Young Appalachian Musicians
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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 three hundred 3rd-8th grade students enrolled in the after-school program offered at 12 schools/sites in Pickens County. Pickens High School has bluegrass in the curriculum and a bluegrass string band.  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 nine years. Evening programs for 3rd graders up through adults are held in 6 upstate locations: Easley, Greenville, Pickens, Six Mile, Walhalla and Clemson.

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 set on a sliding scale based on what the student pays for their school lunch. The program stands alone, and only receives funding from tuition, grants, sponsorships, fundraisers, and donations. 

Administration

Betty McDaniel, Executive Director  
864-878-4257, Email: mcdanibw1@gmail.com

Pauline Blackston, Assistant Director
Email: blackspm1@outlook.com
Pauline Blackston, our YAM Assistant Director, has regular office hours for YAM business at Holly Springs Center, 120-B Holly Springs School Road, Pickens, 29671.  She is there every Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm if anyone needs to drop by or call.  The phone number is 864-878-9335.
Ambler Elementary
     Carlton Lewis, Principal
     Janet Hardin, program director
     janethardin@pickens.k12.sc.us

Ben Hagood Elementary
     Paula Alexander, Principal
     Christine Esancy , program director
    ChristineEsancy@gmail.com
  
YLA Charter School
    Sandee Blankenship, Principal
    Gretchen Carpenter, program director
    GretchenCarpenter@gmail.com

Dacusville Elementary and Middle School
    Travis Chapman, Elementary Principal
    Wanda Tharpe, Middle School Principal
    Cristy Flowers, program director
    CristyFlowers@pickens.k12.sc.us
 
Liberty Elementary
     Lowell Haynes, Principal
     Suzanne Aldridge, program director
     SuzanneAldridge@pickens.k12.sc.us   

Chastain Road Elementary
     Jessica Patterson, Principal
     Mary Johnson, program director
    Maybelle.johnson@gmail.com

Pickens Elementary
     Donna Harden, Principal
     Tiffany Short, co-program director                                                 
​     tiffanyshort@pickens.k12.sc.us


 
Pickens Middle School
     James King, Principal
     Tom Kelley, program director
     tomkelley1@att.net     

Six Mile Elementary
     Melissa Terry, Principal
​    Jan Nations, Program Director
    JanNations@pickens.k12.sc.us
                
Getty's Middle School
    Mr. Michael Cory, Principal
    AleciaGilcrease, program director
    aleciagilcrease@pickens.k12.sc.us
 
Home-School Arts Academy
   Rebecca Moore- program director 
   Alleluiadance@yahoo.com

Central Academy of the Arts
   
Tish Goode, Principal
   Kim Keasler- program director 
   KimKeasler@pickens.k12.sc.us

McKissick Academy of Science and Technology
   Heather Touchberry, Principal
​   Ashley Gilbert- program director 
   AshleyGilbert@pickens.k12.sc.us

POSAM Board of Directors:

Betty McDaniel, Director  
Chad Dalton, Secretary
​Russ Hennessee, Treasurer
Ryan Ferrell, Chair 
Greg Lucus,Vice-chair
Perry Gravely
Russ Hennessee
Donna Harden
Ed McDaniel
Frank Porter
Mandy Ellenburg
Josh Johnson
Guy Latham
Sondra Hennessee


YAM Ambassadors Council (YAC)

Rick Baumgarner
Martin Beckman
Joey Bowers
Julie Brown
Jennifer Bryan
Elaine and Tom Cloer
Wayne Erbsen
Karl Hill
Scot Hockman
John Howard
Dot Jackson
Josh Johnson
Christie Keller
Bob Lanford
Becky Osteen
Donna Roper
Dave Snyder
​Reid Toth
Beek Webb
Susan Ware-Snow
Terry York

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.

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Copyright 2012 Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music, Inc. All Rights Reserved