November 20, 2012 > Students help Dominican Sisters' Music Program Students help Dominican Sisters' Music Program Submitted By Krishnaswamy Narasimhan Youth Service Through Cultural Arts (YSTCA), http://www.ystca.org, is a group started by four-11th graders - Divya Mohan, Gopal Ravindran, Ashwin Srikant, and Vignesh Thyagarajan - to showcase and utilize the music and other cultural talents of Bay Area youths, for noble causes in the community. All from different high schools from around the Bay Area (Mission San Jose High and Irvington High in Fremont, Lynbrook High in San Jose and Cupertino High in Cupertino) and all advanced students of Indian Classical music, their passion for music brought them together to organize an all-day music and dance event, Saturday, December 8, to raise funds for the music programs offered by the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose (DSMSJ). Established in 2006, the Dominican Schools Music Project brings music instruction to 1,700 students in six Bay Area schools, affiliated with the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. Of these six schools, three serve predominately low income families. Through partnerships with each school, they provide every child with twice weekly, year-long, sequential and comprehensive music instruction, opportunities to study vocal and instrumental music in on-site after school programs, professional concerts, school and community performances, and summer camp opportunities. The music program was started with funding from May and Stanley Smith Foundation. But the initial funding is decreasing, and schools cannot support the program on their budgets alone. YSTCA aims to a help the Dominican Sisters enhance musical activities and encourage young talents in classical Indian music and dance. This day-long program will feature classical music and dance programs by students from 15 Bay area schools. Guest of honor will be Fremont Vice-Mayor, Ms. Anu Natarajan. Benefit for Dominican Sisters' Music Program Saturday, Dec 8 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 43326 Mission Blvd., Fremont (in Chapel Auditorium) http://www.ystca.org Event is free of charge, but donations are greatly appreciated.