YOLA National Festival
July 28—August 13, 2025 • Empowering Youth and Building Community Through Musical Excellence
The YOLA National Festival is an intensive summer orchestra program dedicated to artistic development for young musicians from El Sistema-inspired and community-driven music programs across the United States. The festival’s purpose is to provide the highest caliber of orchestral training, artistry, and musical excellence through community.
Musicians will convene in Los Angeles for up to 14 days of learning with the festival’s amazing faculty, guest artists, and performances with world-renowned conductors. Participation is free—travel, lodging, meals, and programming are provided to musicians at no cost.
Apply for the 2025 YOLA National Festival
All applications are submitted through the Acceptd platform:
Priority deadline: MAR 3, 2025
Final deadline: MAR 10, 2025
Questions? YOLANationalTeam@laphil.org
About the 2025 YOLA National Festival
The 2025 YOLA National Festival will feature two separate sessions comprised of one Orchestra and one Chamber Music Program per ensemble level. This includes:
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Symphony Orchestra
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Symphony Chamber Music Program (an opportunity open to musicians aged 14-18 who successfully audition into this chamber program)
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Overture Orchestra
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Overture Chamber Music Program (an opportunity open to musicians aged 12-14 who successfully audition into this chamber program)
Week 1 will host Symphony Orchestra and the Overture Chamber Music Program.
Week 2 will host Overture Orchestra and the Symphony Chamber Music Program.
Please Note: Chamber Music Program musicians are required to participate in both program weeks. This will include one full week in Chamber Music and a second full week in their assigned full orchestra (Symphony or Overture).
Leadership support for the YOLA National Festival is generously provided by Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, The Eisner Foundation, and an anonymous donor.
We gratefully acknowledge the LA Phil's Learning Supporters who make programs like YOLA possible.
Session One: July 28–August 5
Symphony Orchestra
Overture Chamber Music Program
Session Two: August 5–13
Overture Orchestra
Symphony Chamber Music Program
Application Information & Timeline
Your application involves these core components:
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To begin: Create an account or log in to the Acceptd platform via the Apply Now link
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Fill out the application which includes parent/guardian information, educational, and musical background
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Upload your musical audition and personal statement videos based on the requirements for your desired ensembles*
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Submit a recommendation from a program manager or teacher
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Upload the required consent forms
*Instrument specific excerpts and details about the personal statement are available on our Audition Requirements page.
All applications are submitted through the Acceptd platform:
Priority deadline: MAR 3, 2025
Final deadline: MAR 10, 2025
Questions? YOLANationalTeam@laphil.org
Once you have created your login on our application platform Acceptd, we suggest you download the application checklist linked in the Application Materials list below, begin practicing your required excerpts, and be sure to get support from a teaching artist or program manager for your musical audition and your personal statement.
Application Timeline
November 22: Applications open
March 3: Priority application deadline
March 10: Final application deadline
March 14: Recommendation due
March 28: Notification distributed to applicants
July 28—August 13: YOLA National Festival
Eligibility Requirements
Musicians applying for the YOLA National Festival must meet the program and age requirements in order to participate. All applicants must be enrolled in an El Sistema-inspired program, or a program that is similarly invested in youth development practices. While each program operates differently, there are basic tenets which this Festival aims to support.
For full details about program eligibility, please download our Eligibility PDF.
Questions? Email YOLANationalTeam@laphil.org
Orchestra and Chamber Application Requirements
All applicants should only submit one application, with one set of materials. Excerpts for all application types can be found on our Audition Requirements page. Please note: All Chamber Music musicians will participate in the corresponding Orchestra program and are required to submit a complete application.
Symphony Orchestra
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Ages: 14-18 years old
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Applicants who are 14 years old and apply for Symphony Orchestra may be considered for the Overture Orchestra.
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We encourage 14-year-old musicians to submit to the ensemble that they feel best reflects their musical abilities.
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Acceptance to the Orchestra Program will solely be based on Orchestra application
Symphony Chamber Music Program NEW!
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Ages: 14-18 years old
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Applicants who choose to submit for Symphony Chamber Music Programs must also complete the application and excerpts for Symphony Orchestra along with the required supplemental materials. Symphony Chamber Music Program musicians will also participate in Symphony Orchestra.
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Musicians will only be considered for the Chamber Music Program that corresponds with the Orchestra applied for. (I.e. Only materials submitted for Symphony Chamber Music Program will be considered for acceptance into Symphony Chamber Music Program).
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Acceptance is based on musicians' application to both Orchestra and Chamber Music Program
Overture Orchestra
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Ages: 12-14 years old
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Musicians who are 14 years old can either apply for the Symphony Orchestra to be considered for both Overture and Symphony Orchestra or choose to apply only for the Overture Orchestra.
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We encourage 14-year-old musicians to submit to the ensemble that they feel best reflects their musical abilities.
-
Acceptance to Orchestra Program will solely be based on Orchestra application
Overture Chamber Music Program NEW!
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Ages: 12-14 years old
-
Applicants who choose to submit for Overture Chamber Music Programs must also complete the application and excerpts for Overture Orchestra along with the required supplemental materials. Overture Chamber Music Program musicians will also participate in Overture Orchestra.
-
We encourage 14-year-old musicians to submit to the ensemble that they feel best reflects their musical abilities.
-
Musicians will only be considered for the Chamber Music Program that corresponds with the Orchestra applied for. (I.e. Only materials submitted for Overture Chamber Music Program will be considered for acceptance into Overture Chamber Music Program).
-
Acceptance is based on musicians' application to both Orchestra and Chamber Music Program
Photo gallery of past YOLA National Festivals
Check out other YOLA National videos & hear from former students
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
Mariam Adam, Chineke Orchestra and Chamber Ensemble, Principal Clarinet; International Soloist and musician
Stephanie Zelnick, University of Kansas
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
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, Brightfeather, Founder; San Diego Symphony, Guest Violinist
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
Chris Jenkins, Oberlin Conservatory, Associate Dean and Liaison to the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Robin Fay Massie, Musicians of Mercy (MOM), Executive Director
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, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Press & Communications Manager
More about YOLA National
For a full list of FAQ’s, please see the FAQ document linked in the above Student Application Materials section. If you have any further questions, please email YOLANationalTeam@laphil.org.