Young Appalachian Musicians
  • Home
  • Donate
  • About Us
    • News
    • Bands
    • Instructors
    • Child Protection Policy
  • Programs and Lessons
    • Evening Music Program
    • YAM After School Program
  • Volunteer
  • Photos
  • YAM-O-GRAM Newsletter
YAM After School Program 

YAM is an after-school program that originated in 2008 at Holly Springs Elementary School in Pickens, SC. It was created to introduce and preserve the heritage-rich Appalachian music to local third through eighth graders. They are being taught by local musicians to play banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin using the play-by-ear method. The students attend a one hour lesson for twenty weeks throughout the school year.

The YAM program began with 32 children and four instructors at the one school. Today, in the YAM after-school program, 320 students and 20 instructors are participating in twelve Pickens County schools.

The unprecedented success of the program has presented countless blessings and as many challenges.

Evening Music Program

We also have a program that includes teaching youth and adults. It began in August 2011. Approximately seventy students participated in the first session of classes. The enthusiastic response to the popular summer session prompted making this a year-round program.

​This program is open to all ages (third grade through adults) and is designed to teach students to play Appalachian music with acoustic instruments. Instruments include guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and banjo. 


To find out more information about what areas the program is offered in and who the instructors are see -  Evening Music Program

The Evening Music Program is sponsored by Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music Inc. (POSAM), a charitable non-profit organization. For more information on the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) program, visit www.YAMupstate.com, Facebook: “YAM (Young Appalachian Musicians)”, call (864) 878-4257 or e-mail mcdanibw1@gmail.com.

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