The Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) gives more than 1,200 young people a chance to receive free music lessons, instruments and academic support.

A part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the program was inspired by Venezuela’s music education program El Sistema.

Now in its 12th year, YOLA serves the following areas of Los Angeles: Westlake/MacArthur Park, Rampart District, South L.A. and East L.A. A 5th site will open in Inglewood in the fall of 2020.

Our Ariel Wesler profiled a young musician who recently became one of the first graduates to complete YOLA’s entire program.

For more information, visit the LA Phil's YOLA website.

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