Registration for the 2025-26 school year is closed.
Important Dates and Information
April 25, 2026 - Registration for 2026-2027 Program Opens
Registration
DCYOP accepts any student age 4.5 – 18.
- Beginner Student Programs are for a full school year, culminating in a concert in May. Registration for 2026-27 beginner program begins April 25, 2026. If you'd like to be notified when registration is open for the next season, please add yourself to the list here.
- Advanced Student Programs accept auditions for each semester. Auditions for Spring 2026 are being held by video audition. Please note that audition videos are due by January 12th. Click here to see the instructions and to submit your video audition. We look forward to seeing your submissions.
No Previous Experience
Beginner Classes
Get on a List for Next Year
Age Requirements
We often get the question of “what is the right age to start a particular instrument?” DCYOP has developed age parameters to help guide parents in determining what is the best age to start an instrument. View minimum age requirements below.
Show minimum age requirements
InstrumentMinimum Age
Violin4.5
Viola4.5
Cello6
Bass7
Flute8
Clarinet8
Oboe8
Bassoon8
Saxophone8
Trumpet8
Trombone8
French Horn8
Tuba8
Percussion8
Harp7
Previous Experience & Returning Students
Previous Experience
Returning Students
Advanced Student Programs accept auditions for each semester. Auditions for Spring 2026 are being held by video audition. Please note that audition videos are due by January 12th.
Click here to see instructions and to submit your video audition.
Tuition
Tuition covers lessons/sectionals, rehearsals, concerts, evaluations and master classes. DCYOP subsidizes tuition for all students to make its programs accessible for every family.
We also offer sliding scale tuition for qualifying families, payment plans, and scholarship experiences for advanced students.
Level A & Continuing Level A
SY 2025-26 Full Year Cost
$720/year*
Wind Ensemble / Young Artists Orchestra / Repertory Orchestra
SY 2025-2026 Full Year Cost
$860/year*
Debut Orchestra / Premiere Winds / Concertino / Sinfonia
SY 2025-2026 Full Year Cost
$790/year*
Youth Philharmonic / Youth Orchestra
SY 2025-2026 Full Year Cost
$920/year + $100* Concert and Activities Fee
*Tuition shown above is full price. DCYOP is committed to accessibility for all. Tuition assistance is offered on a sliding scale for qualifying families. For more information visit our tuition assistance page.
Assistance and scholarships
Tuition covers lessons/sectionals, rehearsals, concerts, evaluations and master classes. While the average cost per student is $1400 per year, DCYOP subsidizes tuition for all students to make its programs affordable and accessible. We offer additional financial assistance to all students on a sliding scale and a scholarship experience for intermediate and advanced students.
Audition information
We will be holding Auditions for the Advanced Spring Programs starting in November 2025. If you would like to be notified when auditions begin, please sign up here
Audition Requirements
Students interested in participating in DCYOP should prepare the following:
- Any piece of music that you are currently practicing either at school or with your teacher
- Two scales of your choice
For students interested in our advanced orchestras (Youth Orchestra and Youth Philharmonic), please prepare the following:
1
6 – 7 minutes of a solo work (concerto or sonata) or two contrasting works demonstrating your current ability
2
Two scales. You may pick between: all major scales and minor scales up to three flats and sharps (melodic form) for Youth Philharmonic; all major scales and minor scales up to four flats and sharps (melodic form) for Youth Orchestra. Scales should be memorized
- Strings – three octave scales performed slowly, one note per bow, and 4 notes per bow, legato (eighth notes at quarter note = 72)
- Winds – As many octaves as possible performed slurred and tongued (eighth notes at quarter note = 72)
Percussion students, please contact [email protected] for specific audition requirements.
FAQ
Where and when are rehearsals?
Takoma Elementary School, 7010 Piney Branch Rd. NW on Saturdays during the D.C. Public Schools calendar year.
What time will my child’s ensemble meet?
The timing of your child’s rehearsal depends on their level. In general, beginning classes and introductory and advanced ensembles meet in the morning and intermediate ensembles meet in the afternoon.
Do we need to live in D.C. in order to participate?
No! We accept students from the entire DMV metropolitan area.
What are your registration policies?
Please see our 2025-2026 Registration Policies for more information.
Is it too late to join?
We accept new beginner students at the beginning of the fall for the full school year.
Advanced students may audition in Fall or Spring. To get a list to be notified for the next audition period sign up here.
Registration stays open on a case-by-case basis for the first couple weeks of each semester.
Do you teach adults?
No
Do you teach guitar or piano?
No
