Partnerships

YOA is a central partner in ongoing initiatives with exceptional academic institutions and organizations dedicated to furthering the mission of the orchestra.

 

Harvard University Graduate School of Design


Since 2010 YOA Orchestra of the Americas and the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, under the leadership of Architect Toshiko Mori, have worked on the development of a Portable Acoustic Concert Structure. Following extensive research by Harvard Graduate students, together with the input of YOA, preliminary on-site testing of the Portable Concert Structure is being planned for 2013. This project has been presented and well received at global conferences including the 2011 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Aldebrugh World Orchestra

Bridging the gap between conservatoires and professional life, the Britten–Pears Young Artist Programme offers unique development and performance opportunities in the inspiring setting of the east coast of England. By forming an integral part of the international Aldeburgh Festival and a year-round programme of concerts and events, the Britten–Pears Young Artist Programme has launched many international artists' careers. Each year groups of YOA musicians and alumni are selected to represent the orchestra within the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme.

Esperanza Azteca

Esperaza Azteca is a network of orchestras and choirs involving more than 5,000 at-risk children and youth across Mexico. Beginning in 2012,musicians, alumni, and faculty of YOA Orchestra of the Americas will support the project through ongoing 10-day teaching excursions. The most significant initiative of its kind in Mexican history, Esperanza Azteca is supported by Grupo Salinas through Fundación Azteca, the Secretaría de Educación Pública de México, and 23 State Governments of Mexico.

Filarmónica Joven de Colombia


To promote culture and support artistic and social development in Colombia, Fundación Bolivar Davivienda created the Youth Philharmonic of Colombia - Filarmónica Joven de Colombia (FJC) in 2010 in partnership with Fundación Nacional Batuta and YOA Orchestra of the Americas. Inspired by the model of YOA, each year 100 Colombian musicians between the ages of 16 and 24 apply to become members of FJC and are mentored by a renowned international faculty. FJC is an unprecedented social initiative within Colombia and has quickly become a national cultural symbol of Colombia around the world.


Joven Filarmónica de la República Dominicana

YOA Orchestra of the Americas is co-founder and a principal partner of Joven Filarmónica de la Republica Dominicana, a project led by Fundación Sinfonía. This orchestra holds annual auditions to select the most talented and deserving musicians from across the Dominican Republic, ages 15 to 30. The orchestra provides participants access on full scholarship to intensive training residences and professional concert experience working with musicians, coaches, conductors, and soloists of the highest caliber. Rotating project faculty includes positions reserved for YOA alumni.

OSM Standard Life Competition


L'orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) and YOA Orchestra of the Americas partnered in 2011 to promote the most talented Canadian artists. Through this partnership the Gold Medalist of the OSM Standard Life Competition is annually invited to perform in concert with YOA Orchestra of the Americas in a different part of the Western Hemisphere. Since its inception in 1940, the OSM Standard Life Competition has served as a springboard for the careers of close to 300 prize-winners, including André Laplante, Angela Hewitt, Louis Lortie, Angela Cheng, Lyne Fortin, Angèle Dubeau, Jean-François Rivest, James Ehnes, Alexandre da Costa, Jan Lisiecki and a number of OSM musicians, among them concertmaster Andrew Wan. 

OASIS

The Organization of American States' Orchestra Program in the Caribbean (OASIS) contributes through musical study to the reduction of risk factors that result in violent behavior among youths. The program redirects children and youths’ spare time to an activity that takes advantage of their inherent strengths and talents via a systematic orchestral and choral training program five days a week, two hours a day. Beginning in 2010, musicians and alumni from YOA Orchestra of the Americas, together with colleagues from Batuta (Colombia) and El Sistema (Venezuela), have helped to establish and guide OASIS training programs in Haiti, Saint Lucia, and Jamaica.

NEOJIBA

The Nuclei of Youth and Children’s Orchestras of the State of Bahia (Neojibá) is an unprecedented initiative in Brazil of government policy aimed at integrating children and young people irrespective of social class by training them in orchestral and choral music making up to the highest possible standard. Neojibá fosters social integration by avoiding the conservation of the characteristic ghettos of low income areas, encouraging interaction between children and youth from all sections of society. Since 2008 musicians, alumni, and faculty from YOA Orchestra of the Americas have served as coaches at Neojibá and contributed to the development of the program. Beginning in 2008, Musicians from NEOJIBA have also been included in every major tour.

Sphinx

The Annual Sphinx Competition gives Black and Latino classical string players a chance to compete, work with an internationally renowned panel of judges and to perform with professional musicians. Prizes include over $100,000 in scholarships and cash prizes, as well as solo performances with major orchestras across the United States. Each year a finalist of the Sphinx Competition is selected to take part in YOA Orchestra of the Americas. Many of the past laureates have gone on to either study at very prestigious schools or began careers in solo or orchestra playing. Notable judges include Anthony Elliot, Sanford Allen, Atar Arad, Paul Katz, and Kim Kaskashian.

Traveling Notes

Traveling Notes specializes in the creation of unique learning and performance opportunities for young classical musicians from all over the world.  Its international festivals, which take place in a different country every year, combine high-quality music education with cultural awareness, cross-border relationship building and social outreach. Annually YOA sends distinguished alumni from the Orchestra to serve as part of the faculty of Traveling Notes. Recent projects have taken place in the countries of Armenia, Georgia, Colombia, Peru, and other locations.