Local students will soon have the opportunity to experience the thrill of performing onstage alongside talented music and dance professionals, without leaving their home.

The Dowagiac school district will once again host the international musical education program, The Young Americans, with performers from the group taking up residency in the district from Nov. 14-16. Dowagiac Choir Director Jeff Robinson made the announcement of the organization’s fall tour of the district to the members of the Dowagiac Union Schools Board of Education during its meeting Monday at Dowagiac Middle School.

Dowagiac students in third through 12th grade will have a chance to sign up for a performance alongside the members of the Young Americans. Students participating in the program will spend several days rehearsing with the performers, culminating in a music and dance show that will take place at the middle school performing arts center Tuesday, Nov. 16.

“It is one of the most transformative experiences for students to take part in, more so than I could even have imagined,” Robinson said.

Fall’s visit will mark the fourth time that performers with The Young Americans have worked with Dowagiac students, with their last stop coming in the fall of 2013, Robinson said.

With one of his goals as a music educator to help his students experience what music can do for someone’s life outside the classroom, Robinson said The Young Americans group gives local students a taste of what it is like to perform in front of large crowds and express themselves through song.

“We have children from our school district who have been touched in a way that has inspired them to go out to California [to train with them],” he said.

Among the Chieftains who went on to join the Young Americans include Bill Davis, who is currently working as stage manager for a production in Japan, and Logan Warsko, who is still currently touring with the program, Robinson said.

The choir director said he is looking for around 300 students to sign up for this year’s performance — which, given the popularity among students in prior years, should not be a difficult figure to reach.

Participants will join members of the crew during an initial meeting at the performing arts center at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. After that, they will spend the entire school day working with the group Monday, with an afternoon rehearsal the following day leading up to that night’s show.

The cost for students to sign up is $59, which includes a T-shirt, Robinson said. However, companies and individuals will have a chance to sponsor students who cannot afford to participate, the director said.

“If money is the excuse, it is no excuse — at least not in my program,” Robinson said. “We know enough people in this area who know how important music is to our lives, and the arts have absolutely been blessed in this community. There is no child who wants to go who cannot, at least if I have a say in it.”