National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America

Each summer, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI) brings together the brightest young players from across the country to form the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), a free program for all participants. Following a comprehensive audition process and a multi-week training residency with leading professional orchestra musicians, these remarkable teenagers embark on a tour to some of the great music capitals of the world while serving as dynamic music ambassadors.

In summer 2025, the ensemble gathers from July 5 to August 7 and will be joined by conductor Gianandrea Noseda and violinist Ray Chen on a tour of Asia, including NYO-USA’s debut in Japan.

Ages: 16–19
Available for Young Musicians: Nationally
Season: Summer Program

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Meet the Orchestra NYO-USA Details Follow NYO-USA Upcoming Events More NYO Ensembles Supporters
Male and female musicians of NYO-USA pose together with their instruments at Carnegie Hall
Meet the Orchestra
Meet the extraordinary young musicians of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States (NYO-USA).
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Welcome to Montevideo! | NYO-USA Tour Postcard

On their first tour stop in 2024, the young musicians explored the capital of Uruguay—Montevideo—before performing at the Auditorio Nacional del Sodre.

NYO-USA Details

Application Information

Each year, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) invites young musicians ages 16–19 to audition for its summer season.
Guest Artists & Faculty
NYO-USA musicians are led by a stellar faculty of leading players from America’s top orchestras and perform with world-class guest artists.
Past Seasons
Discover highlights and favorite moments from past NYO-USA seasons.

Follow NYO-USA

Follow NYO-USA on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Upcoming Events

Carnegie Hall Presents

National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America

7 PM Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage

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More National Youth Ensemble Information

NYO2
NYO2 is an intensive summer training program for outstanding young musicians ages 14–16.
NYO Jazz
Each summer, gifted young jazz musicians ages 16–19 come together as NYO Jazz to train with and learn from world-class jazz masters.
NYO Alumni

Discover accomplishments of alums, who have gone on to join some of the country’s top orchestras and ensembles.
Lead Donors: Hope and Robert F. Smith; The Kovner Foundation; and Beatrice Santo Domingo.
Global Ambassadors: Michael ByungJu Kim and Kyung Ah Park, Hope and Robert F. Smith, and Maggie and Richard Tsai.
Pershing Square Foundation
Major funding has been provided by Ronald E. Blaylock and Petra Pope, Lorraine Buch Fund for Young Artists, Clive and Anya Gillinson, Pershing Square Philanthropies, Melanie and Jean E. Salata, JMCMRJ Sorrell Foundation, and the Victor and William Fung Foundation.
United Airlines
United Airlines®, Airline Partner to the National Youth Ensembles.
Additional funding has been provided by the Sarah Arison, The Jack Benny Family Foundation, and Mary I. and John E. Hull.
Blavatnik Family Foundation
Founder Patrons; Blavatnik Family Foundation; Nicola and Beatrice Bulgari; The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation; Marina Kellen French and the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation; The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Family Foundation; Ronald O. Perelman; Robertson Foundation; Beatrice Santo Domingo; Hope and Robert F. Smith; Sarah Billinghurst Solomon and Howard Solomon; and Joan and Sanford I. Weill and the Weill Family Foundation.

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