EDITORIAL
The Power of Youth Voice

 
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EDITORIAL
The Power of Youth Voice

Ayde Diaz, El Sistema USA 2025 Youth Ambassador; YOLA Torres Student

11-05-2025

An instructor once told me, “When we listen to our students, we remember why we’re here. Their perspective makes us better.” That was the moment I realized our learning experiences aren’t a one-way street. In programs that truly value our voices, the impact extends far beyond the classroom. It reaches families, neighborhoods, and entire communities.

At YOLA Torres, where I’ve been for almost ten years, I’ve seen what happens when young voices are respected. Kids show up with all kinds of backgrounds—some pretty tough—looking stressed and unsure, and then walk out smiling and standing tall. Music ties it all together, but the ultimate influence is their environment, a space where they feel heard. I’ll never forget one girl who arrived so shy she barely spoke above a whisper. A year later, she was leading sectional rehearsals and giving cues to her peers with confidence I didn’t know she had. That didn’t happen because someone forced her to change. It happened because her voice mattered, and she began to believe that it did.

Ayde Diaz. Photo: El Sistema USA.

And that story isn’t unique. When I served as an El Sistema USA Youth Ambassador at their East Coast Regional Gathering in Baltimore, I saw that young people everywhere are eager to engage, if adults allow them. I remember sitting in a circle with directors, teachers, and students, realizing my words had weight. I wasn’t just a “youth rep” offering a few nice comments at the start and then getting overlooked; adults were truly engaged, asking questions, and jotting things down. Even more powerful was hearing the other Ambassadors speak. One Ambassador talked about how music gave him a reason to keep showing up, and the room went silent because his truth hit harder than any policy ever could. That day shifted everything for me. I realized our ideas aren’t background noise—they’re the heartbeat that makes these programs work. We don’t simply fit into programs that are “for us”; we help shape them. And that’s not just nice; it’s necessary.

Something often gets lost in discussions about “Youth Voice”: it comes as much from listening to our peers as it does from leading them. I’ve seen it when one student teaches another a tricky rhythm, or when someone notices a classmate struggling and sits beside them to help. Those moments matter. They build trust and confidence, reminding us that we’re not alone and that leadership doesn’t always come from the front of the room.

The best thing an adult can do is to provide support without taking over—to make space rather than control the space. Sometimes that means stepping back, observing, and being transparent. Because, honestly, adults love to sugarcoat things for kids; it’s like a universal habit. But you know what’s better than pretending everything’s fine? Telling the truth. If adults let us in on what’s actually happening—even the hard stuff—it’s huge. It’s how real partnerships happen. Trust is contagious. It fuels our growth. And it ripples far beyond the classroom.

I’ve seen it so many times. I remember one rehearsal when a few of us stayed late, discussing what it meant to be seen not as “kids” but as artists. That conversation sparked the idea of an entirely youth-led performance, which our director supported. The pride we felt from that concert was real.  I remember another performance, where a student’s mother who worked long hours finally had made it to hear her son play for the first time. A section leader, he played his solos with tears in his eyes; afterward, she hugged him and told him she was proud. He started crying because he had been trying so hard to connect with her and make her proud. She heard him that day—not just the music, but the person behind it. That’s what our voices can do: they strengthen families and communities. 

Here’s my message to youth and programs everywhere: Don’t treat our voices as decoration. “Youth Voice” isn’t a buzzword; it’s what makes programs thrive. We aren’t just “future leaders” or some slogan on a brochure; we’re leaders right now. We bring energy, honesty, and new ideas that can break old barriers.

I’m proud to represent both YOLA Torres and the 2025 Youth Ambassadors because I know the magic here isn’t the music, it’s the people: teachers who listen, directors who care, and students who encourage everyone to improve. When we’re given that chance, we don’t just grow ourselves. We lift everyone with us.

Arts Advocacy, arts and social change, Ayde Diaz, Baltimore Regional Gathering, Collaborative Learning, community impact, El Sistema USA, Empowerment Through Listening, Inclusive Learning, Leadership Through Music, Mentorship, Music and Community, Music Education, Music For Growth, November 2025, Student Agency, Student Empowerment, student-centered learning, Transformative Education, Trust And Partnership, YOLA Torres, Youth Ambassador Program, Youth Empowerment Through The Arts, Youth Engagement, Youth Leadership, Youth Voice

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