YOLA Administrative Fellowship
The Leni Boorstin YOLA Administrative Fellowship provides paid, two‑year professional experience for YOLA alumni interested in arts administration, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. Fellows gain hands‑on experience across LA Phil and YOLA departments, mentorship, and professional development support.
Leni Boorstin Fellow: Sergio Bocardo
As a 2025-27 Fellow, Sergio is supporting the development of The Ford’s Ticket Access Program, helping expand pathways for community members to experience live performance. Through the fellowship, he also receives mentorship and professional development from LA Phil staff and partners, while collaborating across departments to support program activities and strengthen connections between the LA Phil, YOLA, and the communities they serve.
Meet Leni Boorstin
To honor the four decades of service that Leni Boorstin has dedicated to the Los Angeles Philharmonic in shaping their community and learning programs, with a central role in launching YOLA, the LA Phil has created The Leni Boorstin YOLA Administrative Fellowship. Include more information about Leni; link to interview video?
About the Fellowship
This paid annual fellowship is awarded to two young people, providing YOLA graduates the opportunity to play an even greater role in shaping its future. Working alongside staff members at the new Beckman YOLA Center at Inglewood, they will contribute to the learning programs and build connections in the community.
Two YOLA Alumni will be selected for the Leni Boorstin Administrative Fellowship. This two-year, part-time, paid position offers alumni the opportunity to learn the infrastructure of arts organizations and is intended to create a space for alumni to think critically about the ways in which the LA Phil and YOLA engages with the community.
- Fellows will have opportunities to work with various departments of the LA Phil and with YOLA locations throughout Los Angeles.
- Fellows will work side-by-side with LA Phil and YOLA staff members, helping to build out community engagement and programming, and have access to Executive Team members and members of the board as they are available.
- Fellows will work on a community project for the duration of their fellowship with support from LA Phil staff.
- Fellows will work alongside and provide support to the development of a YOLA Youth Council.
- Fellows will have a chance to connect with Leni Boorstin to discuss ideas, projects, and career goals.
Fellowship Goals
- Support YOLA alumni building a career in arts administration, arts advocacy, community and civic engagement.
- Develop arts administrators with extensive experience, understanding, and transferrable skills relevant to careers in the arts.
- Further enhance community engagement programming for the LA Phil.
- Strengthen community relationships.
- Focus on ideas supporting youth empowerment.
- Civic engagement.
- Arts advocacy and ensuring the arts are more accessible across Southern California.
- Design impactful opportunities for the community and arts field.
Fellowship Opportunities
- Civic Engagement: Fellows will have the chance to work alongside LA Phil teams to identify and address areas in need of further support and opportunities to engage the community.
- Arts Advocacy/Youth Empowerment: Fellows will have a chance to develop a YOLA Youth Council to empower and guide youth on how to advocate and be involved in the decision-making process on things impacting their community.
- Community Engagement: Fellows will have a chance to design, coordinate, and execute events and engagement opportunities for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and YOLA community.
- Partnership: Fellows will work to support the ongoing research of local organizations that align with Program development and support the LA Phil on finding unique and holistic solutions to new initiatives and program efficiencies. Fellows will help find local artists and collaborators that can connect with the YOLA Program/LA Phil as well as enhance program offerings.
- Program Administration: In addition to working with other departments, Fellows will support the day-to-day administration of YOLA and The Ford programs. Fellows will also assist in communication with parents, students, and teaching artists.
Past Fellow: Jackelinne Rodriguez
Jackelinne Rodriguez (cello, YOLA at EXPO) is a recent UCLA graduate and was the 2023-25 Leni Boorstin Community Programming Fellow at the Ford! We recently caught up with Jackie to learn more about what she's been up to and how she's been using her expertise.
What are your job duties?
My responsibilities as the Leni Boorstin Community Engagement Fellow are to coordinate The Ford’s current Community Residencies program, specifically with the Las Fotos Project. The Community Residencies program at The Ford creates collaborations between youth centered organizations that are preparing the next generation of career-oriented individuals. Specifically with the Las Fotos Project CEO residency, I have helped coordinate professional development opportunities and guide them through the summer-long photographic residency as we invited five talented youth photographers to photograph a total of 10 different shows at The Ford. Additionally, my role is responsible for researching and identifying new potential opportunities for our Community Residencies program. The goal is to create a space where young professionals can think critically about the ways in which the LA Phil, YOLA, and The Ford engage with community in all aspects of the music and event industry.
What do you like about your job?
I love working with youth who are taking charge of their narrative and are eager to learn from the opportunities that have been presented to them. As someone who was once a student in an arts organization, I am deeply appreciative of the people who believed in youth development so, now, it’s very fulfilling to be a part of the team who facilitates those opportunities.
Can you share any memorable moments or experiences from your time as a Fellow?
A memorable moment as a Fellow was the first project I completed at The Ford.
I helped create the inaugural Las Fotos Gallery and saw it get placed on the backstage area for all future guests and touring artists to see. Now, every time I pass by the gallery, I get reminded of how nervous I was to begin this role but also how much I’ve professionally grown since I’ve started at The Ford.
What resources or support systems have been most helpful to you in your journey from college to your current role?
I am very grateful for my friends and mentors that have helped instill the confidence I needed to pursue my aspirations. Many of the mentors in my life have given me advice and one thing I’ve learned from them all is rejection is simply redirection. Our passions are applicable in a variety of situations so don’t be afraid to reach out to people who have careers you may want. They just might have the resources or have people in their network who can give you a chance!
As a recent college grad, do you have advice for YOLA Alumni, first generation college students, or recent graduates?
Reach out to everyone you are interested in when you want to learn more about their career! You would be surprised by how many responses you can get by extending your curiosities in a friendly email. LinkedIn can be your best friend if you are looking for a way to contact people at a certain company you are interested in. The more personable and tailored the message is, the better. It might take a couple of tries but it’s helped me learn about all the different career opportunities in the arts that go beyond those who perform on the stage. Also, listen to your gut, if you want to explore different opportunities you have the power to change your trajectory (always ask for advice from those you aspire to be like!).