About the 2026 YOLA National Festival

The 2026 YOLA National Festival will feature two programs consisting of the Symphony Orchestra Program for musicians ages 14–18 and the Overture Chamber Music Program* for musicians ages 12–14.

*Update for 2026: In 2026, the Overture experience will solely focus on chamber music, featuring programming for each instrument family as well as large ensemble repertoire. This program will provide young musicians with opportunities to develop their ensemble skills and deepen their musical collaboration outside of our Orchestra offerings.

YOLA National Festival Dates: August 3–11, 2026

Symphony Orchestra: Ages 14–18
Overture Chamber Music Program: Ages 12–14

Eligibility Requirements

Musicians applying for the YOLA National Festival must meet program and age requirements.

• All applicants must be enrolled in an El Sistema-inspired program or a program that is similarly invested in youth development practices. The YOLA National Team recognizes that each program operates differently and aims to admit programs that meet our basic tenants.

• All previously evaluated programs are listed in the drop-down menu in the application. If you do not see your program listed, please reach out to YOLANationalTeam@laphil.org to request a formal program evaluation.  

• For full details about program eligibility, please download our Eligibility PDF.

• In-school programs are typically ineligible. However, please submit a request for a formal evaluation.

Apply Now

Final Application Deadline: March 9, 2026 at 11:59PM PST

Faculty from 2025:

Conductors

Gustavo Dudamel
Music & Artistic Director, Los Angeles Philharmonic 

Jessica Rivero Altarriba
Conductor, Symphony Orchestra

Kalena Bovell
Conductor, Overture Orchestra

Flute

Hilary Jones, Wichita State University, Assistant Professor of Flute; Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Principal Flute

Meghan Bennett, New York University, Music Assistant Professor of Flute and Director of Woodwind Studies

Oboe 

Geoffrey Johnson, Western Michigan University, Adjunct Oboe Professor

Andrés Mendoza, Weimar University, Music Faculty

Clarinet 

Stephanie Zelnick, University of Kansas 

Saerom Kim, Principal Clarinet at Norwalk Symphony Orchestra

Bassoon

Marissa Olegario, University of Arizona, Assistant Professor of Bassoon

Kai Rocke, Oregon Symphony, Bassoonist

French Horn 

Elizabeth Linares Montero, Sonarsix Sextet; YOLA at Torres, Teaching Artist 

Melia Badalian, Long Beach Symphony, Modesto Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, Symphony San Jose, and the Stockton Symphony

Trumpet 

Luis Cardenas Casillas, Dallas Brass Chamber Ensemble, Trumpetist

JoAnn Lamolino, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Associate Principal/Second Trumpet; University of Hawaii, Lecturer in Trumpet

Trombone 

Burt Mason, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Associate Musician; Chamber Orchestra of New York, Principal Trombone; Broadway’s Camelot, Principal Trombone

John Hart, Keene State College, Assistant Professor of Music

Tuba 

Jazzie Pigott, Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins, Tuba

Dan Trahey, Founder and Director, Tuned In @ The Peabody Institute. Faculty, Academy for Impact Through Music. Director of Youth Ambassadors, El Sistema USA. Tuba, The Archipelago Project

Percussion 

Ruben Hernandez, San Diego Youth Symphony, OPUS, Teaching Artist

Megumi Smith, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Music Faculty; Santa Monica College, Percussion Ensemble Director; YOLA at HOLA, Teaching Artist

Violin 

Mariesther Alvarez, Boston String Academy, Director, Violin Faculty

Mellasenah Edwards, Baltimore School for the Arts, Music Department Head

Benjamin Hoffman, Bowling Green State University, Professor of Violin; Brightfeather, Founding Member; Webern Quartet, Founding Member

Francisco Diaz, Sunstate Orchestral Program-El Sistema, Director

Lauren Rausch, San Diego Youth Symphony, Program Manager; San Diego State University Community Music School, Violin Faculty Member 

Tiffany Rice, The Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, Middle School Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Global Education Practitioner

Viola 

Robin Fay Massie, Musicians of Mercy (MOM), Executive Director

Daniel Jacobs, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra’s Play Us Forward (PUF), Lead Instructor

Cello 

Terrence Thornhill, Paterson Music Project, NJ, Teaching Artist; Northern New Jersey Youth Orchestra, Assistant Conductor

Denielle Wilson, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Cello

Bass 

David Connor, Houston Ballet Orchestra, Assistant Principal Double Bass

Chantal Incandela, Freelance musician/teaching artist, non-profit administrator