"Young Concert Artists has acquired a special status in the musical world, and deservedly so. Its auditions and concerts have brought to public attention a steady stream of remarkable musicians. It is extremely doubtful that any organization anywhere could have matched the YCA record for spotting great talent and helping it along."

- THE NEW YORK TIMES

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT

YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS!

 

TELL ME ABOUT YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS!
 

It was founded by Susan Wadsworth in 1961 as a professional non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and launching the careers of exceptional, but unknown, young musicians from all over the world.

IS THIS ORGANIZATION NECESSARY?
 

Actually it is not easy even for an extraordinary artist to have the chance to be heard just because they are so gifted. Young Concert Artists does everything to open the doors to the international concert world by providing management services, important debuts and performing experience.

HOW ARE THE YCA ARTISTS CHOSEN?
 

Each YCA Artist has been chosen as a Winner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, which differ in an important way from Competitions. The participants are competing against a standard of excellence – not each other. There is no specified limit to the number of artists who can win.

WHAT DOES YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS PROVIDE?

THE TWO YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS SERIES:
 

YCA artists are presented in the prestigious Young Concert Artists Series in New York and     

Washington, in recital and concerto debuts with orchestra.

MANAGEMENT:

We offer management services, booking concert engagements throughout the United States and abroad, debut recordings, publicity materials, promotion, and career development.

EDUCATION:
 

YCA artists bring their exciting music-making and youthful enthusiasm to young audiences through our Annaliese Soros Educational Residency Program.  Each year, YCA artists give hundreds of lecture-demonstrations, mini-concerts and master-classes at schools, colleges      and community centers throughout the country in connection with their concert engagements.

COMPOSER PROGRAM:
 

We promote the creation and performance of new works through the YCA Composer Program which forges collaborations between YCA’s young performers and composers.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS' FAMOUS ALUMNI?

Alumni include violinists Pinchas Zukerman, Ani Kavafian, Ida Kavafian, and Chee-Yun;

pianists Murray Perahia, Emanuel Ax, Richard Goode, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Christopher O'Riley,  Jeremy Denk and Olli Mustonen; flutists Paula Robison and Eugenia Zukerman; the Tokyo, St. Lawrence and Borromeo String Quartets; cellists Fred Sherry and Carter Brey; soprano Dawn Upshaw.

PRAISE FROM YCA ALUMNI

   EMANUEL AX:

"Young Concert Artists is the most wonderful start to any musician's life. The young musician needs concert experience and must be able to 'practice' this constantly. This is something that YCA provides in abundance.  It is because of Young Concert Artists that I am able to make music today."

   DAWN UPSHAW:

"I knew nothing about what was entailed in a singing career. Young Concert Artists gave me the chance to bloom. I don’t think I would have gotten that chance anywhere else. A lot of the things that have happened to me, happened because of the spotlight that Young Concert Artists shines on you.”

   PINCHAS ZUKERMAN:

"How amazing that 50 years have gone by! It feels like yesterday that I was traveling to play the concerts arranged through YCA.  It was such a fantastic time, starting off on the most incredible journey.”


FROM THE PRESS:

"Few musicians can launch major careers simply by appearing and announcing themselves, and that is where Young Concert Artists helps. Dozens of important musicians (Murray Perahia, Emanuel Ax, Dawn Upshaw - the list goes on) can testify to the spirit of YCA.”

“Since 1961, Young Concert Artists has been perhaps the most important conduit for young performers from the conservatories into the professional world of music."
 

"Selling out the Terrace Theater for a debut by an unknown musician is a regular feat for Young Concert Artists. Washingtonians have come to trust YCA as they would their savviest stockbroker."
 

"Young Concert Artists has given a substantial start to 221 musicians and 11 chamber-music ensembles. There is no doubt that they have all enriched American musical life."

 

GOAL OF THE YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS

50^th ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN:

To bring more people to Young Concert Artists to experience the joy of discovering the greatest young musicians in the world.

There will never be a time when young artists aren’t in need of help and support to achieve their dreams.  Young Concert Artists fills this need like no other organization.

There are numerous opportunities to celebrate Young Concert Artists in this landmark year, and to join those who treasure music as a vital part of life.  We welcome your participation in supporting YCA’s present programs and in ensuring the future of the organization.

 
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS:

Tax-deductible contributions from individual music lovers, and grants from corporations, foundations, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts make the work of Young Concert Artists possible.

The Young Concert Artists Endowment Fund includes specially endowed gifts which underwrite special career opportunities, concerts and artistic and educational projects. If you wish to support the activities of Young Concert Artists or to contribute to the Young Concert Artists Endowment Fund, please contact Sara Sill at Young Concert Artists.