Eight-year-olds Gabrielle Wood and Gillian Preuss have big plans for the future. And while they don’t agree on what they want to be when they grow up (Wood wants to be a singer and Preuss a cowgirl), they do agree on one thing. After watching their older sisters participate in the Young Americans workshop, they can’t wait until they’re old enough to do it themselves.
The workshop was held at the beginning of last week and culminated in a show on Tuesday evening that filled the CERC Building’s gym with a sold-out crowd.
According to Lisa Jander, who along with help from Karen Appledorn organized the Young Americans coming to Lake Orion, 197 students participated in the workshop, which included classes and training in singing, dancing, theatre and more.
With that training, the students then presented a multi-act performance where they sang and danced to a variety of songs along side the cast of the Young Americans.
Jander believes that for some students, it will be a life-changing event.
‘I have yet to be successful in describing the life changing experience the Young Americans bring,? she said, noting that she is grateful for all of the school administration that was able to attend the performance and see for themselves what wonderful things the Young Americans can help students accomplish in the arts.
The workshop came on the cusp of a difficult time in Lake Orion with the passing of two Lake Orion High School students, brothers Tim and Josh Schrauger.
‘Emotions were raw,? Jander said. ‘The Young Americans brought focus, purpose, love, kindness, compassion and much needed joy to 197 kids in this community.?
She added that the group abandoned their normal schedule to take high school students through a dance expression called ‘Nubia.?
The Young Americans used this exercise several months ago when they suffered a loss in their cast.
‘I cannot describe the emotion and healing our kids experienced from these complete strangers through this exercise,? Jander said. ‘The Young Americans came to our community with open arms and servants? hearts. They touched our community in the deepest way and we are so grateful.?
As the event was so well-received, Jander hopes to bring the Young Americans back to the community again soon.
‘Getting on the tour schedule as soon as possible is my number one goal,? she said, but adding that they usually make the trip every three years, so it’s a matter of seeing when it fits into the Young Americans? schedule.
For more information about the group, visit www.youngamericans.org.