Author: Sandy

We are excited to announce that two opportunities have opened up for qualified applicants who are passionate about our mission to empower students to transform their lives through music. Follow the links below to find complete descriptions of the positions and directions on how to apply.

Director of Operations

Operations and Administrative Assistant

 

 

Audiences will have several opportunities to enjoy performances by DCYOP students at DC’s National Gallery of Art in early 2024. First up on Saturday, February 3rd, the Young Virtuosi will perform a 30 minute program of works by composers from the African  diaspora including Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint George, Scott Joplin, and Samuel Coleridge Taylor. The ensemble will give two performances at 1:30 and 3:00 PM in the East Building Mezzanine.

On Sunday, March 10th, members of the Youth Orchestra will join the  for a concert commemorating International Women’s Day. Celebrated Ukranian-born pianist Inna Faliks will join the combined orchestra for the world premiere of a piano concerto by Grammy-nominated composer Clarice Assad as well  as Clara Schumann’s piano concert in A minor, op. 7. 

We are so proud of every student who performed in our winter concerts at UDC earlier this month! Ten ensembles, from our Debut Orchestra to our 91-member Youth Orchestra, played their hearts out on the Theater of the Arts stage for nearly 1,250 enthusiastic attendees. Among the highlights of the concert performances included the world premiere  by the Youth Orchestra of WONDER by Allison Loggins-Hull, the final K-12 New Music Project commission that was generously supported by our partners at the National Orchestral Institute + Festival and the League of American Orchestras. The Youth Orchestra opened the final winter concert with a beautiful performance of “Nimrod” from Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations in tribute to founder Lyn McLain.

We look forward to sharing concert videos with you on our YouTube channel in early January! In the meantime, see what some of our students, faculty and staff are most looking forward to during the upcoming winter break. See you in 2024!

 

 

 

For our last edition of Get to Know DCYOP for 2023, we want to introduce you to one of our beginner ensemble students, cellist Richard Bradford. Richard started cello with us last school year and joined his first ensemble, the Debut Orchestra, this year. A multitalented musician, actor, and singer, Richard most recently made his Folger Theater debut in this fall’s production of The Winter’s Tale, and recorded a television pilot last summer. Read on to learn more about Richard’s passion for music and his plans for his bright future.

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How old are you? What grade are you in and where do you go to school?
I am 8 years old and I am a fourth grader at John Lewis Elementary School

How long have you been studying the cello? What made you choose it?
I have been studying the cello for about a year now.

I didn’t choose the cello, my mom did. But now I wish I had known about it before. The cello is a cool instrument to play, and it has a nice tone, so it is also really nice to listen to.

What has been the hardest thing about learning the cello? What has been the most fun thing about learning the cello?

I’m not basing this on how I feel now, but in beginner A, I was actually having trouble with figuring out my hand posture. Basses are very lucky because they have two professional hand postures to use. The cello only has one.

I have to say that the most fun thing has been doing the eighth notes for Two German Folk Songs because I get to play a lot of notes and I like the tune of it.

How long have you been in DCYOP? What ensemble are you in currently?
I have been in DCYOP for a year! First, I was in the beginner A class and then I moved to the Debut Orchestra. My mom signed me up for the DCYOP before I knew anything about the amazing cello!

What do you like most about DCYOP?
I loooooove the fact that in DCYOP, there are all these different instruments playing and we have all these different parts and I like the fact that the music comes together well.

Do you have any musical goals that you would like to tell us about?
Singer-songwriter and dancer, that’s me. I just want to do those along with my acting career.

Do you have a favorite musician or composer (does not have to be classical!) that you like to listen to?
No, actually! I love a LOT of different artists. But I can’t say any one is my favorite. Including Billy Joel, Prince, Michael Jackson, Kenny Loggins and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

What do you like to do outside of music?
I like writing songs and singing, plus reading. I love to act and have fun too!

 

Meet the newest member of the DCYOP administrative team: Tim Provost! Tim is our new Program Manager but is no stranger to DCYOP. An alum of the program and former teaching artist, Tim is a natural fit for his new role on the program team.  Read on to learn more about Tim’s interests, his favorite DC spots, and how DCYOP has impacted his life.

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Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Hyattsville, Maryland in Prince George’s County!

 How did you get started in music and what kind of work did you do prior to joining the DCYOP team?
My primary instrument is the upright bass, which I started playing in my elementary school’s orchestra in 4th grade. I went to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and majored in Music Education. Before my work with DCYOP, I taught for various music programs around Baltimore City including the Bridges Music Program and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s OrchKids program. I also gigged as a bassist, gave private lessons, and worked as a substitute teacher for Baltimore County public schools. Over the years, I’ve collected many more string instruments and learned to play them (probably too many), but it all started with the bass. I don’t get to play the bass as much as I used to, but I still try to play an instrument every day. Playing the DCYOP’s upper orchestra bass sections recently has been really great for me musically!

What do you do at DCYOP in your new role and what are your general responsibilities?
My new role at DCYOP (which I am incredibly excited about!) is Program Manager. In this role, I work with DCYOP teachers and staff  to put together schedules, set up classrooms/rehearsal spaces, assist with events, and facilitate after-school programming. I get to work with practically everyone in the program, which is fantastic!

What was your path to DCYOP? Why did you decide you wanted to work here?
My time with DCYOP started when I was still in high school. I was advised by all of my music teachers (and even a few complete strangers who I met while playing bass) that the program was amazing and that I should join. Then, after graduating college, I reconnected with the program as a teacher.

Seeing the program both as a student and teacher helped me appreciate just how much good the DCYOP does through music. The DCYOP team is incredibly dedicated to helping students across the region grow both as musicians and as people. I am very passionate about this kind of education, and I am honored to be a part of the program’s work.

What is one of your favorite DCYOP memories as a student?
There are so many! Of all of them, I think getting to travel to Italy with the orchestra was probably the best. I had never been out of the country or on a plane before that trip, so the opportunity to travel was life-changing in and of itself. Being able to play music while traveling made it even more meaningful, and I will remember that experience for the rest of my life.

Who is one of your favorite performers? Why?
I really love watching Chris Thile play. He’s what inspired me to start playing mandolin, and his live performances always leave me stunned. I’ve never seen somebody as in-control of their instrument as he is. I’ve been lucky enough to see him live twice at Wolf Trap, and both times were incredible.

What is one of your favorite pieces of music? Why?
The piece that comes to mind for me is Mahler’s Second Symphony. It’s a gigantic piece scored for a huge orchestra, including a choir at one point, and it’s completely over-the-top. Every movement is intense and emotional in one way or another. The bass parts are also excellent, which helps! I got to play this piece with my local community orchestra when I was 16 and it knocked me off my feet with both its beauty and its intense difficulty. I’ve loved it ever since.

What are your interests outside of music?
I honestly spend most of my free time either playing music or looking up instruments, so it’s always hard for me to think of other hobbies! I love to read and play with my pets, and my wife and I like to cook together. I also play video games whenever I have a bit of extra free time. I’ve been a huge Nintendo fan for as long as I can remember.

What is your favorite place in DC?
The Smithsonian museums are always incredible to me. My parents would take me to see them most years for my birthday and I never get tired of them. The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are also a favorite of mine. It’s a great park and is gorgeous in full bloom.

 

For the last three years, flutist Keith Kelsey has played a pivotal role at DCYOP as both a teaching artist and the conductor of our Premiere Winds ensemble. Keith is an incredibly versatile artist, having also spent the last 8 years performing with the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band as both a piccolo player and Drum Major. He is also a devoted educator who is truly passionate about helping young musicians discover and nurture their love of music.

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Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Detroit, Michigan.

How did you get started on your instrument?
While flute is my primary instrument, I actually started off playing the clarinet in 5th grade band. When I was in middle school, I found a flute in my grandfather’s house. The flute belonged to my aunt when she was a little girl. I taught myself how to play it. I eventually switched and played the flute in my middle school band because I thought that had all of the fun parts in the music 🙂

Did you always want to become a professional musician? What was your path (did you play in youth orchestra growing up, study music in college, have you pursued other careers, etc.)?
I always knew I wanted to be a professional musician growing up. I had a “calling” during my senior year of high school to become a music teacher, so that’s what I did! I went to Western Michigan University for my undergrad studies and earned a degree in Secondary Music Education.

How long have you taught at DCYOP and what is one of your favorite memories? 
I’ve taught at DCYOP for 3 years already and my favorite memory so far was conducting the Premiere Winds ensemble during the spring 2023 concert. The music that was programmed during that cycle was difficult and I was so proud to see their hard work paying off!

What do you like most about teaching?
What I love most about teaching is seeing the growth in my students.

Do you do perform/teach outside of DCYOP?

 I teach middle school band for Baltimore County Public Schools and perform with the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band.

Who is one of your favorite performers? Why?
One of my favorite performers is Beyoncé. I’ve been a fan since I was 7 years old. It has been such a joy watching her grow into the artist she is today. She is one of my favorite performers because I enjoy her voice and she is a great dancer. She’s a performer of many talents!

What is one of your favorite pieces of music? Why?
One of my favorite pieces of music is “Carmen Fantasy for Flute & Piano” by François Borne. There is a lot of nostalgia for me behind that piece. I performed it for my undergrad senior recital. I remember working so hard to learn the piece. It is a difficult piece and I was so proud of myself for being able to perform it well! It is an 11 minute piece that takes you through the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet, so its enjoyable for listeners as well.

What are your interests outside of music? 
Outside of music, I enjoy exercising and reading.

Where is your favorite place to go for fun or what is your favorite thing to do in DC?
In DC, I love going to the museums and trying new restaurants. There is so much to do and see, and I often still feel like a tourist.

 

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our founder, Lyn McLain, passed away peacefully in his home this week. Remembered as “the father of the American youth orchestra,” Lyn  joined the DC public school system in 1956 as a music teacher at Coolidge High School and, only four years later, launched what became known as DCYOP with an initial orchestra of 60 students and three volunteer teachers. He inspired tens of thousands of young people over the next five decades, encouraging students to grow and learn in community through music. He took DCYOP on over a dozen international tours, introducing DC-area youth to new cultures, people, and music, and giving them the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for the region and the country.

As we all grieve this immeasurable loss, we wanted to share this video of Lyn in conversation with our former Executive Director, Liz Schurgin, from 2020. It includes a wonderful short documentary, “Growing Up with Music,” that tells the story of DCYOP during the early decades of the program’s existence and gives those of us not lucky enough to be there a brief glimpse into Lyn’s vision and the impact of what he created. 

To our DCYOP alumni, we would also like to give you a space to share your recollections and memories while also honoring Lyn’s legacy. The DCYOP Storybook is a project that he conceived of during the pandemic to create a visual and written history of the program as seen through the experiences and memories of its students. If you wish to participate, please complete this form or contact Sandy Choi at sandy@dcyop.org for more information.

Emily Langer of the Washington Post penned this lovely obituary for Lyn that does a wonderful job of encapsulating the incredible breadth and depth of Lyn’s work.

For those who were unable to attend in person, a recording of the celebration of life service held for Lyn is now available online.

The TODAY Show paid tribute to Lyn’s life and legacy in a feature called “A Life Well Lived” that aired November 26, 2023. 

We will be sharing more information in the days, weeks, and months to come as we continue to remember Lyn McLain with immense gratitude for the program he built and the incredible legacy he leaves behind.  Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Sally, and their family.  (updated 12/20/2023)

 

Here are a few sightings of DCYOP staff and students outside the classroom:

Director of External Affairs, Betsy Purves, presented the Excellence in Youth Creativity award to nine-year-old fashion designer and author, Gabby Loftin, at the 38^th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards at the Lincoln Theatre on September 28^th. The Mayor’s Arts Awards is an inclusive celebration for District residents across all 8 wards that honors the city’s vibrant creative community and its patrons.

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On October 22nd, DCYOP students (and board member, Dennis de Tray!) were spotted haunting the halls of the REACH at the Kennedy Center as volunteers for the National Symphony Orchestra’s annual Halloween Spooktacular concert celebration. Our students staffed the Haunted Hall Musical PLAYspace!, where they provide treats to young trick-or-treaters, demonstrated their instruments, and provided musical performances for all the attendees.

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Eleven DCYOP and Washington Musical Pathways Initiative students and their families attended the Sphinx Virtuosi concert at Takoma Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church on October 21^st. Sponsored by Washington Adventist University as part of its Anna H. Wang Presidential Concert Series, the Sphinx Virtuosi treated the packed venue to an exciting and engaging program of contemporary and historic works by Black and Latinx composers, including a new double double-bass concertante by member Xavier Foley, who won the Sphinx Competition in 2014. Entitled Galaxy, the work featured the composer and 2022 Sphinx Competition winner, Kebra-Seyoun Charles, as soloists in a blistering performance that brought the audience to its feet. “The Sphinx concert was fantastic!” shares DCYOP and WMPI Artist, Jonathan Stiff. “I really enjoyed the diversity in the music and composers they chose to play. A particular moment that stood out to me was when Xavier Foley played his original contrabass duet piece with Kebra Seyoun-Charles along with string ensemble. The amount of transitions in that particular piece helped to show me how versatile all the players were and how classical music can continue to take influence from other genres.”

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Executive Director, Loretta Thompson, met with DCYOP families on October 21st for an informal meet and greet at Takoma Elementary School. Caregivers had the opportunity to chat with one another, learn more about Loretta and her role in the organization, and share their experiences and ideas for how DCYOP can continue to grow and evolve to meet its community’s needs.