About

 

“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

 

TELL ME ABOUT YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS!

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.

IS THIS ORGANIZATION NECESSARY?

Actually it is not easy even for an extraordinary artist to have the chance to be heard just because they are so gifted. Young Concert Artists does everything to open the doors to the international concert world by providing management services, important debuts and performing experience.

HOW ARE THE YCA ARTISTS CHOSEN?

Each YCA Artist has been chosen as a Winner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, which differ in an important way from Competitions. The participants are competing against a standard of excellence – not each other. There is no specified limit to the number of artists who can win.

WHAT DOES YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS PROVIDE?

THE TWO YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS SERIES:

YCA artists are presented in the prestigious Young Concert Artists Series in New York and Washington, in recital and concerto debuts with orchestra.

MANAGEMENT:

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

EDUCATION:

YCA artists bring their exciting music-making and youthful enthusiasm to young audiences through our Annaliese Soros Educational Residency Program. Each year, YCA artists give hundreds of lecture-demonstrations, mini-concerts and master-classes 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 the YCA Composer Program which forges collaborations between YCA’s young performers and composers.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS’  FAMOUS ALUMNI?

Alumni include violinists Pinchas Zukerman, Ani Kavafian, Ida Kavafian, and Chee-Yun; pianists Murray Perahia, Emanuel Ax, Richard Goode, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Christopher O’Riley, Jeremy Denk and Olli Mustonen; flutists Paula Robison and Eugenia Zukerman; the Tokyo, St. Lawrence and Borromeo String Quartets; cellists Fred Sherry and Carter Brey; soprano Dawn Upshaw.