Los Angeles, August 19, 2014 – The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association announces Juan Felipe Molano as the new conductor of Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA). Molano, who graduated with honors from the Vienna Conservatory, has held positions as the Music Director of the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra; Founding Director of the Colombian Youth Philharmonic; National Symphonic Director of Batuta, the Colombian National System of Youth Orchestras; and most recently as Artistic Director of Youth Orchestra Salinas (YOSAL) in California. Molano will make his debut performance with YOLA in the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s “Toyota Symphonies for Youth” concert on Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

“It was such an inspiration to hear the final auditions for this important position,” says LA Phil Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. “YOLA has grown so much since we began with our first ensemble in 2007, and it’s wonderful to have this new and vibrant talent on the podium to further inspire our YOLA musicians.”

“We are very fortunate to welcome Juan Felipe Molano to the LA Phil family, especially at a time when YOLA is growing not only in the number of students, but in the depth of programming,” says President and CEO Deborah Borda. “His extensive experience, natural leadership, and commitment to music education, are vital assets to the advancement of YOLA as an El Sistema model of transformative social change through music.”

“I am very excited to join the Los Angeles Philharmonic as the new YOLA conductor,” says Molano. “YOLA inspires the nation to take on the challenge of social change through music. It is a fantastic opportunity to encourage YOLA orchestras to aim for artistic excellence and achieve their fullest potential. I truly look forward to joining this wonderful musical family.”

Molano was chosen for his exceptional abilities as an artist and an educator across age-groups. His experience with the El Sistema philosophy in Colombia and California uniquely positions him to lead the next chapter in YOLA’s history.  

Subscriptions for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 2014/15 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall are currently available. Single tickets will be on sale Sunday, August 24. To purchase, please visit LAPhil.com, the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlet. To order by phone with credit card, please call the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office at 323.850.2000, or Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000. For more information, please call 323.850.2000.

For complete TSFY programs, please visit http://www.laphil.com/tsfy.

Juan Felipe Molano
Graduated with honors from the Vienna Conservatory, currently Artistic Director of El Sistema Salinas in California, and for the last six years National Symphonic Director of Batuta Colombian National System of Youth Orchestras, he divides his musical activities between pedagogy and conducting. He became Music Director and Principal Conductor of Yucatan Symphony Orchestra in Mexico from 2003-2008, which has since become one of Mexico’s most prestigious orchestra. European appearances include orchestras in Spain, Italy, Germany, Norway, Slovakia and Austria. Molano has led prominent orchestras in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil and the USA: YOA Orchestra of Americas, Bogota Philharmonic, Colombian National Symphony, Cali Philharmonic, Medellin Philharmonic, Jove Orquestra de la Generalitat Valenciana, Euskadi Ikasleen Orkestra, OSUANL, Morelia Symphony, Mexico Politecnico Nacional Symphony, working with artists such as: Plácido Domingo, Ryu Goto, Cuarteto latinoamericano, Ilya Gringolts, among others. He is a frequent presenter for the El Sistema movement around the world.

Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA)
Since Fall of 2007, YOLA has grown to serve 650 students, ages 6-18, in South L.A., the Rampart District and East L.A. YOLA partners share costs and program management responsibilities. The YOLA initiative currently consists of three programs: YOLA at EXPO, YOLA at HOLA, and YOLA at LACHSA.

Part of Exposition Park in South L.A., YOLA at EXPO has grown to include three orchestras, mentorship, group lessons, chamber music, and parent ensembles. The program serves hundreds of students who attend four days each week. In addition, students perform annually at Walt Disney Concert Hall and have appeared multiple times on the iconic stage of the Hollywood Bowl. YOLA at EXPO is a partnership of the LA Phil, Harmony Project, and EXPO Center, a City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks facility.

YOLA at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), located in the Rampart District, serves hundreds of students with intensive after-school orchestral instruction five days a week. Classes include music creativity, singing and solfège, ensemble rehearsals, and academic tutoring daily. This holistic approach fosters a sense of community and provides the students with the opportunity to take advantage of HOLA’s exceptional programs and resources. YOLA at HOLA is a partnership between the LA Phil and Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA).

YOLA at LACHSA engages 90 students, ages 8-11. High school students at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts act as mentors to their younger YOLA counterparts. YOLA at LACHSA is a partnership between the LA Phil and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.

As of January 2013, YOLA is engaged in two new initiatives both through the YOLA at HOLA program: USC Brain and Creativity Institute’s 5-year longitudinal brain study to track brain, emotional and social development in students participating in intensive music study, providing insight into the “musical mind”; and a Masters of Arts in Teaching Music through Bard College and Longy School of Music with its LA-based campus at YOLA at HOLA, allowing musicians with a desire to respond to today’s educational needs, and who aspire to participate in the growing El Sistema movement in the U.S., to earn a teaching degree and credential.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Music Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of music from all genres – orchestral, chamber and Baroque music, organ and celebrity recitals, new music, jazz, world music and pop – at two of L.A.’s iconic venues, Walt Disney Concert Hall (www.laphil.com) and the Hollywood Bowl (www.hollywoodbowl.com). The LA Phil’s season at Walt Disney Concert Hall extends from September through May, and throughout the summer at the Hollywood Bowl. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, education and community programs.

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