PMAY Artists’ Initiative
Training young musicians for the future
The PMAY Artists’ Initiative is a collaborative that supports current 5th-12th grade students from underrepresented communities with tools to pursue their dream of becoming professional classical musicians. The PMAY Artists’ Initiative will offer students financial support to make lessons, music classes, youth orchestra participation, and summer music camps affordable.
PMAY Artists' Initiative Website
The PMAY Artists’ Initiative is meant to address a major issue in American classical music. Less than 5% of musicians in professional American orchestras are African American or Latino, and the numbers of South Asians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives are similarly low. Yet the cities that support these orchestras are racially and ethnically diverse places. The PMAY Artists’ Initiative will select a group of 75 young musicians, the first class of PMAY Artists, who will eventually change the face of classical music.
The PMAY Artists’ Initiative is designed for serious music students who have a high musical aptitude and the motivation to pursue a professional music career on a standard orchestral instrument.
- Students currently in grades 4-11 may audition
Eligible instruments include:
- Violin, viola, cello and double bass
- Flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon
- Trumpet, French horn, trombone and tuba
- Percussion
- Harp
This program is open only to orchestral instrumentalists. Applications for piano, saxophone, guitar and voice students will not be accepted.
The PMAY Artists’ Initiative is a collaboration among nine Philadelphia organizations that believe in providing access to music education for all students. PMAY Artists may work closely with one or many of these organizations and their programs, based on the individual needs and goals of the Artists. The organizations are:
- Musicopia
- Philadelphia Sinfonia
- PYO Music Institute
- Project 440
- School District of Philadelphia Office of Music Education
- Settlement Music School
- Temple University Music Preparatory Division
- The Philadelphia Orchestra
Questions? Please email Najib Wong, PMAY Artists’ Inititiative Director, at najib.wong@pmayartists.org
Who We Are
Our highly credentialed and dedicated faculty bring years of professional experience to the classroom, customizing their approach to provide exceptional training for our students.
Our Branches
Our six branches serve the Greater Philadelphia region, ensuring that excellence in arts education is available to all, regardless of location.
Forms & Documents
Find all of your school resources here.