Nearly 200 local youth in the 4th through 12th grade levels received some additional exposure to the performing arts last week with the help of the ‘The Young Americans,’ a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the performing arts to youth in communities across the country.
Click here to view a photo gallery of area youth rehearsing with 'The Young Americans' on Saturday
“Basically we are trying to give them a safe, fun environment to experience all aspects of the arts,” said Bruce Sampson, an associate director with the organization. “Ultimately our goal is to show the kids how important the arts are and being a well-rounded individual and also to encourage the community to support the arts.”
Since Thursday, more than 45 members of the Young Americans have worked with young attendees on singing, dancing and acting. On Saturday, the young performers put their skills to the test by performing twice at the Milton High School auditorium in front of friends and family members.
One of those performers was 13-year-old Addison Wyatt of Pace. Wyatt is set to perform for the first time in front a crowd which included her parents. Although giving a solo performance in front of a large crowd could cause anxiety for anyone, Wyatt said the one thing she learned from the Young Americans was “to not be scared to perform in front of crowds.”
In addition to performing with the other youth throughout both shows, Wyatt said she was going to play guitar while singing a song she had wrote herself called ‘The Road.’
“It’s basically about a girl who goes on a path to find her best fit,” she said.
Wyatt said she plans to further explore the performing arts as she gets older.
“It’s fun…I love music,” she said.
Christina Haltom, a Navarre resident, said her 10-year-old daughter Audrey has enjoyed the experience thus far.
“She is making new friends,” Haltom said. “She is now telling me that she wants to join the Young Americans.”
Haltom is excited to see area youth receiving additional exposure to the performing arts. She believes it could be used as an creative outlet for children and teenagers.
“I feel performing arts is a good outlet for emotions,” she said. “Singing can help you release emotions.”
Sampson said this was the largest amount of children the traveling group has worked with on their current three-month tour. Sampson also said that kids in this area are open to learning more about the performing arts.
“There are certain towns that we go to where it’s harder to get the kids out of their shells,” he said. “These guys came ready to go.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Local youth get exposed to performing arts through ‘Young Americans’ workshop (PHOTOS)