"Young Concert Artists has acquired a special status in the musical world, and deservedly so. Its auditions and concerts have brought to public attention a steady stream of remarkable musicians. It is extremely doubtful that any organization anywhere could have matched the YCA record for spotting great talent and helping it along."

- THE NEW YORK TIMES

It was founded by Susan Wadsworth in 1961 as a professional non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and launching the careers of exceptional, but unknown, young musicians from all over the world.

Actually it is never easy for an extraordinary talent to have the chance to be heard just because they are so gifted. Young Concert Artists does everything possible to open the doors to the international concert world by providing management services, important debuts and performing experience at no cost to the artists.

Each YCA Artist has been chosen as a Winner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, which differ in an important way from Competitions. Each year, the participants represent a variety of instruments and voice and chamber groups. They are competing against a standard of excellence – not each other. There is no specified limit to the number of artists who can win. The Jury members’ only criteria are extraordinary talent, technique, and impact upon the listener. Many distinguished artists have served on the Jury, including Lynn Harrell, Cho-liang Lin, Robert McDuffie, Ida Kavafian, Ken Noda, Pamela Frank, Gary Graffman, Scott Nickrenz, Jorge Mester, Robert White, Ilana Vered and Paula Robison.

THE TWO YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS SERIES:

We present the Young Concert Artists Series in New York, at Zankel Hall at Carnegie with special events at Lincoln Center, and in Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center. These series present the new winners of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in their New York and Washington recital and concerto debuts.

MANAGEMENT:

We offer artist management services, booking concert engagements throughout the United States and abroad, debut recordings, publicity materials, promotion, and career development.

EDUCATION:

We educate and build new audiences through our Annaliese Soros Educational Residency Program. Each year, YCA artists give hundreds of lecture-demonstrations, mini-concerts and master-classes, and "outreach" activities at schools, colleges and community centers throughout the country in connection with their concert engagements.

COMPOSER PROGRAM:

We promote the creation and performance of new works through our Composer Program which gives YCA artists the opportunity to collaborate with a young composer also on the YCA Roster.

Among the artists who began their careers with Young Concert Artists are violinists Pinchas Zukerman, Ani Kavafian, Ida Kavafian, and Chee-Yun; pianists Murray Perahia, Emanuel Ax, Richard Goode, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Christopher O'Riley, Ruth Laredo and Olli Mustonen; flutists Paula Robison and Eugenia Zukerman; the Tokyo, St. Lawrence and Borromeo String Quartets; cellists Fred Sherry and Carter Brey; French hornists Robert Routch and Eric Ruske; trumpeter Stephen Burns; and sopranos Marvis Martin and Dawn Upshaw. Check YCA alumni for the complete list of YCA Alumni since 1961.

"Young Concert Artists is the most wonderful start to any musician's life. The young musician needs concert experience and must be able to 'practice' this constantly. This is something that YCA provides in abundance."

"It remains to be said that I owe a major portion of my progress to the efforts of Young Concert Artists...I am grateful for the purely practical benefits - the experience, exposure, and sustenance -- that came through my YCA engagements...What seems to me a still more lasting legacy, however, is that they have been so unfailing in their support of the recital tradition. For this, not only I and my predecessors on the roster, but music-lovers nationwide owe them great thanks."

"Young Concert Artists has magnificently achieved its goals by having helped so greatly, so many gifted young people...They deserve strong support in order to continue their fine work in helping still more young people who will serve us by becoming the future's great concert artists."

Magazine	"Few musicians can launch major careers simply by appearing and announcing themselves, and that is where Young Concert Artists helps. Dozens of important musicians (Murray Perahia, Emanuel Ax, Dawn Upshaw - the list goes on) can testify to the spirit of YCA, which has been discovering, nurturing and presenting young talent for the past 35 years."
	"Since 1961, Young Concert Artists has been perhaps the most important conduit for fine young performers from the conservatories into the professional world of music."
	"Selling out the Terrace Theater for a debut by an unknown musician is a regular feat for Young Concert Artists. Washingtonians have come to trust YCA as they would their savviest stockbroker."
	"During the past three decades, Young Concert Artists has given a substantial start to 131 musicians and 7 chamber-music ensembles. Although some have gained worldwide recognition, there is no doubt that they have all enriched American musical life."
	"'Of all the things in the world I have to worry about, I can check off the future of music,' President Clinton told the audience of 200 guests who had burst into a standing ovation after a tour de force performance by a group of musicians from Young Concert Artists."

 
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS:

Tax-deductible contributions from individual music lovers, and grants from corporations, foundations, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts make the work of Young Concert Artists possible.

The Young Concert Artists Endowment Fund includes specially endowed gifts which underwrite special career opportunities, concerts and artistic and educational projects. If you wish to support the activities of Young Concert Artists or to contribute to the Young Concert Artists Endowment Fund, please contact Sara Sill at Young Concert Artists.