LA Phil Restores YOLA Cuts for Now

The L.A. Philharmonic has secured additional funds that will enable the continuation of the YOLA program in East Los Angeles at the Torres site for the remainder of the school year. The orchestra had recently announced that rising costs in combination with fundraising difficulties necessitated cuts that would eliminate the teaching artists’ positions while dramatically reducing programs for younger students as well as rehearsal time for the older students.

The announcement had come as a surprise and engendered considerable criticism from parents, students, and other stakeholders in the program. There was also suspicion that the timing of the move was coincident with YOLA staff efforts to unionize.

In a statement to The L.A. Times on Nov. 26, LA Phil President and CEO Kim Noltemy commented, “We are thrilled our donors recognized that this funding provides vital access to music education for the East LA community.”

Since 2007 YOLA has offered a free musical education to students ages 5 through 18, with participants receiving access to free instruments and the firsthand experience of being in a musical ensemble. YOLA currently operates out of Inglewood, East L.A. (Torres), Rampart District, and Westlake/MacArthur Park. The Torres site, specifically, serves 165 students.

With new funds now available, the cuts due to take effect on Dec. 12 have been reversed, with the instruction and rehearsal time fully restored and the laid-off teaching artists reinstated for the remainder of the school year. Gustavo Dudamel, founder of YOLA, exits as the orchestra’s music director in May.

At that point the Philharmonic will evaluate the Torres site to determine if, according to a statement, it is the “best and most sustainable location for YOLA programming after this school year.” The statement affirms that the board “is committed to sustaining a long-term YOLA program in the East LA community.”

The orchestra also announced its intention to create a parent advisory committee to enable direct and clear communication about future decisions regarding the YOLA program.

Los Angeles Times 

Pictured: Kim Noltemy