A Bit About Us
The History of FAYM
Between 2000 and 2008, there was a small homeschool band in Fredericksburg, led by Eunice Richardson. Over the years, locations changed, and enrollment went up and down. By 2008, Eunice was ready to retire and the band was passed on to Amy Shirk.
Amy took the current band of about 30 students and added a new beginning band, a guitar class, and a piano class, under the name Fredericksburg Area Homeschooled Musicians. There were several requests for an orchestra, so a small beginning orchestra was also introduced.
Over the next four semesters, enrollment skyrocketed from 30 to 60, then to 100, and eventually to 150, as more homeschoolers heard about the group, and more classes were added. The name of the group was changed to Fredericksburg Area Young Musicians (FAYM) at the start of the 2nd year, 2009. More classes were added, including Recorder, Music Theory and a general music class for young students. Enrollment continued to climb.
COVID forced FAYM to go online for almost two years. We are now back in person, and excited to see all of our students making music together again!
FAYM currently enrolls about 275 students per semester, with a staff of 7 teachers. The Fall 2024 semester will include about 35 classes offered to students between the ages of 6 to 18.
FAYM Teachers
Amy Shirk
Director, Band, Orchestra, AP Theory, Conducting, Music History
Amy graduated from Ithaca College with a B.S. degree in Music Education. She taught at the Mohawk Valley School of Music in Utica, NY for four years before moving to Spotsylvania, VA. She has 30 years experience teaching both privately and in various schools in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford, including Holy Cross Academy and Lafayette Upper Elementary School. Currently, Amy runs a large private studio in Spotsylvania, teaching piano, organ, saxophone, flute, clarinet, and is certified in the Suzuki method. She recently completed the Literary Braille Transcribing course offered through the Library of Congress to become a certified Braille Transcriber, and also has experience with the Music Braille code. Amy also serves as the organist at The Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg. Her two sons, Brendan (24) and Aaron (22) were homeschooled from birth through high school, and are FAYM alumni.
Location
New Life In Christ Church
All FAYM classes are held at New Life in Christ Church, behind the Spotsylvania Mall.
There is ample parking and family conveniences, such as nearby shopping and restaurants.
Please DO NOT send any FAYM correspondence to New Life Church! We rent their facilities.
They are a church and are not responsible for our mail.
The physical address for FAYM classes is 11925 Burgess Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22407.
This is NOT the mailing address for FAYM!
Email: FAYMdirector@gmail.com
Phone: 540-846-8436
Mail: 7931 Lake Anna Parkway, Spotsylvania, VA 22551
DO NOT MAIL CORRESPONDENCE TO NEW LIFE CHURCH, PLEASE!