Over 800 Students and Faculty Inspired by the Young Americans on the TOMODACHI Goldman Sachs Music Outreach Program

From September 19 to November 15, 2017, with support from Goldman Sachs Gives, 38 cast members from the American nonprofit organization Young Americans visited public elementary and junior high schools in the Tohoku region of Iwate and Fukushima prefectures for the TOMODACHI Goldman Sachs Music Outreach Program.

Since 1992, the Young American members have conducted educational outreach workshops through music and dancing at schools and communities. The Young Americans visited schools and worked with elementary, junior high and high school students to create song and dance performances over two to three days. Participants learned to work together through the universal language of music, while respecting each other’s strengths and discovering their own potential. Through exchanges with the talented and energetic cast of the Young Americans, the students gained confidence and were inspired to learn about different languages ​​and cultures.

In 2017, this music outreach program was held at nine elementary and junior high schools, in which over 800 students and faculty members participated. Participating students made the following remarks after the program ended: “This experience gave me the dream of studying abroad, which I had never even thought about before.” One student said, “I want to study English more.” Another commented, “I gained confidence through the compliments I received from the Young Americans.”

The teachers also commented on the changes in the students: “I learned the importance of complimenting the students to encourage them to grow.” Another said, “I was impressed with how the children flourished and grew in such a short amount of time.”

The parents also made the following comments: “I was happy that I was able to see a new side of my child.” Another parent noted, “It made me realize, once again, how amazing children are.”