YAM introduces children to the traditional music of their heritage. Realizing the need to preserve this vital aspect of mountain culture as well as of positive activities for our youth, local educator, Betty McDaniel, began the program in January, 2008 with thirty two 3rd-5th graders at Holly Springs Elementary. Local traditional musicians teach students to play time-honored music on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo by ear – the traditional way. Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music (POSAM), Inc. is the non-profit that supports the YAM program.
The model that was used to create the YAM program was the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program which originated in Sparta, NC by a traditional musician, Helen White. Realizing the need to preserve a vital aspect of mountain culture as well as offer positive activities to under served youth, local musicians and educators, she founded JAM in Alleghany County, NC. , which serves as the central resource center for JAM programs currently located throughout western North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina. The geographic target area of JAM includes all of the Central and Southern Appalachian Mountains. YAM is now an affiliate of JAM.
Currently the YAM program provides instruction to over 400 hundred 3rd-8th grade students enrolled in the after-school program offered at 14 schools/sites in Pickens County. Sweet Potato Pie Kids is the performing band for YAM that promotes the YAM program by playing at various venues throughout the year. A traditional arts and music day camp, TAM YAM Camp, has been held for the past 14 plus years. Evening programs for 3rd graders up through adults are currently being held in 4 locations: Easley, Pickens, Six Mile and Salem (Oconee County). The Liberty area will have a site beginning in November 2024.
As with all things, instruments and instruction come at a cost. The goal of the program is to keep the tuition to the lowest level possible so that all interested youth will have an opportunity to carry on the heritage of our traditional Southern Appalachian music. To help assure this, the minimal tuition / rental fees are based on the Tier Level of the student. The program stands alone, and only receives funding from tuition, grants, sponsorships, fundraisers, and donations.
The model that was used to create the YAM program was the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program which originated in Sparta, NC by a traditional musician, Helen White. Realizing the need to preserve a vital aspect of mountain culture as well as offer positive activities to under served youth, local musicians and educators, she founded JAM in Alleghany County, NC. , which serves as the central resource center for JAM programs currently located throughout western North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina. The geographic target area of JAM includes all of the Central and Southern Appalachian Mountains. YAM is now an affiliate of JAM.
Currently the YAM program provides instruction to over 400 hundred 3rd-8th grade students enrolled in the after-school program offered at 14 schools/sites in Pickens County. Sweet Potato Pie Kids is the performing band for YAM that promotes the YAM program by playing at various venues throughout the year. A traditional arts and music day camp, TAM YAM Camp, has been held for the past 14 plus years. Evening programs for 3rd graders up through adults are currently being held in 4 locations: Easley, Pickens, Six Mile and Salem (Oconee County). The Liberty area will have a site beginning in November 2024.
As with all things, instruments and instruction come at a cost. The goal of the program is to keep the tuition to the lowest level possible so that all interested youth will have an opportunity to carry on the heritage of our traditional Southern Appalachian music. To help assure this, the minimal tuition / rental fees are based on the Tier Level of the student. The program stands alone, and only receives funding from tuition, grants, sponsorships, fundraisers, and donations.
Administration
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Betty McDaniel, Co-Director
864-878-4257, Email: [email protected] Pauline Blackston, Co-Director Email: [email protected] Tiffany Short, Assistant Director Email: [email protected] Logan Redding Email: [email protected] Ambler Elementary
Thursday Dr. Carlton Lewis, Principal Janet Hardin, Program Director [email protected] Ben Hagood Elementary Tuesday Jessica Hendricks, Principal Christine Esancy, Co-Program Director [email protected] Lacey Ellenburg, Co-Program Director [email protected] Central Academy of the Arts Monday Tish Goode, Principal Kim Keasler, Program Director [email protected] Crosswell Elementary Wednesday Andrew Shipman, Principal Allison Gillespie, Program Director [email protected] Dacusville Elementary Monday Travis Chapman, Elementary School Principal Cristy Flowers, Program Director [email protected] |
East End Elementary
TBD Chris Brewington, Principal Program Director – TBA Liberty Elementary Thursday Lowell Haynes, Principal Jared Roper, Program Director [email protected] McKissick Academy of Science and Technology Thursday Heather Touchberry, Principal Megan Carrasco, Program Director [email protected] Pickens Elementary Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (depending on instrument) Shannon Lawton, Principal Heather Hennessee, Program Director [email protected] Pickens Middle School (Club Days) James King, Principal Project Go (Club Days) Tye Morgan, Director Six Mile Elementary Monday Melissa Terry, Principal Joey Herring, Program Director [email protected] West End Elementary Wednesday Kimberly Robson, Principal Kela Simpson, Program Director [email protected] Home-School Arts Academy Rebecca Moore, Program Director [email protected] |
POSAM Board of Directors:
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The POSAM Board consists of the decision makers for the YAM Program. Bringing their expertise from their varying professions provides an excellent pool of individuals equipped to make the best decisions for the POSAM organization. We can be secure in knowing they always have our YAM students’ interests at heart in every action taken.
Pictured (L-R back row): Ryan Ferrell (Treasurer); Leo Pearson, and Ed McDaniel. (L-R Front Row): Pauline Blackston, Betty McDaniel (Co-Directors); Sondra Hennessee, Russ Hennessee, Chad Dalton (Board Chair); and Joseph Bowers. (Not pictured): Perry Gravely (Secretary) Josh Johnson; and Jan MacKenzie. |
YAM Ambassadors Council (YAC)
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Rick Baumgarner
Martin Beckman Julie Brown Jennifer Bryan Elaine and Tom Cloer Isaac Ferrell Donna Harden Karl Hill |
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Mission Statement
To create meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to participate and perpetuate the old time music, bluegrass music and dance traditions of the Southern Appalachians.
