My name is Yanci Bonilla. In 2012, I joined ACAM and had the opportunity of receiving lessons on violin, guitar, piano, and choir. I also received brief exposure to drums, recorder, theatre, and dance. 

My studies at Magnolia Avenue Elementary School and ACAM helped me gain knowledge that has helped me throughout the 10 years I have participated in many church choirs. They helped me prepare for the Herbert Zipper Scholarship at the Colburn School. Because of my instructors and mentors, I was able to win the scholarship and attend Colburn for six years. 

I remained a student at ACAM for many years. Not only did I gain so much knowledge and skills as a musician, but I was able to create so many friendships with the other students there. It is a blessing that now, as an adult, I have the opportunity to go back to ACAM, not as a student, but as a volunteer, and mentor. This opportunity has helped me with skills I now need as an adult such as creativity and leadership, responsibility, productivity and organization, communication. I have had the opportunity to substitute as a violin teaching artist … an honor for me to be trusted with such an important task, that of teaching these young minds what I have learned during this past decade.

ACAM is not only a place for artistic education. It is a place where instructors enjoy teaching the students as much as they love learning from them. It is a second home, one where you get to spend your whole afternoon, after a long day at school, where you are able to have fun, be creative, and be yourself. 

The relationships I created, the knowledge I gained, all the memories, and all the opportunities that have been provided for me are utterly priceless.  

        (Yanci is a senior at Mount St. Mary's University)