JOY is a kindergartener playing the violin.

JOY wrapped up the 2022/2023 school year on a high note! Concerts for supporters, families and friends were held to celebrate what we have learned and look at where we are headed. Students in kindergarten programs highlighted their posture, rest position, playing position, rhythm, bow holds, plucking and even put bows on strings. Older students prepared pieces from the past year to share, and our exiting 5^th graders gave a concert highlighting their favorite pieces from the past six years. Such a fun way to review not only this year, but the JOY Program!

JOY took our annual summer break but returned with renewed energy in August for JOY Summer Camp. JOY instructors welcomed 30 students entering grades 3 through 5 in our Edwards Elementary program to attend a two-week day camp. They had the opportunity to work in smaller groups with four of our JOY teaching artists daily, focusing on their theme of learning traditional folk songs. In week two, they had an opportunity to work with professional musicians from the Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival. Students enjoyed working with the artists and later had the opportunity to perform with them at a reception for Yamhill Enrichment Society supporters and families hosted by one of our supporters, Stoller Family Estate. It was a whirlwind and students really had the opportunity to shine.

In addition to the summer school activities, JOY also welcomed our new Program Director, Amy Brunner. Amy relocated to Yamhill Couty from Bend, where she directed the Central Oregon Youth Orchestra as well as the Pilot Butte Middle School and Bend Senior High School orchestra and choir director. Additionally, Amy has an administrative license with the state of Oregon. We are very excited to have Amy join YES to lead the JOY Team!

We are now busy with last-minute planning, working with district teachers, and finalizing preparations for the beginning of the school year. As I sit writing this, three JOY teachers are hard at work in our office with tissue boxes, tape, paint sticks, and craft paper to build more than 70 box violins for our new JOY schools. JOY is launching at Grandhaven and Wascher Elementary in McMinnville and Crater Elementary in Newberg. JOY kindergarten students will be provided box violins that will stay at the school and will be shared with multiple classrooms for the year. These will be used until kindergarten students are ready for their perfectly sized violins later this winter.

 JOY is ready for fall kickoff for the 2023/2024 school year!