Denver Young Artists Orchestra Association

Background Statement

DYAO was founded in 1977 under the auspices of the Denver Symphony Orchestra (now the Colorado Symphony) as a means for Colorado's most talented young musicians to rehearse and perform together under demanding professional standards. For nearly 30 years DYAO consisted of a single, 80 piece, pre-professional level orchestra along with several chamber ensembles and outreach programs. In 2005 the Board of Directors implemented a strategic plan to begin training additional students in high quality orchestral performance. Since 2005, DYAO has expanded with the addition of two training orchestras and four group violin classes at local elementary schools. Last season, DYAO served more than 250 young musicians through its combined efforts.

Although DYAO structures its programs to mirror the expectations of professional orchestras, it understands that only a small percentage of its students will pursue a career in music. Students who graduate from any of DYAO's orchestras learn skills through music that enriches their lives no matter what career path is chosen. These lessons include teamwork, dedication, mental focus, personal responsibility, and how individual pieces work together to make a larger whole.

Current Programs: DYAO is comprised of three large ensembles, four group string classes and several chamber ensembles:

- Young Artists Orchestra, Colorado's most advanced youth symphony orchestra consisting of approximately 90 members, performing at a pre-professional level. Students in this orchestra range in age from 12 to 23.

- Conservatory Orchestra, with members ages 10 through 18, which rehearses and performs intermediate and advanced orchestral works preparing students for membership in DYAO and beyond.

- String Ensemble, in which young string players ages 7 through 13 explore string orchestra literature and develop their ensemble-playing skills.

- "Tune-Up" Group Strings Classes: The Group Strings Classes, currently present at Park Hill Elementary, Polaris@Ebert Elementary, Doull Elementary, and Jewell Elementary, instruct students as young as six how to play the violin.

DYAO's orchestra membership is typically between 200-250 students from 90 schools and universities. 95% of members come predominantly from the major Denver area counties including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson. Each year a few musicians travel long distances to participate, some from as far as Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and as far as Steamboat Springs and other mountain communities.

DYAO performs regularly in Colorado's finest concert halls including Boettcher Concert Hall, Gates Concert Hall (University of Denver, Macky Auditorium (University of Colorado, Boulder), and the Lakewood Cultural Center. Every three or four years DYAO travels internationally, and in June 2019, DYAO traveled to Prague, Salzburg, and Vienna. DYAO students regularly collaborate with professional musicians through coaching sessions and concert soloists. Recent guest artists and collaborators include Central City Opera, Artistico Dance, Edward W Hardy, and Seoyoen Min. DYAO is also the only youth orchestra honored with an annual Side-by-Side concert with the Colorado Symphony, in which DYAO members perform alongside professional Symphony musicians.

DYAO is an artistic affiliate of the Colorado Symphony.