And now, just eight months later, a group called The Young Americans comes to the school, invited by the Minister for Culture and Education of the state of Baden–Wuerttemberg, Germany. They present a creative workshop with about 350 children and teachers of the traumatized school center and after three days in a beautiful concert hall, the “Schwabenlandhalle”, they celebrate together an incredible life-affirming, joyous and beaming feast, full of dance and music, love and togetherness.

The principal of the Albertville–Realschule, a sensitive and beautiful woman in her forties, opens the final show, saying in front of the 1,200 spectators including many VIPs, “I have prepared a speech for tonight which I have held several times in the last months, but now it does not fit anymore. Now I see my children being happy, their eyes are laughing and they are full of energy. And all I have to say is: I am happy!”

Ecstatic children, electrified parents, beaming teachers and deeply moved officials are saying, “How is that possible? What has happened here? How can grief, sorrow and even hatred be overcome by a completely different energy in such a short time?”

There is a directive in psychological therapy saying that there are cases in which it does not make much sense to invest time and effort in the attempt to restore something which is irrestorably destroyed. They say, if a tree has lost its branches, instead of trying to fix the broken branches, it might be better to just plant a new tree.

Is that what should be done? Just leave the devastated, burnt-down spot of identity where it is and simply prepare another firm ground on which you can build a new identity? A strong positive memory, a carrying vision, a reliable anchor in dark stormy nights? Well, certainly not a substitute for solid and sophisticated psychological work, but possibly an extremely powerful addition to it!!!

The Young Americans have travelled for 17 years all over the planet to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Russia, everywhere in Europe and America. They have worked with millions of young people from all kinds of life circumstances. They have met students in universities, colleges, and private high schools, as well as in inner city schools, institutions for handicapped, orphanages and even in prisons. Their life circumstances very often couldn’t differ more vastly, but underneath, simple but true, they all have a heart. Kids are kids, humans are humans. And they want to be heard, respected, appreciated, loved, embraced. No matter what. Direct, undisguised, one to one, unconditioned. Unlimited.

The YAs are certainly not studied psychologists and the workshop is not a therapy process. But the powerful direct approach to the hearts of people which they have developed is unequal to anything else to be found on the planet. A powerful, fast, colorful, challenging and fascinating workshop, culminating in a giant public performance, carried by open arms, smiling eyes, warmth, trustworthiness, and beauty.

The Young Americans have learned to deal with and take responsibility for themselves. They know, when they really want to understand, they have to let go every form of prejudice, preconception, and even pre-assumption. They have developed a communication culture with team talks, in which nothing remains hidden. Everybody understands their own responsibility to attain clarity of perception, because how can they be expected to answer, if they do not see in the first place? They look right into your eyes and will respond according to what they find there. They will never adjust a student according to a program, but always adjust the program to the needs of the student. There will never be an expectation - when you cry, let us cry together; when you celebrate, let us celebrate together. Togetherness is what counts. Healing happens where true togetherness happens.

This works in universities, when student teachers finally meet true teachers teaching in a way they had dreamt of, when they decided to become teachers, but had long forgotten about. It works in schools, where children think that life consists of grades, YouTube, movies and ringtones. It works in inner city schools, where the gang identity is mistaken for life. It works in places where children suffer from disease, helping them experience that even in a broken body there can be a joyous heart. And believe it or not, it works in prisons, where you can start a workshop with young criminals and leave it with open young people, curious about life and for the first time about their own futures.

And now we know: it even works in Winnenden. So it can work in Columbine and in Beslan as well.

It will work in Africa, in Kenya, in Uganda, in Namibia. In their universities and in their slums. And in the big cities of South America.

They have found the most powerful and effective tool at all and they have learned how to use it: the loving heart.

~Nartan

Speaking for himself, but also for 45 of the most beautiful human beings this planet has ever seen, beautiful individuals courageously and passionately forming an incomparable team working for the benefit of children from Siberia to Gibraltar and having attained an incredible level of maturity.

The Young Americans International Music Outreach Tour “FALL 2009 Europe / Siberia”

So, when it came time to perform the song, he got nervous. That’s typical for anyone who just learned something ten minutes before performing. I just told him to relax and imagine everyone in their underwear, he laughed and said, “That was weird.” I kind of agreed. When it was time for him to sing, he asked me to stand with him, and I wasn’t going to leave him high and dry, so I stood there and sang it with him.

Show night was upon us, and, the night before, I had put the track for his solo on his iPod so he could practice. In the run-through, he sang his guts out. I was so proud of him. And, in the show, he was wonderful as well.

I had to say goodbye and it was very hard. He’s such a cool kid, and no one ever gave him a chance.

As we were loading out of the gym that night, Wylie’s father came up to me and thanked me. But I was the one who should’ve been thanking him for raising such a wonderful kid. His father had told me that the week before we got there, Wylie was second-guessing his decision to take the workshop. He said we got there and changed his son’s life. He thanked me for working with him and pushing him to his best. I told him that that is why we are here. Wylie’s father then said that after the show, Wylie came up to him and said, “Maybe I’ll do the school play.” Wylie’s dad started crying and gave me the biggest hug.

You always hear about the wonderful, amazing things that we as performers, teachers, people do, that make you say, “Wow, that’s so cool,” but to actually touch someone so deeply like that is so rewarding. Today’s youth are so misunderstood, you just gotta take a deeper look!

One of the most important dreams that Milton Anderson has had for The Young Americans has been to take us into Russia. We visited Ukraine a few years back which was part of the Former Soviet Union, and The Young Americans have been in countries all around Russia. A philosopher The Young Americans met in Germany once said, "In order for you [The Young Americans] to grow, you must go to Russia. They have a depth that you need." Over the years we have seen so many signs pointing Russia. Finally, 47 years after our organization’s founding, I had the great honor of living Milton's dream by leading a group of 47 Young Americans into Russia for the first time ever.

One young man that we met while we were in Novosibirsk, the capitol of Siberia, was named Dima. As I sat with our Russian contact, Edward, in his office while he showed videos of different projects he has worked on in the past, I came across a video of a young man in his early teens singing a song that he had written. He had an amazing energy. On the screen you could see him living every lyric, every note, and every moment. I asked, "Where is this boy? What is he doing?" Edward quickly responded with, "His name is Dima, and he will be joining us for the workshop." It seems we were destined to work with this incredible young man.

Dima sat with his eyes wide open as he took each of us in during the opening of the workshop. Watching intently with a little grin as we introduced ourselves, his little grin grew into a very large smile once The Young Americans began to sing and dance. Once it was the students turn to learn he was as eager as anyone to jump up and begin the workshop. He had incredible spirit the entire time, learning every step and every note as if every song was his new favorite song.

Towards the end of the second day the cast’s energy was beginning to slip; the schedule thus far had been exhausting, and even the veteran cast members were feeling a little bit tired. During the break before The Young Americans teach "Lion King," the finale to the show and workshop, we normally get together in a circle to share with each other and feed off each other’s energies. We then perform "Lion King" before we teach it allowing the students the ability to experience the number as an audience before they actually learn it. The YAs looked tired and beat. This was not the energy to have before teaching the last number of the workshop.

Now Dima had been asking me ever since he walked in to the workshop if he could sing for the cast. Not having the time in the moments when he asked I told him, "yes, but a little later." Always a little later, I could never find a time when we were not trying to hectically put the workshop together.

In the moment that the students were going outside to take a break before "Lion King" I remembered that the song that Dima wanted to sing was "Can you Feel the Love Tonight?" from the "Lion King." How perfect. I pulled Dima aside while the rest of the students left and asked him if he was ready to sing to The Young Americans. He responded with a very confident "Yes, I would like to sing for the Young Americans now." The YAs were standing in our traditional "Pre-Lion King Circle" holding hands and try to gather strength from each other. Dima slowly walked into the circle and a musical track to "Can you Feel The Love Tonight?" played over the speakers. The faces of each of the Young Americans instantly changed; some smiled, some grew watery eyes, and some closed their eyes for a moment as if the emotions that they were feeling were just too much.

To say that Dima sang to us would be the understatement of the year. Dima, a 17 year-old young man changed our lives in that instant. He believed every word he sang. It was as if he was teaching us about the love in the room, telling us the story of our lives. By the middle of the song we were completely drenched with Dima's incredible spirit, and by the end every single YA head heavy eyes and some of us began to cry the most incredible tears of appreciation and joy. What an incredible honor it was for us to be standing in a small dirty gymnasium in the middle of Siberia and be inspired by this incredible young man.

Thank You, Dima for everything you taught us.

Travis Goode
Associate Director

A note from Dima

When I saw so many Young Americans I was happy, because they all smiled and they have a very hard and a very strong wish working with us. They sang and danced and I wanted to sing and dance with them. I very like their vocal and songs what they sing and energy what they give I understood that they were professional. I liked that choir and conductor working a solo and whole group. And songs vocal parts and dance what they taught to me. And actor acting techniques.

They work out 100%, very energetic, open hearts and so much smiling and good wishes to all of us. They supported me in vocal and dance parts. I was very assured with all of them.

I love being in their family.

All the girls are so beautiful and I not able to choose best one so I fall in love with all. I await a new chance to see them all again.

I thank you so much for me to sing for you all the song "Can you feel the love tonight"! An honour to perform for you too.

Earlier this year, the company next door to our main facility vacated allowing us the opportunity to expand and renovate. The new building enabled us to grow from a facility with minimal offices and shared rehearsal/classroom space, to two adjacent buildings almost doubling our size. We have been able to increase our offices and rehearsal halls, relocate our storage onsite, and add dedicated classroom space, as well as a student lounge and computer lab.

Expanding our campus has allowed us many opportunities beyond the obvious elbowroom. Not only are our offices and halls less crowded, but we now have appropriate restroom facilities for our cast of 200+ Young Americans. In addition, major improvements have been made to our storage facilities and communications systems as well as our offices and classrooms. The prevailing benefit of our expansion is its fulfillment of a major step in our college accreditation process.

We would like to recognize and thank everyone involved in the renovation process for all of their hard work and support.

For more information about ongoing improvements or questions about how you might be able to assist us, please contact us at info@youngamericans.org or 951.493.6753.

In this special holiday production the YAs take audiences on a ride to a magical place. Christmas in the northern mountains, snow, and a small town; ice-skating, building a snowman, cutting down a Christmas Tree, making snowballs, and snuggling by the fire. They experience a show within a show at our own "Holiday Inn," take a sleigh ride, ski the slopes, shop on a small-town main street and hear the special sounds of Christmas at a country church.

Our 5,000 audience patrons this season enjoyed new numbers highlighted by our rendition of "I Want a Rhinoceros for Christmas," featuring life-size rhino costumes created by a Young Americans alumnus from 1964, Ernie Rettino. Another new component to this year's production was a Friday afternoon matinee performance for 500+ invited guests from Children's Hospital of Orange County, Kristie's Foundation, Stand Up for Kids, CASA Orange County, Valley Christian High School, Rowland High School, Rio Contiguo and Project HOPE.

They truly bring the flavor and spice to every stage they grace and bring a magical finishing touch to this Tarbell event. There is nothing more exhilarating than watching these different worlds combine on one stage! Young, old, Broadway, traditional dance from Ireland, Scottish bagpipes, Chinese dragons and the list goes on, but nevertheless, always authentic and always with one thing in common, from the directors to the producers to the performers, THE LOVE OF MUSIC!

This year's Playbill will include a full orchestra, concert organist, a 24-piece Bagpipe and Drum band with a flag spectacular, selections from one of Lerner & Loewe’s first musicals, Brigadoon, continuing on with the semi-staged version of Lerner & Loewe's, My Fair Lady, and into an inspiring medley from the Young American repertoire.

The production will be held on February 11th 2010! The show is unfortunately not open to the public, as it is a celebration for Tarbell Realtors employees, however if you’d like to attend, a limited number of guests will be allowed into the dress rehearsal Wednesday evening, February 10th. Please contact the Young American office for more info.