show Oct. 14th to a packed house of nearly 1,000. Flock said there wasn’t an empty seat in the NHS auditorium . The first hour featured the dynamic YA cast performing. The second hour featured all of the students performing their hearts out with the tour group.

Once the 45 energetic YA performers began working with area students October 12th, Flock said they followed a rigorous schedule of workshops and rehearsals until the performance October 14th.

She said she’s heard nothing but positives from participating students and their parents about this latest outreach tour stop here. “So many are thankful for the experience and want to do it again,’’ she said. Newark High School senior Lauren Santino participated in “Young Americans” performance workshops five terms.

Flock said it’s a lot of work to set up the performance tour locally, but well worth the effort. “It’s so worth it when you see the kids, parents and audience members responses. And some of the parents are seeing their kids perhaps in a new light and it’s so rewarding,’’ she said. “One of the audience members said it was the best performance she’s ever seen at Newark High School,’’ Flock said.

“The Young Americans” organization handles registration and partners with Country Music Television (CMT) to offer $20 scholarships to students who want to participate and can’t afford the full $59 fee. Twenty Newark students received these scholarships this year. “We are so fortunate at Newark Central to host “The Young Americans” and be on their tour rotation every 3 years.” said Cindy Briggs, Kelley School instrumental music teacher and K-12 Music Department Leader. “Kate Flock put in many hours of organization to put together an amazing 3 days of learning for over 250 Wayne County students. To watch these “Young Americans” work with our students and put on a show of such magnitude, is amazing.  Special thanks to our community members for hosting these young performers in their homes for four nights” Flock said this year 15 parents and community members generously opened their homes to the performers, providing not only lodging, but also breakfast and packed lunches for them. “The Young Americans’’ were fed at the NHS Open House pasta dinner October 12.tth.

Host parents and others provided the evening meal for the group Oct, 14th. Emily Howard organized this. To learn more about “The Young Americans” check out their website at www.youngamericans.org