Skip to page content

Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA)

About this Artist

The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles is the nation's largest orchestra dedicated to empowering youth from underserved backgrounds through music. It was formed in 2009 by its Conductor and Executive Director, Charles Dickerson, at the instance of nine young African-American instrumentalists for a youth orchestra to serve a community where none existed. It now serves close to 300 youngsters of which about 125 will be on stage for the orchestra's participation in the LA Phil's March 2 Mahlerthon. It's mission is to provide high-quality music education and performance opportunities, all while fostering essential life skills such as discipline, teamwork, and self-confidence. ICYOLA offers an annual concert season of about 12 concerts, serving as a creative haven for its young members, allowing them to express themselves artistically and develop both musical and life-enhancing skills and practices that will serve them throughout their lives. Dwayne Burrell serves as the orchestra's Assistant Conductor.