Nora Aivazyan
Brenda Barnes
Karla Berglund Hughes
Circe Diaz Gamero
Kevin Fitz-Gerald, Ph.D
Dr. Kay Ladanyi, Ph.D
Jane Levy
Billy Mitchell
Cecilia Loera Nash
Mary Schander
CC Smith Lawrence Sonderling
Frank Ticheli, Ph.D.
Emeritus Youth Orchestra Partner
Grantee
Grantee
How do you reward a young musician
for all that practice?
Emeritus Youth Orchestra Partner with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Verdugo Young Musician's Association,
a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is dedicated to providing first-rate music education in a nurturing, non-competitive ensemble setting. Members of the VYMA enhance their musical skills through professional coaching while they discover the dedication, teamwork and joy of making music together.
"Rodeo" by Aaron Copland - VYMA Spring 2008 Concert
photo by Luann Norring
VYMA Orchestral Programs All students with a minimum of one year private instruction are welcome. Repertoire is carefully selected to meet the abilities, aspirations, and educational needs of students at varying levels of musical development (beginning through advanced). In addition to the orchestra rehearsals, VYMA offers sectional coaching by experienced and accomplished professional musicians every week. All ensembles have multiple performance opportunities throughout the year. Past venues have included theaters, libraries, museums, parks, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the L.A. Philharmonic's Symphonies for Youth and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Orchestral programs meet on Tuesdays.
The Verdugo Youth Ensemble welcomes all young players with little or no orchestral experience. Students learn the basics of ensemble playing and how to work with a conductor while they prepare music for performance.
Verdugo Youth Orchestra (open to all instruments) is designed for intermediate and advanced players who have had orchestral experience and are prepared to explore the orchestral repertoire of Baroque, Classical, Romantic and contemporary composers.
Chamber Music Program
VYMA also offers a Chamber Music program especially designed to challenge young musicians playing beginning, intermediate and advanced repertoire. VYMA chamber groups have the opportunity to perform in many venues, and have won recognition from the Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC) Voce Competition and at the Southwest Youth Music Festival (SYMF). Chamber ensembles meet on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Jazz Program VYMA is proud to offer a 10 week jazz program with renowned Jazz instructor Richard Simon. The jazz program is open to all instrumentalists who are also enrolled in the Verdugo Youth Orchestra. Jazz meets on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30.
Adult Chamber Music Program, 12-week semester (twelve 60 minute sessions with a professional coach). This adult program is designed specifically for adult music lovers who are looking for an opportunity to share their enthusiasm for chamber music with other adult musicians. Please call 818 951-6482 or contact us by email for more information.
Auditions / Tuition
VYMA's season runs from September through early June. Minimum requirement for membership is one year of weekly private lessons for instrumental programs, which must be continued throughout participation in VYMA. Auditions are held for the purpose of placement only, and are conducted with the same encouraging teaching style that characterizes VYMA rehearsals. Check our website for audition hints! Tuition is $275 per semester for each instrumental program. Arts Academy classroom courses are $200 per semester. Limited scholarships are available.
Our Policies
For detailed information on our policies please view our Parents Handbook. VYMA is a member of ACSO (The Association of California Symphony Orchestras) and ASOL (American Symphony Orchestra League).
