Inner city youth playing classical music on the recorder

How did that happen? It was an idea hatched by Founder of YARD Empire, Iris “Terri” Salmon. Terri Salmon has been using her non government charitable organization to use the arts to effect a positive change in the lives of at risk youth.

The vision to help boys in particular to broaden their horizons took hold five years ago and she began exposing wards of the state to training in the performing arts as a rehabilitative tool. In the past two years, the programme has shifted to community outreach, in particular downtown Kingston.
Terri became aware of the highly regarded international examinations hosted by the Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music and took the bold decision that she would have her YARD Empire youth sit the Level 3 exam on the Recorder.

It was not an easy task, the selected children had no prior training in the recorder and were part of the beginners music class. Additionally, they had to make time to practice even while dealing with the dislocation of COVID. Challenges of gathering limits, lock down days, and an upsurge of violence in their neighbourhood added an extra layer of difficulty.

The initial number of participants selected dwindled but Terri was not deterred, she saw promise in her Youth and worked earnestly with their tutors until they were ready for the exam.

The two remaining boys – Anniko Campbell and Shomani Harley performed via video recording, three selections from the ABRSM syllabus and an approved “own choice” in January of this year. The entries were uploaded to the ABRSM website and then came the waiting period.

Terri kept building on this momentum and entered her Youth in the JCDC Performing Arts competition. Results have been announced YARD Empire Youth scored bronze in JCDC for Drumming and Recorder. Terri is thrilled to announce that Shomani and Anniko were successfull in their ABRSM entry earning Merits for their performance.

YARD EMPIRE has seen through this intervention the remarkable effect that can be had from investing time and energy in our youth. The performing and visual arts are a valuable tool in effecting behaviour change. YE Youth have shown improved self confidence and are more empowered and engaged in their school work.

Terri is pressing forward, ready to prepare a new cohort of youth to reach for the stars and claim their destiny.