YAM introduces children to the rich musical heritage of the Southern Appalachians. Founded in January 2008 by local educator Betty McDaniel, the program started with 32 students at Holly Springs Elementary in Pickens County, SC, teaching traditional music through traditional methods, by ear, on instruments like fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo.
To create meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to participate and perpetuate the old time music, bluegrass music and dance traditions of the Southern Appalachians.
Over 400 students from 3rd to 8th grade participate in after-school programs at 14 locations in Pickens County.
YAM Summer Camp provides a 14-year arts and music day camp, Evening Music Program runs in various locations with a new Liberty site from November 2024, and YAM After School offers affordable music lessons and instruments in Pickens County schools.
The POSAM Board, comprised of diverse experts, makes informed decisions for the YAM Program, prioritizing students' interests.
Chad Dalton (Board Chair); Russ Hennessee (Vice- Chair), Josh Johnson (Treasurer); Perry Gravely (Secretary); Betty McDaniel (Founder), Sondra Hennessee (Executive Director); Joseph Bowers; Kirby Colson; Dr. Charles Hood; Tim Johnson; Ed McDaniel; Brett Morris; and Leo Pearson.
Betty McDaniel – Founder and President, 864-230-9695, bmcdaniel@yamupstate.com
Pauline Blackston – Co-Director, pblackston@yamupstate.com
Sondra Hennessee – Director of Operations & Programs, sondra@yamupstate.com
Tiffany Short – Co-Director, tshort@yamupstate.com
Logan Redding – Coordinator of Special Projects and Grants, loganreddingsemail@gmail.com
Ambler Elementary
Thursday – Dr. Carlton Lewis (Principal), Janet Hardin (Director), jhardin745@bellsouth.net
Ben Hagood Elementary
Tuesday – Jessica Hendricks (Principal), Christine Esancy & Lacey Ellenburg (Co-Directors), ChristineEsancy@gmail.com, LaceyEllenburg99@gmail.com
Central Academy of the Arts
Monday – Britney Morgan (Principal), Kim Keasler (Director), KimKeasler@pickens.k12.sc.us
Clemson Elementary
Monday – David Thompson (Principal), Cullen Finley (Director),
CullenFinley@pickens.k12.sc.us
Crosswell Elementary
Wednesday – Andrew Shipman (Principal), Allison Gillespie (Director), AllisonGillespie@pickens.k12.sc.us
Dacusville Elementary
Wednesday – Travis Chapman (Principal), Cristy Flowers (Director), CristyFlowers@pickens.k12.sc.us
East End Elementary
Thursday – Chris Brewington (Principal), Jensen Thomassie (Director)
JensenThomassie@pickens.k12.sc.us
Forest Acres Elementary
Thursday – Andy Holliday (Principal), Brittney Roper (Director)
BrittneyRoper@pickens.k12.sc.us
Liberty Elementary
Friday – Lowell Haynes (Principal), Jared Roper (Director),
JaredRoper@pickens.k12.sc.us
McKissick Academy of Science and Technology
Thursday – Heather Touchberry (Principal), Megan Carrasco (Director), MeganCarrasco@pickens.k12.sc.us
Pickens Elementary
Tuesday & Wednesday (instrument dependent) – Shannon Lawton (Principal), Heather Hennessee (Director), HeatherHennessee@pickens.k12.sc.us
Pickens Middle School
Club Days – James King (Principal)
Project Go
Club Days – Tye Morgan (Director)
Six Mile Elementary
Monday – Melissa Terry (Principal), Lindsey Stone (Director), LindseyStone@pickens.k12.sc.us
Home-School Arts Academy
Rebecca Moore (Director), Alleluiadance@yahoo.com
Rick Baumgarner
Martin Beckman
Julie Brown
Jennifer Bryan
Elaine and Tom Cloer
Isaac Ferrell
Ryan Ferrell
Donna Harden
Karl Hill
Scot Hockman
John Howard
Christie Keller
Bob Lanford
Guy Latham
Greg Lucas
Jan Mackenzie
Becky Osteen
Dr. Joe Padgett
Donna Roper
Dave Snyder
Reid Toth
Beek Webb
Susan Ware-Snow
Terry York
*Mack Anderson: Banjo
*Wallace Anderson: Guitar
*Ozzie Carpenter: Mandolin, guitar
Ferris Chappell
Lily Chappell
*Elijah Ellenburg: Banjo, Guitar
*Malachi Ellenburg: Mandolin, Fiddle, Guitar
Janet Hardin: Dulcimer, Ukulele, Banjo
*Elene Holland: Fiddle
*Steve McGaha: Guitar, Mandolin
*Justin Medlin: Fiddle, Guitar
*Ava Meece
*Seth Pilgrim: Mandolin
*Jarah Roper: Fiddle, Mandolin
*Logan Redding: Banjo, Guitar
*Jared Roper: Banjo, Guitar
Cade Samples
*Judson Stone: Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo
Whitman Tetor, Banjo
*Herman Towles: Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar
Maddi White: Fiddle
*Alyssa White: Mandolin, Guitar
