Mission
The VYOA is a community that transforms young people’s lives through music by fostering a
culture where musicians realize their artistic potential, form lifelong friendships, and strive for
musical excellence.
Vision
Music inspires joy throughout a child’s life.
About the VYOA
For over 50 years the VYOA has been a leader in shaping our region’s young musicians. This season, more than 300 musicians in grades 1 – 12 from 63 elementary, middle, and high schools and hail from 10 Vermont counties and neighboring states. With a commitment to children of all ages, the VYOA offers performing ensembles and orchestras, training programs, a private lesson program, school partnerships and community initiatives, summer camps, and an early childhood concert series. You can hear VYOA musicians of all ages perform at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, and the Elley-Long Music Center at St. Michael’s College throughout the season.
Music Inspires
The Vermont Youth Orchestra was founded in 1964 by the Burlington Friends of Music with the mission “to do more for music in the schools.” We continue that work today with Music Inspires. Established in 2012, Music Inspires is the VYOA’s community engagement program committed to eliminating access barriers to students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Partnership with area 21C-funded after-school programs is at the very heart of the program. Music Inspires provides group lessons, coaching, instruments, school-day performances, and materials at no cost to students and their families or their schools.
