Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA)

ICYOLA Orchestra programs. ICYOLA began in 2009 as a traning orchestra of nine African-American high school instrumentalists who sought opportunities to refine their skills, develop ensembles performance technigue and learn repertoire. It now servies approx. 250 musicians from beginners to seasoned professionals of which about 60% African-American, 30% are Latino, and 10% are of other ethniclties. venues in LA county. Most are at local churchs. The season finale is presented at the Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles and is our only significant fundraiser.

ICYOLA is the lead partner in the LA Orchestra fellowship. THisis a program that is designed to prepare emerging professional musicians from historically underrepresented communities to take and win auditions in American orchestras We operate this program in coliaboation with LA Chanmber orchetra and the Thorntion School of Music at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California

The ICYOLA Academy is an intensive daily two-four hour after school program that is presented on the campuses of LA Unified Elementry School and other charter schools, and through a series of half-day workshops that operate during the winter, spring, and summer breaks at Knox Presbyterian Church and Holman United Methodist Church. The Academy has two components (1) participants are taught to play an instrument and are encouraged to develop sufficient proficiency so tht they can become a part to the ICYOLA Orchestra, and (2)engage in rigorous literacy enrichments programs that enhance reading, comprehension, listing and speaking skills