Student Mentors
OPERATION S.M.I.L.E.
STUDENT MENTORS INTEGRATING LEARNING EXCELLENCE began in 2002 as a way to strengthen the abilities of all young string musicians in the county. High school students who have been playing for several years go through a special course sponsored by the Yuma Orchestra Association so that they can become mentors to less experienced string musicians. The mentors give private lessons to younger students who are already participating in an orchestra. The students taking lessons receive help with their class assignments so that they become strong members of their orchestra classes. The mentor learns to be a stronger player because they have a much deeper theoretical understanding of music composition and they realize the responsibility of being a good role model to others.
A weekly thirty minute lesson with a string mentor is $50.00 for a quarter, which consists of a minimum of nine lessons in a three month period. YOA has a scholarship program available to ease the cost of mentor private lessons.
YOA believes that participation in string music ensembles, whether it is for the audience or the musician, is highly important to enhancing the quality of life in our community. All of the programs that YOA supports portray quality education that strives for excellence. OPERATION SMILE is one of the best ways to exemplify our mission statement. To locate a mentor for lessons or to become a mentor, call Kathy Younker at (928) 314 – 0735.