The West Coast Youth Program has been very active since 2004. Fifteen yearly youth competitions were held to promote ragtime to our newest players. Remember that we had to train the teachers, too. Over the course of those years, 422 kids ages 8-18, participated in the competitions, many returning year after year. There were also 137 teachers involved and 276 different rags, including the arrangements, that were performed.
Several of our former competition winners now are headliners at various ragtime festivals.
At the festival there is always a well attended Youth Master Class and a Youth Concert. Usually there are three youth performers who present three sets each at each festival, gaining the performance experience they need.
When COVID hit and things closed down around us, we started a virtual showcase for youth ages 8-21 and this is now our third year of producing them. These programs. Spotlighting Ragtime Youth, can be found on YouTube. You may notice that you won't see even one adult in the mix. Of course, the credits will show that they are all hidden behind the scene.
One remarkable benefit from the virtual concerts is that we are getting kids from around the whole country. Our next goal is to expand that to getting some from around the world.
