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The 25,000-square-foot Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen YOLA Center in Inglewood serves as the home of YOLA’s fifth site as well as providing a gathering place for students from existing and future YOLA sites. In addition to its youth programming, the Beckmen YOLA Center is a space for music educators from across the U.S. and around the world to collaborate and learn. It will be a cultural resource for the people of Inglewood, and act as the focal point of the LA Phil’s commitment to community engagement in the area. The project, which has emerged out of a close collaboration between of the City of Inglewood, architect Frank Gehry, and LA Phil Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, was made possible by a leadership gift from Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen.

101 South La Brea Avenue
Inglewood, California 90301

Come Make Music with Us!

Does your child live in Inglewood, and are they currently in grade 1-6? Is your child interested in learning an instrument in a supportive music community? Fill out our Enrollment Form to express interest.

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VIDEO: YOLA’s Next Step: The Beckmen YOLA Center

The Beckmen YOLA Center is:

  • The home for the new, fifth YOLA site: YOLA at Inglewood

  • The first permanent, purpose-built facility for YOLA

  • The home of YOLA National: bringing together leaders in the field of music and youth development, music students, professional musicians, and educators across the country every year

  • A space for rehearsal recording, distance learning, and performance space: students from all YOLA sites can play together in person and connect digitally through state-of-the-art distance learning technology and livestream capabilities

  • Is an international teaching center: hosting teacher training and convenings for music educators from around the world

  • Is a community space: The YOLA program is the first program to be launched at the Beckmen YOLA Center. During its first year of operation, we will also be engaging with various constituencies within the Inglewood community to plan our long-term vision for the Center as a creative laboratory, learning hub, community center, and a lively, welcoming place for all.

  • Is fully accessible to patrons in wheelchairs and is compliant with the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Click here for BYC's accessibility information.

About YOLA

Led by LA Phil Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) is the embodiment of Dudamel’s belief that music is a fundamental human right. It democratizes music education by offering free, high quality music training to students ages 5 to 18.

In just over a decade, YOLA has become one of the country’s most influential music education programs, currently operating at five YOLA sites in Los Angeles County and serving more close to 1,700 young musicians and their families.

YOLA provides free instruments; up to 18 hours a week of intensive after-school training and instruction; ensemble-based learning; life skills development in leadership, mentorship, and communication; academic tutoring and college prep; and parent and family engagement.

Through dedication and perseverance, YOLA students have earned unparalleled performance opportunities over the last decade performing in world class venues (e.g. Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show; Barbican Centre, London; Suntory Hall, Tokyo) with pop and classical music stars such as Chris Martin and Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Journey, Juanes, No Doubt, International Contemporary Ensemble and Sir Simon Rattle.

Gustavo Dudamel conducting YOLA students in East Los Angeles
Gustavo Dudamel conducting YOLA students at YOLA at Torres
YOLA with their families after the CDMX LA Phil 2019 Tour in Mexico City
YOLA in Mexico City during the CDMX LA Phil 2019 Tour

More Information

Contact us: YOLA@laphil.org

About the LA Phil: Redefining what an orchestra can be, the LA Phil is as vibrant as Los Angeles, one of the world's most open and dynamic cities. Led by Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, this internationally renowned orchestra harnesses the transformative power of music to build community, foster intellectual and artistic growth, and nurture the creative spirit.

LA Phil Learning: The LA Phil is committed to learning alongside our community, and to enabling and supporting the next generation of musicians, whether they’re picking up an instrument for the first time or penning their own compositions. See more all of our learning programs here