Pickens County, SC is located in the upstate piedmont region, near Greenville. The highest point in the state is in Pickens County – Sassafras Mountain. It is also home to Table Rock State Park. With a history steeped in agriculture, the area has many bluegrass and country music traditions which students in the YAM programs are learning to carry on. There are several annual festivals celebrating Southern Appalachian Music.
Dacusville YAM is part of the Pickens County, SC YAM (Young Appalachian Musicians) initiative, supported by P.O.S.A.M, Inc (Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music, Inc.), Pickens County Schools, Pickens Recreation Department, Pickens Senior Citizens’ Center and the Hagood Mill Historial Society. This program offers guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin to 3rd-5th graders. The program is held Wednesday afternoons at Dacusville Elementary School for a 45-minute class right after school.
Enrichment: The YAM program holds two events for YAM students and the general public. Both of these events included Appalachian music and culture for students to explore. The Appalachian Folk Festival is held in the Fall and KidsFest at the Hagood Mill is held in the Spring. In addition, they host a Summer Camp for YAM students that teaches Appalachian Arts and culture as well as music.
Instructors:
Molly Johnson
Elijah Ellenburg
Malachi Ellenburg
Wallace Anderson
For more information about the YAM program at Dacusville, please contact:
Program Director: Cristy Flowers
Email: [email protected]
Location: Dacusville Elementary School
Address: 200 Cherokee Trail, Easley, SC 29640
Schedule: Mondays 3-5:30
Grades: 3 – 8
Young Appalachian Musicians website:
Sweet Potato Pie Kids is the performing band for YAM students.
Dacusville Elementary School Website.