MUSIC

Music has been a core component of HOLA since its inception, with its first formal arts program beginning in 1993. As both interest and need grew, HOLA transformed its private and group lessons into a structured program that today includes its youth orchestra and a Music Studios program, including jazz and rock bands. In 2010, HOLA partnered with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to launch a youth orchestra program. The Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA) at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) is the second site of Gustavo Dudamel’s signature program, and celebrated its tenth year last year. In 2021, HOLA officially launched our Eisner Intergenerational Orchestra program which unites multigenerational musicians from multicultural backgrounds to share the joy of music making through rehearsals and free community concerts, progressing towards a common goal of artistic excellence across a diverse musical repertoire. Furthermore, in 2022, the unique and incredible success and city-wide support of our Orchestra sparked the creation of our new Eisner Intergenerational Music Programs which includes our Orchestra and adds a new Intergenerational Big Band and Choir. Intermediate to advanced skill level musicians and singers of all-ages are welcomed to join!

To ensure that students are also succeeding academically, HOLA provides tutors and homework help as well as academic intervention. High school students have access to HOLA’s comprehensive College and Career Success programming, which includes ACT/SAT preparation classes and college application workshops. HOLA provides an immersive and sophisticated music education curriculum that further offers holistic and individualized academic and social support that gives students in this community every opportunity to succeed.

PROGRAM ENROLLMENT

New students: Our HOLA Music applications have closed for the 2023-2024 school year. We will be posting links to our waitlists soon!

Nuestras aplicaciones de HOLA Music han cerrado para el año escolar del 2023-2024. ¡Estaremos publicando los enlaces a nuestras listas de espera pronto!

Our program is open to beginners and students with experience playing an instrument. Don’t worry if you don’t have an instrument - we have one for you! Our classes will be taking place IN PERSON at our new location in Lafayette Park.

If you are over 18 years of age and are interested in participating in our intergenerational music programs, please visit our website to learn about the HOLA Eisner Intergenerational Music Programs.

HOLA Music Studios (HMS) is the contemporary music program housing our rock and jazz bands at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA). Community is centered as a core component of this program, and student voice is a guide for how the program operates. In addition to playing with an ensemble, students will have instruction in production/recording, music history, and music theory. HOLA is immensely grateful to have the support of the LA Philharmonic in this program.

This program is currently open to students in grades 4 - 12. Beginners are welcome! Experienced students in the following instruments are highly encouraged to apply.

Winds: sax, clarinet, flute
Brass: trumpet, trombone
Guitar/Electric bass
Voice
Drums
Piano

To apply, (Select “HMS” under “Program”)

If you are not sure which program you’d like to participate in, fill out the application for either and we will help place you!

NOTICE:
Our HOLA Music applications have closed for the 2023-2024 school year. We will be posting links to our waitlists soon!

Nuestras aplicaciones de HOLA Music han cerrado para el año escolar del 2023-2024. ¡Estaremos publicando los enlaces a nuestras listas de espera pronto!

The Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA) at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) is the second site of Gustavo Dudamel’s signature program. A partnership between HOLA and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, our site hosts three youth orchestras and numerous chamber ensembles.

This program is currently open to students in grades 2 - 12. Beginners are welcome! Experienced students in the following instruments are highly encouraged to apply. Please note, while we will do our best to match students with the instrument of their preference, we may need to make adjustments based on availability. But we promise everyone will have fun!

Strings: violin, viola, cello, bass
Winds: oboe, flute, clarinet, bassoon
Brass: trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, euphonium
Percussion

To apply, (Select “YOLA” under “Program”)

If you are not sure which program you’d like to participate in, fill out the application for either and we will help place you!

We look forward to making music with you soon!

NOTICE:
Our HOLA Music applications have closed for the 2023-2024 school year. We will be posting links to our waitlists soon!

Nuestras aplicaciones de HOLA Music han cerrado para el año escolar del 2023-2024. ¡Estaremos publicando los enlaces a nuestras listas de espera pronto!

Please note: The music programs have limited enrollment. Not all who apply will be accepted.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MUSIC PROGRAMS

YOLA at HOLA is a free after-school youth orchestra program that is inspired by the Venezuelan El Sistema movement and provides free instruments, ensemble-based classical music instruction and performance opportunities to underserved and at-risk youth in Los Angeles. Students receive exceptional instruction from professional teaching artists in section, ensemble and orchestra rehearsals, specialized music classes and a variety of wrap-around resources. As it has grown, HOLA has thoughtfully developed the program to advance students both musically and academically, supporting HOLA’s goal to help all youth explore and build their educational pathways.

Each week, YOLA at HOLA students participate in up to 15 hours of sectional, ensemble and orchestra rehearsals, specialized music classes and more, led by dedicated teaching artists using a standards-based and ensemble-focused curriculum that is designed to achieve proficiency in the orchestral repertoire. Students also participate in 20+ performances annually at venues such as Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. To give students access to the wide community of music performers, certain concerts are collaborations with other youth orchestras, and/or professional musicians, including members of the LA Philharmonic and Maestro Gustavo Dudamel. YOLA at HOLA foregrounds a classical music education in which HOLA’s musicians learn and perform a sophisticated repertoire of classical compositions arranged for full orchestras, chamber groups and sections.

In YOLA at HOLA’s ﬁrst year, HOLA engaged 100 youth and now annually serves more than 300 elementary through high school students.

HOLA Music Studios is HOLA’s original music program which started more than twelve years ago with a small vocal ensemble. The program’s humble beginnings consisted of a few guitars, a never ending quest for space to practice and an exchange between passionate teachers and curious students. Overtime, the program has slowly expanded into two rock bands and two jazz ensembles that actively perform for various community events here in Los Angeles. The program also provides private lessons for guitar, piano, and drums.

The Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) Intergenerational Orchestra (IO), Big Band and Choir will bring together musicians and singers from teens to adults of any age and skill level in a multicultural environment that is representative of our great city, once per week. A huge thank you to the Eisner Foundation for fully funding this vision for three years. To bring this program to life, HOLA’s existing partnership with Bard College students will expand and we will engage many of our community musicians.