The Yamaha Young Performing Artist program held its award concert and festivities June 23-25. Three successful days of rehearsals, masterclasses, performing, networking, and socializing formed the backbone of this year's YYPA, the 13th in the program's history. As before, the winners come from across the country to receive their award and showcase their talent.

Yamaha percussion artist and clinician Dave Samuels worked with the winners for the weekend. He performed solo and with saxophonist Gilad Ronan in a jazz ensemble for the culmination of the program--the evening concert. YYPA is held at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, home of the Bands of America Summer Symposium. This not only provides a built-in audience, but one well-versed in the art of performance.

Marx, a 20-year-old student from Grand Valley State University, loved the feedback the other musicians provided. "It's very rare to get an audience like that," he says. "These are people who are really into music, they're enjoying what they are listening to, and it's just such positive energy. It was my favorite performance to date, just because it was so much fun; there was no pressure--it was all about the music and just going out there and playing. It was easily one of the best experiences of my life."

"It culminated really well," agrees James McCain, an alto saxophone player from the University of Delaware and at 18 years old, one of the younger winners. "The concert was easily the peak of the weekend for me; it was such a large and enthusiastic crowd. It was also a great opportunity to meet some other aspiring musicians from different parts of the country."

"It really was an invaluable experience," says Phillip Long, 22, a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "It's very generous of Yamaha as well: first of all, there is very little cost incurred by the winners, and one of their clinicians is also spending an entire weekend with us. I am a percussionist, so it was great to be able to have that time with Dave Samuels, as well as all of the other talented YYPA winners. Add to that the opportunity to perform for such a charged audience and it all wound up being an overall experience I could not have received elsewhere in my musical endeavors."

All the students were given a glimpse into the world of the professional musician, as well as an opportunity to learn from and network with accomplished people in the field.

"It was really so well organized; a great experience," Jessica Schmitz adds. Schmitz was a winner from last year, but she was already committed to a masterclass at Julliard when she found out. She participated in this year's awards. "I was really glad I got to participate this year--I just loved the whole weekend. Talking with John Wittmann and Kim Pant was so beneficial. I learned a lot, had a great time performing, and met some wonderful people in the process."

For more information about the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program, please contact Yamaha Corporation of America, Band and Orchestral Division, P.O. Box 899, Grand Rapids, MI 49518.