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Open to select musicians from the 2022 YOLA National Symphony Orchestra, the YOLA National Institute (YNI) is an in-depth training program for young musicians interested in pursuing a career in the field of music.

Applications for the 2022 YOLA National Institute open in April 2022. Please note: all students must first apply for the 2022 YOLA National Symphony Orchestra.

Program Overview:

  • The Institute aims to supplement students’ musical experience at home and at the YOLA National Festival. All program expenses, including travel, room, and board, are free.

  • Selected fellows work together as a cohort over the course of the academic year, exploring various career pathways and supporting each other as they navigate the college application process, or their first year of college.

  • Musicians are introduced to a wide variety of artists over the course of the year, engage in their own creative projects, and work to better understand themselves and the practice they want to have in their creative futures.

  • The program offers mentorship, travel opportunities, and financial support for college applications.

  • YNI Fellows are leaders who think critically about the arts, and actively seek opportunities to question the role of music in society, and in their lives. 

COVID-19 Update

Please note, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that continues to affect life around the world, the health and safety of our young musicians are our highest priorities, and our COVID protocols are based on guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the LA County Department of Public Health (LADPH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Please note, travel and in-person activities for the 2022 YOLA National Institute program may be impacted by changes, orders or recommendations set forth by the CDPH, LADPH and/or the CDC due to the severity of COVID-19 and/or any surge in cases or new variants. Any changes to the Institute’s schedule will be communicated ahead of time to all participants. The LA Phil reserves all rights to make changes to the Institute’s schedule and programming, and COVID-19 protocols at any time.

Program Activities

  • Convenings: Monthly webinars and 2-4 in person convenings during the summer at the YOLA National Festival, and continuing during the 2022-2023 academic year 

  • Mentorship: Fellows will work with artist-mentors who are leaders in their fields 

  • Private instruction opportunities 

  • Chamber music coaching 

  • Financial support for college auditions, including travel, application support, and guidance

  • Tour and travel opportunities 

Eligibility

YNI aims to support young musicians from communities traditionally underrepresented in classical music. YNI fellows are leaders who think critically about the arts, and actively seek opportunities to question the role of music in society, and in their lives. 

To be eligible to apply,  students must:     

  • Meet all eligibility requirements for the YOLA National Festival 

  • Apply and be admitted to the 2022 YOLA National Symphony Orchestra  

  • Be rising juniors, seniors, or college freshman for the 2022/2023 academic year  

  • Be able to travel within the United States 

How to Apply

All students must first apply for the 2022 YOLA National Symphony Orchestra. Students who are admitted to the 2022 Symphony Orchestra and meet eligibility requirements listed above will be asked to submit supplemental audition materials.  

  • Step 1: Apply to the YOLA National Symphony Orchestra. Please note you must meet all eligibility requirements for the YOLA National Festival to be eligible for the YOLA National Institute.

  • Step 2: Musicians admitted to the YOLA National Symphony Orchestra, and who are rising juniors, seniors, or college level freshmen will be sent the supplemental YNI Application. The application will include:

    • A reflection & personal statement

    • A FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom interview with each musician

  • Step 3: Review the following Application Questions and prepare them. Once ready, log into your Acceptd profile and complete your application.

Application Timeline

April 1, 2022: Notification distributed to applicants /
YNI applications open to select musicians
of the YOLA National Symphony Orchestra
April 7, 2022: Application Opens
April 21, 2022: Application Closes
May 1-May 15, 2022: YNI Finalist Interviews
May 20, 2022: YNI Decisions Announced
June 21-June 29: YNI LA Residency
July 23-August 3: YOLA National Festival

2021-2022 YNI Fellows:

Violin

Cristal Martinez Perez, Austin Soundwavesz
Francesco Capitano, Siman Orchestral Foundation
Juan Florez, Miami Music Project
Enoc Garza, YOLA at EXPO
Maria Gonzalez Marcano, Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras
Noemi Guzman, YOLA at EXPO

Viola

David Vallejo-Lozano, Miami Music Project
Gerdlie Jean-Louis, Kids 4 Harmony
Arianelle Arroyo, Juilliard Music Advancement Program (MAP)
Jay Maldonado, Greater Miami Youth Symphony

Cello

Gerdrose Jean Louis, Kids 4 Harmony 
Jonathan Colon,The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts
Marcus  Gee, KidzNotes
Khalil Payne, 16, Tri M Music Honor 
Heather Cruz, Kids 4 Harmony

Double Bass

Geetika Komati, Juilliard Music Advancement Program (MAP)
Noanddi Manigat, BYSO Intensive Community Program

Flute

Jose Arana, YOLA at HOLA

Clarinet

Rebekah Campbell, Riverside Arts Academy

Oboe

Elizabeth Perez-Hickman, Miami Music Project 
Estelle Balsirow, Juilliard Music Advancement Program (MAP)
Sophia Lehrmann, Miami Music Project

Bassoon

Daniela Santana, Harmony Project

Trumpet

Jay-Era Johnson, Empire State Youth Orchestra
Judith Garcia, YOLA at EXPO
Sid Chalasani, Juilliard Music Advancement Program (MAP)

Trombone

Elise Montenora, Juilliard Music Advancement Program 
Rebekah Marquez, YOLA at HOLA
Wilfrido Cruz, YOLA at HOLA

French Horn

Audrey Chung, YOLA at HOLA 

Percussion

John Sunderman, YOLA at HOLA
Somesh Yatham, Austin Soundwaves

 

YNI Alumni

2020-2021 YNI Fellows:

Violin

Cristal Martinez Perez, 17, Austin Soundwaves 
Emma Manigat, 17, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra 
Francesco Capitano, 17, Siman Orchestral Foundation
Juan Florez, 18, Miami Music Project
Gerdlie  Jean-Louis, 16, Kids 4 Harmony 
Sarah Chu, 16, Austin Soundwaves

Viola

David Vallejo-Lozano, 17, Miami Music Project

Cello

Gerdrose Jean Louis, 16, Kids 4 Harmony 
Jonathan Colon, 17, The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts
Marcus  Gee, 17, KidzNotes
Ashley McCoy, 18, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra
Khalil Payne, 16, Tri M Music Honor 

Flute

Jose Arana, 17, YOLA at HOLA 

Oboe

Elizabeth Perez-Hickman, 17, Miami Music Project 
Oliver Talukder, 18, The People's Music School, Youth Orchestras 

French Horn

Audrey Chung, 16, YOLA at HOLA 

Trombone

Elise Montenora, 16, Juilliard Music Advancement Program 
Melvin Casillas Muñoz, 17, El Sistema Colorado 

2019-2020 YNI Fellows:

Violin

Francesco Capitano, 16, Simanof Orchestral Foundation
Juan Florez
, 17, Miami Music Project
Leslie Gonzalez
, 18, Harmony Project, Los Angeles
Gerdlie Jean-Louis, 15, Kids 4 Harmony, Longy Side-by-Side
Liliana Morales, 18, YOLA at EXPO
Angela Ramirez
, 17, Coral Reef Senior High School
Helena Singleton, 17, Sistema Tulsa

Viola

Hannah Esquivel, 18, YOLA at EXPO
David Vallejo-Lozano, 16, Miami Music Project
Geovanny Martinez, 16, YOLA at EXPO

Cello

Jonathan Colon Rosario, 16, The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts
Marcus Gee, 16, KidzNotes
Danielle Liburd, 18, Atlanta Music Project
Gizelle Polanco, 17, YOLA at EXPO

Bass

Pablo Camacho, 18, Miami Music Project

Flute

Jonathan Webb, 17, McEachern High School

Oboe

Madison Centeno, 18, YOLA at HOLA

Bassoon

Carlos Cano, 16, YOLA at EXPO
Ingrid Hernandez, 18, YOLA at EXPO

Trumpet

Jorge Avila, 19, YOLA at HOLA
Nataly Gonzalez
, 18, YOLA at EXPO

French Horn

Andy Gonzalez, 16, YOLA at EXPO