Young Audiences, a nonprofit organization founded in 1968, provides live arts education to youth in grades K­12 and community sites in Santa Clara County through music, dance, theater, storytelling, poetry, photography and visual arts. The programs come at a time when arts education is in danger of being cut by the state due to budget constraints. Young Audiences programs also tie into school curriculum and California state content standards.

A Young Audiences performance in February at the middle school called From Colonies to Country was performed by a duo from Live-Oakes Education Theater. Renee and Michael Oakes, a husband-and-wife team, brought the audience of about 130 students a play about the founding of the United States, from Christopher Columbus through the U.S. Constitution. The play that traveled through time was in the form of words and songs of Native Americans, slaves, settlers, soldiers, politicians and patriots. The fifth-grade audience was studying American history, so the historically accurate performance related to what the students were learning in their classes.

The onstage show had a backstage feel, allowing students to watch the professional actors changing costumes between scenes. The couple engaged the audience, singing colonial songs and dancing, as the students learned about the English settlement of the New World.

"We really believe that arts education is a part of educating the whole person," said Christina Goodney, Young Audiences executive director.

Goodney explained that the majority of Young Audiences funding comes from generous donations from the community and corporations. Schools only pay about 30 percent of the costs of a production. The middle school's parent-teacher association and parent donations made the performance possible.

"It's fast paced, with lots of things going on, which is what 10-year-olds need," said Ron Bahlman, a Rolling Hills teacher who covers everything from the first explorers to colonial times through the Civil War. "It ties in exactly with what we are learning."

Fifth-grader Kylie Brown, 10, said she was familiar with songs such as "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean." Even though props and artifacts used during the show were fun, the music was her favorite part.

Brayden and Rex said they were learning in class about Native Americans, slavery and explorers like Hernando Cortez. But the best part of the show—much more interesting than the Declaration of Independence or Emancipation Proclamation—was the colonial music, for these two little drummers without drums.

For more information about Young Audiences of San Jose & Silicon Valley, visit www.yasjsv.org.