Octavius Womack, better known to the students and musicians he works with as "O", has a story to tell about how music has changed his life. And "O" helped bring his story and his love of music to students in the fourth grade through twelfth grades at American Leadership Academy.

Womack is a member of The Young Americans, a group of talented young adults who are trained performers, teachers and strong music advocates who help to bring the joy of singing, dancing and performing to students around the world.

The group conducts a three-day music theater workshop full of music, dance and theater that concludes with a spectacular show involving both the students and members of The Young Americans. Womack was impacted by this group back in 2003.

A member of a gang, attending college in Tennessee and playing football, Womack never thought he would be a singer. But when The Young Americans came to his college and conducted a 3-day music theater workshop, Womack was required to attend.

The Young Americans are part of Music Matters whose main goal is to keep music education in school and bring young students together through music and arts.

"My choir class sponsored the workshop and I had to attend," said Womack. "I decided I would audition and I was chosen and went right to California to start school and begin working with the program."

Once Womack was chosen he moved to Corona, California where he attended The Young Americans College where he took a variety of courses from singing, dancing and acting to psychology, sound and stage-crafting.

From there, Womack has traveled all around the world sharing his love of music with others in theater workshops, performances and other opportunities for the past five years. "If I didn't have this opportunity, I wouldn't be who I am today," said Womack. "It has opened so many doors to me and helped me to think outside the box as I have been placed in a variety of different environments."

Womack along with twenty plus other performers gathered at the American Leadership Academy on Monday, October 26, and Tuesday, October 27, to teach students there a variety of songs and dances which will culminate in a final production on Tuesday evening.

The students worked with The Young Americans from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. There is a four year waiting list to have the performers come to schools with their workshop. "Students are encouraged to sing and dance for us," said Womack.

"From there we pick who would fit which part best to perform the solos and then The Young Americans help support them." The current tour is part of the 2009 Fall International Music Outreach Tour which will stop in 21 cities, Spanish Fork and Brigham City being two of them as well as touring internationally in Russia, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands and Gibraltar.

The Young Americans were founded in 1962 by successful Hollywood music composer and arranger Milton C. Anderson. They have performed for Presidents and heads of state, won an Academy Award (Oscar), been on national TV and appeared live before a worldwide audience of millions.

"I enjoy this program so much," said Womack. "The best thing overall is working with the kids and seeing how much they change from the first day till the final production. That is definitely a highlight for me."

The final production will be held on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the American Leadership Academy. Tickets are $5 for children and $8 for adults.

Money from the event returns to the schools music program. The Young Americans are part of Music Matters whose main goal is to keep music education in school and bring young students together through music and arts.