Each summer, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute brings together some of the finest young musicians from across the country (ages 16–19) to form the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA). Following a comprehensive audition process and a multi-week training residency at Purchase College, State University of New York, with faculty made up of principal players from top professional US orchestras, these remarkable teenagers perform at Carnegie Hall and embark on a tour to some of the great music capitals of the world, serving as America’s dynamic music ambassadors. As part of their travel schedule, NYO-USA musicians also meet and collaborate with local young musicians and experience the richness of the local culture.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary season this summer, NYO-USA has been praised for “exuding vitality and confidence” (The New York Times) in its performances. Following annual concerts at Carnegie Hall, NYO-USA has toured in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, as well as across the United States. The orchestra has performed at leading international festivals and on landmark stages around the world, including the BBC Proms in London, National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Lotte Hall in Seoul, Sucre National Theater in Quito, and the Tanglewood festival, among many others. Last summer, the orchestra returned to touring for the first time since the pandemic, performing across Europe, including debuts at the Lucerne and Ravello festivals. In the 10 years since the ensemble’s creation, NYO-USA has worked with incredible conductors and guest artists, including Sir Antonio Pappano, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Christoph Eschenbach, David Robertson, Emanuel Ax, Gil Shaham, Joshua Bell, Joyce DiDonato, Marin Alsop, and Michael Tilson Thomas.
NYO-USA is one of Carnegie Hall’s three acclaimed national youth orchestras, along with NYO2 for outstanding classical musicians ages 14–17 and NYO Jazz for the nation’s finest jazz instrumentalists ages 16–19. Over the last decade, more than a thousand young musicians have performed in the three ensembles, creating a unique musical community, spotlighting musical excellence found across the US, and transforming countless lives.
To learn more about NYO-USA, visit carnegiehall.org/NYOUSA.
