BUENA PARK, Calif. — Yamaha is pleased to announce the launch of the latest edition of its internationally acclaimed Junior Music Course at authorized Yamaha Music Education System (YMES) locations nationwide, in September 2008.

YMES serves 6,000 students at 50 locations nationwide.

Leading the way in music education technology and teaching methods, the curriculum has been updated by the Yamaha Music Foundation Tokyo's team of internationally recognized experts to reflect the very latest music education research.

Available in more than 40 countries and boasting over 6 million graduates, YMES strives to help young people express themselves musically, offering courses to children as young as age three. It serves 6,000 students, at 50 locations nationwide, including musical instrument dealer schools and independently owned music schools in the U.S. Graduates have become prominent professional musicians, teachers and life-long active music participants.

The latest edition of the Junior Music Course offers a host of additional keyboard playing games which make lessons more fun and effective; new, detailed and specific guidance for parents on how to help their children successfully learn music, and fully-animated DVDs that add an extra element of excitement to understanding musical concepts.

"The course material's images and musical styles, recognized around the world by educators for their scope, depth and quality, represent the latest in cutting edge methods that have made Yamaha Music Education System the leader in childhood music education for over 50 years," states YMES Manager Michael Morrell. "We're confident that these enhancements will have a powerful and positive impact on this already outstanding program."

"As school districts and communities grapple with support for their arts programs, Yamaha continues to provide children of all ages with outstanding learning opportunities such as the Junior Music Course," adds Morrell. "Those with limited children's music programs in their area may want to explore their local Yamaha Music School as an alternative."

For a complete listing of Yamaha Music Education System programs nationwide, click here.

The Yamaha courses began in the mid-1950s in Japan under the direction of Mr. Genichi Kawakami, the president of Nippon-Gakki Company, Ltd. (now called Yamaha Corporation). Mr. Kawakami believed his company was responsible not only for making a quality product, but also for teaching customers how to use the product. Consequently, he established the non-profit Yamaha Music Foundation (YMF) in 1966 for the purpose of developing and promoting music education and music popularization activities internationally.

YMF guides the development of the Yamaha Music Education System in 41 countries and also sponsors international events such as the Junior Original Concert (JOC). In the United States, the Music Education Division of Yamaha Corporation of America works in cooperation with Yamaha Music Foundation to design new courses, improve instructional quality, and refine existing programs.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or e-mail ymes@yamaha.com.