"El Sistema" and Gustavo Dudamel

Watch the piece on 60 Minutes that highlights Dudamel and the method he brought to Los Angeles: Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles

The EXPO Center Youth Orchestra is a beginning-level ensemble from South LA with a focus on excellence, community, and creativity. This first project of YOLA is a partnership of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, The Harmony Project, and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.


The instruments and the program are free to all participating students as long as they uphold their contract to take care of the instrument, practice, and attend lessons and orchestra rehearsals. Participating students come mainly from within a 5-mile radius of the EXPO Center and represent more than 60 public, charter, and private schools in South L.A.

Parents of participating students are able to enroll in parent workshops.