About Us
Our Story
SAYExxi, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the parent organization of the San Antonio Youth Academy of Music (SAYAoM).
Founded in 2026, SAYExxi carries forward the legacy of the award-winning San Antonio Youth Ensemble (SAYE). The original group was established in 1996 by Jerome Roberson, a U.S. Army veteran and Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer. Over a five-year run, SAYE brought together approximately 800 young singers, known for energetic, spirited performances at HBCUs, conventions, and churches across the country, delighting audiences and dignitaries alike.
That legacy is the foundation SAYExxi was built to carry forward. Nearly three decades after SAYE's original run, SAYExxi was established to bring that same spirit of youth performance and community impact back to San Antonio — this time expanded to include not only music, but dance and technology as well.
SAYAoM builds on that legacy with a 75-voice choir, a modern dance troupe, and a school of music technology, serving talented youth ages 12–22 from across San Antonio. Students receive structured training and performance opportunities across all three disciplines, preparing them to excel as artists while applying their talents in service to their community.
Many of our staff, directors, and instructors are former SAYE members, ensuring that the spirit of the original ensemble continues to shape the next generation of San Antonio's youth. Their presence bridges SAYE's history with SAYAoM's future, carrying forward decades of experience and a lasting commitment to San Antonio's young people.
Our Mission
At SAYExxi, our mission is to provide San Antonio's youth with opportunities to excel in the musical, dance, and technology arts. Through performance and community service, we help young people discover the gifts within themselves and use them to improve the world around them.
Our Vision
SAYExxi envisions San Antonio filled with young people who carry both a love for the creative arts and a heart for their communities — where the soul of their song is measured by the substance of their service.