More opportunities

unique opportunities

JazzDC Youth Ensemble

Brand new for the 2024-2025 season, the DC Jazz Festival, DC Youth Orchestra and Sitar Arts Center presents the JazzDC Youth Ensemble. The ensemble is designed to give students interested in jazz a space to develop their skills in the following areas: improvisation, sight reading, ensemble playing, and general musicianship. In addition, the students will be able to network and build a community of like-minded people around this unique art form.

Learn more about the program including audition requirements here.

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unique opportunities

Whole Musician Masterclass

Whole Musician Masterclasses is a new series of supplementary workshops designed to enrich our students’ musical, physical, mental, and emotional wellness. They also provide pre-professional educational opportunities to help our advanced students develop crucial skills as they apply for summer programs, colleges and conservatories, and jobs. Classes are available to students at all levels for free. Each class is tailored to different ensemble and age levels.

Past masterclasses have included the Alexander technique, life coaching for young musicians, and pre-professional workshops in public speaking, resume writing, and preparing audition videos.

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unique opportunities

Young Virtuosi

A unique opportunity for advanced students, this small chamber orchestra has played at events such as the Shakespeare Theatre Company Gala at Wolf Trap, the Mayor’s State of the District speech, at the Austrian Embassy, and with Swedish pop star, Jens Lekman, at the 9:30 Club.

unique opportunities

International Tours

Touring is a transformational experience our students look forward to for years. Students experience a new culture and foods, see how orchestras work in another part of the world, and share time with friends who share a passion for music, away from the stresses of daily lives, with some independence to explore, as well. Many alumni remember it as their defining experience with the organization.

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Scholarship experiences

scholarship experiences

Talent Development Program

Intermediate to advanced level students who have demonstrated a serious and enthusiastic commitment to their musical education may audition to participate in our flagship scholarship program. Students accepted into the Talent Development Program receive partial to full tuition scholarship, possible private lesson support, individual mentoring, and opportunities to participate in special recitals and masterclasses with professional musicians.

scholarship experiences

Washington Musical Pathways Initiative

DCYOP is a founding partner of the Washington Musical Pathways Initiative (WMPI), which supports student musicians who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color and want to pursue advanced study in music. WMPI provides comprehensive musical support to aspiring musicians, including tuition scholarships, mentorship, other unique opportunities, and extra-musical support to talented young musicians in their personal musical journeys.

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