The Dr. Shirley Linzy Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas provides Nevada’s only tuition-free youth orchestra program, delivering high-quality music education and performance opportunities for Southern Nevada students. Through culturally diverse programming, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement, we develop young artists and build lifelong skills such as teamwork, discipline, analytical thinking, and time management. By removing financial barriers, we help students reach their full potential and become successful leaders and citizens who strengthen our community.
Through high quality music education, performance, and empowerment opportunities, students & young professionals are provided the necessary tools to achieve maximum potential. In turn, we create outstanding individuals who help build & sustain the vibrant communities in which we live.
The advancement and success of our students are tied directly with our mission and goal. We strongly believe that music education creates a path that allows students to reach maximum potential, in turn, creates outstanding citizens bettering our community. Since our founding in 2015, 100% of our high school graduates have received large or full scholarships to attend some of the finest universities & music schools in the United States and abroad. Lastly, the success and longevity of our program will extend a trend that through time would evolve into a tradition of fine arts, and cultural awareness within Southern Nevada.
Founded by the visionary violist and conductor Yunior Lopez, The Dr. Shirley Linzy Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas—originally named the Las Vegas Young Artists Orchestra—has become one of the most distinguished youth orchestras in the United States. Celebrated for its commitment to inclusive education, artistic excellence, and the professional development of young musicians, the orchestra made its debut in October 2015 at the Las Vegas Clark County Library with a performance of classical works by Mozart, Elgar, and Piazzolla, featuring 22 talented local students. What began as a small ensemble has since grown into a powerhouse of musical talent, expanding into various ensembles: the YAO Symphony, featuring over 80 musicians up to the age of 22; the YAO Academy, a string orchestra comprising more than 50 students under 18; and the Chamber Orchestra, which presents side-by-side performances with local and visiting artists.
Under Lopez’s leadership, the orchestra has become a beacon for cultural diversity and innovation in music education. The YAO’s programming bridges classical music with a wide array of genres and styles, including mariachi, hip-hop, jazz, Latin-American, and opera, offering young musicians unique opportunities to collaborate with renowned guest artists. Unique and original programs include One Night in Havana, Dia de los Muertos, History of Hip-Hop, Let Us Rock!, and Night at the Opera. These projects, alongside traditional and modern orchestral repertoire, have positioned the YAO as a leader in youth music education and performance.
In 2017, the organization was renamed The Dr. Shirley Linzy Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas in honor of Dr. Shirley Linzy, a passionate supporter and advocate for the orchestra’s mission. As one of the few tuition-free youth orchestras in the country, the YAO is dedicated to making high-level musical training accessible to all students, regardless of financial background. This commitment has fostered the artistic and professional growth of hundreds of young musicians, with 100% of YAO’s high school graduates continuing their studies at prestigious music schools and universities, including Yale, Vanderbilt, Indiana University, and The Colburn School.
In 2024, the YAO achieved two of its most high-profile accomplishments to date: performing the pregame show for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, broadcast nationally by CBS Sports, and delivering a featured performance for the 2024 F1 Grand Prix pregame show—cementing its reputation as a premier orchestra capable of meeting the demands of global entertainment events.
Since 2021, the YAO has become one of the highest ticket-grossing youth orchestras in the nation. With over 140 concerts and events presented since its inception, the YAO continues to be a leading force in the Las Vegas cultural scene, recognized for its excellence with multiple “Best of Las Vegas” awards for Arts & Culture Event. The orchestra remains committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians, offering them the tools and experiences they need to succeed in the professional music world.
The advancement and success of our students are tied directly with our mission & goal. We strongly believe that music education creates a path that allows students to reach maximum potential, in turn, creates outstanding citizens bettering our community. Lastly, the success and longevity of our program will extend a trend that through time would evolve into a tradition of fine arts, and cultural awareness within Southern Nevada.
Yunior Lopez
Founder and Executive & Music Director
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