ABOUT
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.
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Supporting our Ragtime Youth
As West Coast's youth coordinator, I am feeling absolutely jubilant about the future of ragtime as kids who are playing their ragtime hearts out are showing up at festivals and joining us on the Spotlighting Youth Ragtime virtual concerts each year. 2024 marks the 4th year in a row.
Even though lots of help is provided by others, there are technical costs for taking these videos and turning them into first class programs.
The West Coast Ragtime Society's 2024 festival will have 4 youth Performers –– Isaiah Burton, Max Libertor, Lily Tao, and Tadao Tomokiyo.
Although the youth performers are not paid, they do get complimentary rooms for the festival for the days they will be staying. This adds up. Some, living afar, also get some help with transportation costs, which also adds to the expenses.
As you can see, between our Spotlighting concerts and the festival, we seem to always be needing a little help with expenses. Any amount is welcome and it's easy to do by donating right online!
There are other ways to help our ragtime playing youth, too. They all need performance experience and one of the best ways to get that is to invite them to play for senior lunch programs and senior living centers where you might live or frequent. Many are high school age and might need service hours for graduation. What a wonderful opportunity for them to get these hours by sharing their musical talent with their communities.
If you know of a child who loves ragtime, plays it and would like to join this happy world, please let me know. I can reach out.
Thanks for making my job as West Coast's Youth Coordinator so easy and joyful. I love the ride.
~Chris Bradshaw, Youth Coordinator
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