Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists Hosts 4th Annual ABOP-in-LA

 

Los Angeles, CA — The Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) proudly announces the fourth annual ABOP-in-LA, a week-long intensive of workshops, masterclasses, and performances for ABOP Protégés and the percussion-curious public, taking place June 23–27, 2026.

Now in its fourth year, ABOP-in-LA has grown into one of the most distinctive programs in classical music education—offering rigorous, professional-level training specifically designed to develop the next generation of Black orchestral percussionists. The program is free and open to the public.

“The growth of ABOP and our protégés in the last four years has been remarkable,” said Raynor Carroll, Co-Founder and CEO of ABOP. “We now have seven protégés in our Mentorship Program who are paired with four mentors across the country. In addition to private lessons, master classes, workshops, and instrument assistance, our protégés participate in the annual ABOP-in-LA, a week-long intensive allowing the protégés to work together in rehearsals, performances, mock auditions, and classes. This year, we will be presenting a new Conductors Workshop. This session is focused on presenting practical information for conductors about the instruments, personnel, logistics as demonstrated by our protégés.”

Carroll’s leadership of ABOP continues to earn national recognition. In 2025, he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame—the most prestigious honor in the world of percussion—alongside only five other inductees in one of the largest induction classes in the organization’s history. Carroll, who served as Co-Principal Timpani and Principal Percussion with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 33 years, founded ABOP in 2021 with a mission to change the face of concert stages nationwide.

 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

This year’s ABOP-in-LA offers free, public-facing events that bring professional-level orchestral percussion to Los Angeles audiences:

• Conductors Workshop — A new addition to the program, this interactive session gives conductors a rare, in-depth look at the orchestral percussion section: instruments, ensemble logistics, the role of a principal, and mallet and sound production. ABOP Protégés will demonstrate instruments and share firsthand professional insights.

• ABOP, ICYOLA & LLSO Concert — A landmark collaboration bringing together the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP), the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), and the Loyola Law School Orchestra (LLSO) for a free concert featuring more than a dozen works for orchestra, including a world premiere by USC composition student Bakhari Nokuri.

Since becoming a Strategic Partner with the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) in 2024, ABOP Protégés attend the annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) —immersed alongside students and professionals from around the world in performances, classes, and instruments representing the full breadth of the percussion field.

 

PROTÉGÉ ACHIEVEMENTS

In just four years, the Mentorship Program has supported Protégés in earning placements at some of the nation’s most prestigious music institutions:

Class of 2026

• Jakalin Bryant — Completed his Bachelor’s Degree at Valdosta State University; accepted to graduate school at the University of Georgia.
• Torrance Buntyn Jr. — Completed his Master’s Degree at Southern Methodist University; accepted to New England Conservatory for his Graduate Diploma.

Class of 2025

• Alexa Clawson — Completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Boston Conservatory of Music at Berklee; accepted to graduate school at the University of California, Los Angeles.
• London Johnson — Graduated from Burbank High School; accepted to the University of California, Los Angeles for Bachelor’s Degree studies.

Class of 2024

• Kaman Richardson — Graduated from Carson High School; accepted to California State University, Long Beach for Bachelor’s Degree studies.

“I look forward to continually pursuing innovative strategies to empower our protégés, enabling them to achieve success in their personal and professional lives while also assuming leadership roles within their respective communities.” said Carroll.

All ABOP-in-LA events are free and open to the public. For event details, schedules, and registration, visit abop.us/abop-in-la.

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EDITOR’S NOTEABOP-in-LA 2026 Events | June 23–27

Workshop — Conductors Workshop
Focus: Orchestral percussion section—instruments, personnel, and logistical considerations. An opportunity for conductors to learn about the heartbeat and rhythm section of the orchestra: mallets and sound production, ensemble dynamics, duties of a principal, optimal set-up, and more.
When: Friday, June 26, 7:00 PM–9:00 PM
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Altadena, 2775 Lincoln Ave., Altadena, CA 91001
*Parking lot and street parking available.
Who: Free and open to all, especially conductors.
Register FREE: Eventbrite

 

Concert — ABOP, ICYOLA & LLSO
Focus: The Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP), Inner City Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (ICYOLA), and Loyola Law School Orchestra (LLSO) join forces for a free concert featuring more than a dozen compositions with percussion. The program includes works by Beethoven, Dvorák, Elgar, Kodály, Prokofiev, Schuman, Tchaikovsky, and more—plus a world premiere by USC composition student Bakhari Nokuri.
When: Saturday, June 27, 7:00 PM–8:30 PM
Where: Beckmen YOLA Center, 101 South La Brea Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301
*Parking available in the city lot/garage directly behind the center.
Who: Free and open to all.
Reserve free tickets: Eventbrite

Browse and reserve tickets for all ABOP-in-LA 2026 events: Eventbrite

 

Special thanks to ABOP’s sponsors and supporters:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Ella Fitzgerald Foundation, Batterie Music, Black Swamp Percussion, Cooperman, Freer Percussion, Insoundmallets, Majestic Percussion, Malletech, Marimba One, Remo, Sabian, Vic Firth, and Zildjian.

 

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About ABOP
ABOP is a non-profit providing professional development to young and emerging Black percussionists seeking a career in symphonic percussion. Through comprehensive training and mentorship, ABOP prepares Black percussionists for the concert stage, thereby changing the future face of symphonic orchestras nationwide. Classical musicians of color rarely have colleagues who look like them. ABOP aims to promote social change by increasing the number of highly trained Black percussionists. Regardless of age, gender, socio-economic status, or geographic location, ABOP’s goal is to lift Black percussionists through a program of instruction, workshops, and performance opportunities.

Learn more about ABOP’s core philosophies, founding background, and history, or dive deeper into our Mentorship Program by visiting our website: www.abop.us

 

About ABOP Protégés
ABOP Protégés are members of ABOP’s Mentorship Program, open to Black percussionists of any age seeking training and support in pursuing a career in orchestral percussion. Students, pre-professionals, and professionals are prepared and guided to the next step in their musical careers by qualified and experienced percussionists in the field (ABOP Mentors). Program benefits are provided at no cost to Protégés.

Protégés are accepted each year on a rolling basis, pending program funding. Based on the Protégé’s skills upon entry, Mentors work with Protégés over time to develop the skills and focus required of professional players. ABOP will work with the Protégés’ current musical activities to complement and enhance their development. Protégés will be encouraged not only to learn but to teach and mentor. The aim is to cumulatively grow a professionally trained cohort of Black musicians who can support each other and nurture newcomers.

An important focus of the ABOP Mentorship is to develop the whole person—not just a skilled musician, but a compassionate, well-rounded, and responsible individual, prepared for today’s tasks and tomorrow’s challenges. ABOP counsels and encourages the protégés in fulfilling educational goals, and nurtures and models behaviors that are key to being successful both in life and work. To learn more, click here.