Summary
Overall program description: Youth Enlightenment System (YES) Academy offers a flexible, inclusive, and enriching
music program that integrates opportunities for social-emotional development and social skills acquisition for children
and youth ages 5 to 21. Program participants develop their artistic talent while learning music notation, playing a variety
of musical instruments, and performing in choral and symphonic orchestras. The program utilizes classical and popular
music content and is structured to continuously evaluate the process of imitation, precision, control, and automation
both individually and in group settings. The main goal is to identify the participants’ learning style, and adapt the lessons
to meet their needs, using varied educational approaches and ensuring children and youth of all abilities can integrate
into all group activities. This program has proven to be especially effective supporting participants who have been
identified as being in the Autism Spectrum, with hearing impairment, Down Syndrome, language delays, and physical
disabilities.