The Dr. Shirley Linzy Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas, also known as The Young Artists Orchestra, is a Las Vegas Youth Orchestra program dedicated to advancing, educating, and promoting young musicians. As the only tuition-free and professional training program in the State of Nevada, the YAO has been recognized for it’s year long concert season featuring world renowned guest artists, masterclasses, and events. The organization is one of the few in Las Vegas that present high quality classical music concerts with over 15 performances and events per season. The yAO was founded by Executive and Music Director, Yunior Lopez, and is governed by a board of directors. In 2017, the orchestra paid homage to one of its biggest supporters by renaming the organization after the late Dr. Shirley Linzy. Since its founding YAO has been responsible for bringing renowned musicians to the city of Las Vegas. Past guest artists include violist Steven Dann (professor of the Royal Conservatory of Music and former Principal Viola of the Royal Concertgebouw), Daniel Hass (Israeli-born solo cellist), Roberto Occhipinti (veteran jazz performer, producer, and educator), and Stanislav Pronin (violin virtuoso and 1st Concertmaster of the Aarhus Symphony), to name a few. Moreover, the program hosts up to 10 masterclasses per season. The LVYAO is proud to feature high quality classical music concerts in Las Vegas. We are a Las Vegas Youth Orchestra program. Auditions for our orchestra programs are now open year round for available positions. The yearly audition period for all students takes place in April and May of each year. Please visit the YAO Auditions Page to join the YAO Symphony for students aged 22 and under or the Academy Orchestra for students 16 years old and under. Accepted candidates will receive free-tuition, work alongside nationally and internationally recognized artists, and take part in masterclasses, lessons, and many other events.
The YAO is sponsored in part by the Adelson Clinic, the Adelson Family Foundation, The Rea Charitable Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, Desert Strings, Violin Outlet, and individual donors. Orchestra in las Vegas. Youth Orchestra in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Youth Orchestra. Performing Arts.
Our government sponsors include The National Endowment of the Arts and the Nevada Arts Council.