Warm greetings to all of you who are considering becoming students at The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts.
We are here to help you grow in all aspects of performance. We bring you outstanding teaching and performance opportunities made possible through training with our special and highly experienced faculty. Classes are designed so that the material taught can be directly used in the student’s life. In other words, we present classes that spark the student’s interest. If there is no strong desire to learn there can never be permanent and lasting attainment of knowledge.
The Young Americans develops an individual’s talents and abilities, and enables the student to tour and perform both here in the United States and around the world. We accept the honor and trust of the entire educational community through the fifty United States, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, England, Japan, Russia and in many other countries throughout Europe and Asia. Our organization is welcomed into each country’s public schools and communities to teach and work with their young people.
We invite you to become a part of this exciting development in education.
Sincerely,
Milton C. Anderson, Founder
Hello Everybody,
I’m Bill Brawley – Executive & Artistic Director of The Young Americans. In 1973 I moved from Niles, Michigan to Southern California and joined this incredible group. You know, it seems like yesterday that I was in your shoes. I must tell you that was the best decision I ever made.
Now The Young Americans are preparing to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Back in 1962 the philosophy was “Understanding Youth Through Music.” Today, that idea still remains the same and much more.
The International Outreach Program, where The Young Americans are teachers to students all over the world, continues to grow. We work with over 40,000 students and perform to millions globally every year. Whether it be a Bull Ring in Spain, a Circus in Siberia, a concert hall in Yokohama, Japan or a high school gym in Idaho, each place is a special experience for all.
Our school is also a one of a kind experience, a unique training ground for performers, educators and life. The “make it work” philosophy develops a student’s mind, body and soul and prepares them for their future. We are a relatively small school (350 max.) and pride ourselves on being a close knit family where each person is important.
Our Future is Unstoppable. Come Join Us.
We are here for you.
Bill Brawley, Executive & Artistic Director
The extraordinary young people who are students at The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts are not always beautiful or handsome in the way glamour magazines show. They represent all colors and many religions of the world. They come from wealthy homes and poor homes, from big cities and small towns, two-parent homes and one-parent homes. The common qualities that each of them share is a passion for the performing arts, caring for others and a desire for personal and artistic growth.
Those who are chosen to participate in The Young Americans program leave their families and friends in places like Nebraska, New York, Alabama, Tokyo, Hamburg and London to travel to Southern California to begin a life of extraordinary hard work and sacrifice — a life that will include not only training in theater, music and dance, but laughter, tears, travel, understanding, wisdom, and lifelong friendships. The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts program encompasses intensive study in vocal performance, dance, acting, music theory, and music history. In addition, the program recognizes the need for the student to study the basics of human psychology, personal finance, and more to develop life skills so they may become not simply a successful performer, but a performer who is successful in all aspects of their life.
The program of study is very intensive. The average YA student spends 45 hours each week in their freshman year engaged in lectures, classes, workshops and rehearsals. In the second year, the student is exposed to a variety of performance opportunities and is encouraged to refine the skills needed in the entertainment and education world. By the end of their time with the program, the student has had the opportunity to participate in studio recitals, live concert performances, and 10-week domestic and/or international touring productions. The graduating student has a strong skill set that will help them become successful as a performer, educator or whatever they choose for their life’s work.
