The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA) is an organization that seeks to transform the lives and minds of young people in Inner City Los Angeles through high quality music education.  It teaches inner city youth the great music of the ages and it provides performance opportunities for its members on the most magnificent stages of the world.  It prepares its members for advanced study - music and otherwise - and for high caliber success.

The Orchestra was founded during the summer of 2009 at the instance of young inner city instrumentalists who were seeking advanced preparation and performance opportunities.  During its inaugural season, it performed for a variety of important events, including a debut performance at the beautiful Walt Disney Concert Hall in a joint concert with The Southeast Symphony.  The Orchestra also provided the entertainment at the NAACP Man of Valor Awards Luncheon, the Howard University Alumni Gala Dinner, The Victoria Rowell Foster Children's Plan Celebration, The Great Beginnings 20th Celebration 
Luncheon, and at numerous other events, including performances at the California African-American Museum and the California Endowment.

The past few months have been very busy for the Orchestra.  In May we performed at the LA Times Festival of Books at USC, and in June were featured performers at a fundraising luncheon for President Barack Obama where First Lady Michelle Obama was guest of honor.  We also performed at the Leimert Park Festival of Books as well as had our annual Fundraising Concert to a standing-room only audience!  This summer we have been invited to perform at events honoring the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.  We are looking forward to many other engagements in the coming months, please continue to check back for updates!

ICYOLA is open to all young people from ages 10-25 with a basic level of competence on orchestral instruments.  It is a California not-for-profit, public benefit corporation.