Northwest Youth Music Association

Mission

Since 1966, providing youth with exceptional experiences in the performing arts.

The NYMA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the parent organization of The Seattle Cascades and has shaped tens of thousands of youth musicians and dancers as the Pacific Northwest’s oldest youth organization in the marching arts, representing the NW region throughout the country. The legacy of a non-profit youth group living for nearly 60 years is an amazing achievement!

But, after taking a few years off during the Covid global pandemic, we are working hard to restore our Northwestern U.S. legacy to the international musical arts community.

We are proud to represent our Pacific Northwest values on the international stage. Our members and their families demonstrate these values each and every day in their own lives and communities.  We do our best to actively encourage and support local music and arts education programs wherever we perform.

Lifetime Experience

Each summer, the students travel more than 13,000 miles across the United States, competing in some of the nation’s most iconic NFL and collegiate sporting venues including Sports Authority Stadium in Denver (CO), the Alamo Dome in San Antonio (TX), the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta (GA), and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (IN) and have the experience of all regions of American culture, it is a game-changer that influence them for the rest of their lives.

Drum corps helps young people acquire the positive life skills and values that will benefit them and their community throughout their lives. Our educational programs are designed to: 

• Enhance life skills to become outstanding members of the community
• Promote dedication, responsibility and teamwork even under challenging or adverse conditions
• Experience, develop and practice strong leadership skills
• Perform artistically at the highest possible level

Needs

This year’s total budget is $1M+ to support and keep the NW drum corps dream alive for students.

Although students of the program contribute a “tuition fee” to help defray these costs, in reality, these fees only cover 60% of the actual costs. The remaining required funds are raised by fundraising events and donations. This year, Northwest Youth Music Association needs to raise these additional funds:

Student Scholarships: $30,000

Talented and diverse young musicians and dancers whose socio-economic circumstances make it impossible for young people to raise a portion of their tour fees. NYMA maintains a much needed scholarship fund to assist students who need help by offering scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,500.

Mobile Kitchen and Meals: $20,000

This year’s food budget is $82,000 which is an increase of $20,000 from 2023. NYMA would like to raise $20,000 in food funds to offset in increase in food prices.

Our mobile kitchen volunteers prepare more than 60,000 individual meals each summer. The daily rehearsals and performances are demanding, requiring proper nutrition and healthy, balanced meals. Students and staff eat three meals and a snack each day.

As an example, a single breakfast can consist of:

• 40 dozen eggs
• 600 strips of bacon or sausages
• 25 packages of hash brown potatoes
• 200 pieces of fruit
• 10 loaves of bread
• 10 bags of cereal
• 15 gallons of milk

Health and wellness: $15,000

NYMA has enlisted health care professionals from varied disciplines to provide medical guidance and hands-on assistance to corps members during the DCI Summer Tour.

With an initial focus on injury prevention and treatment, participation in the project has grown from a handful of volunteer contributors to a network of practitioners throughout the United States. We strive to prevent injuries among participants in the marching arts.

To do so, Seattle Cascades needs funding for equipment and staff throughout the year. Health and Wellness staff are licensed in their respective fields (Nurse, Doctor, Psychologist, Athletic Trainer).

Thank you for your consideration, we look forward to serving Northwest youth for many more decades.