Andres F Lopera, Trombone, Colombia I am a musician from a little town in Colombia called Donmatias. I am a person who is constantly moved by the power of imagination and creation and I believe that a good idea can change the world. Youth Orchestra of the Americas - a great idea - has been one of the most important steps in my life. I met them in Medellin, Colombia in 2005 and since then I always dreamed to be part of it. Finally in 2008 I became part of this great community of musicians and good people from all over the Americas who are trying to make a difference in the world trough music. It made me realize how our whole continent is changing at the rhythm of music. YOA encouraged me to affect a change. I worked for 7 years with La Red de Escuelas de Musica of Medellin, Colombia. This program made me realize the importance of bringing orchestral music to people who don’t have the opportunities to be in touch with it, and understand the beauty and power that this music involves. In Colombia I formed a chamber vocal ensemble called Folia Chorale to promote and cultivate the Latin American choral repertoire internationally. This past autumn I formed The Austin Camerata, a chamber orchestra of young musicians from the Austin area, created to enrich the lives of musicians and audiences in the city by providing quality and varied performances of orchestral works.  35 enthusiastic musicians are part of this project – people who are full of love for music. Thank you YOA.

Bruno Lourensetto, Trumpet, Brazil I am a trumpet teacher and brass instructor in a music school called ASSATEMEC in my hometown, Itu - a small town near to Sao Paulo. Even though I moved to Sao Paulo to study music at University, each week I would continue to go back to Itu to teach music. I formed a partnership with ASSATEMEC, an NGO, which supports the teaching of music to kids in low-income communities. One of the conditions for participation is that these kids be enrolled in a regular school getting knowledge about subjects like Mathematics, History, and Portuguese, in order to be able to apply to the program. The main objective of my work was to keep these children off the streets after school, to prevent them from being involved in bad things. I stayed teaching these students from 2004 to 2008, when I moved to Mississippi to get my Master's Degree. Even still, every time that I go back to Brazil, I visit the school bringing new materials, giving performances and lessons, and just reconnecting with my young friends who are all still in the program. Through my own education and through all that I have gained in YOA, I will bring back more hope and strength to this program, and to continue using music in my hometown as a tool for keeping children off of the streets.

Isaac Casal, Cello, Panamá In the year 2003, I applied to Youth Orchestra of the Americas and went on my first tour. My life would never be the same again. YOA helped me to realize that I could live my dream. YOA was the institution that taught me that music can make miracles. . Meeting lots of great musicians from all over the Americas, from Canada to Patagonia in Argentina and learning about their societies, political views, religions, and different languages was beautiful. More beautiful was that it did not matter that our backgrounds were different or if we agreed or not, music was our language and we were able to communicate through it, and together, be one and make a difference…  This year, I decided to start making a difference and create something new in Panamá where I could give back to my country and share this language of unity with others. I started a program were the youth of Panamá could have the same opportunities as others in well structured and cultured societies. This year (May 2007) we started the first annual national music festival, Alfredo de Saint-Malo Music Festival of Panamá, a week-long festival that unites all the music institutions in Panamá and involves government and private entities. Now I can say that I am living my dream, and I am giving others the opportunity to believe in music and believe in making a difference.

Maria Jimena Lovon Hidalgo, Violin, Perú   What makes this orchestra so special is the young spirit that never dies, wanting to play better every day, our collective goals and ideas, and above all the single heart that colors each note of every concert we play. If one listens carefully to this orchestra, you will find this magic I speak of, a “magic” I felt in having all these countries and cultures on stage with Plácido Domingo, Yo-Yo Ma, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Gustavo Dudamel, and the other great artists who perform with Youth Orchestra of the Americas.  During the 5 years I’ve been a member of the orchestra I have learned many things and I realized that all the experiences I’ve gone through while in YOA will never leave my mind, because there are so many emotions and stages in my life that were marked by the orchestra, and because of this I doubt it will ever lose its place in my heart.  I thank God for allowing me to participate in this great mission.

Nicolás Giorgano, Violin, Uruguay I will always remember, while staying in Montevideo, we went to play at a school of a low-income neighborhood. And realizing that the children’s orchestra was still rehearsing in Uruguay, I made the connection between YOA and them and had an incredible day in which we played for each other (two chamber groups from YOA), and gave lessons to the kids. They also played for us and YOA invited the whole crew of children to attend our concert of the following day. Until today I hear the young kids saying “I want to be like Emma Murley, the sound of her trumpet was great”; or “Shelby’s sound was amazing; maybe I will try to bow like her. I hope I can play in such an orchestra one day”. That was the impact of only one day of interaction, and a lesson on how music can change the life of people in just a few moments. After this completely improvised gathering, I realized the power I had in my hands. I found myself in the posture of a “leader” with all the responsibility I had towards the kids of my country. The inspiration that the outreach programs of YOA represented, and my experience with the kids in Uruguay, pushed me to create a youth music program called Sembrando Talentos (Scattering Talents), that brings together youth from low income areas of Montevideo as well as youth from distant areas of Maldonado and Durazno (provinces of Uruguay), to rehearse and take music lessons from distinguished Uruguayan musicians who come to the country either to perform with the professional orchestras and to teach by playing with the youngsters of Sembrando talentos small chamber orchestra.

Joshua Pantoja, French Horn, Puerto Rico I recently had the opportunity to share my musical knowledge in Manizales, a city known for its festivals in the Department of Caldas, Colombia. I participated as a member of the Horn Faculty (French horn) representing Puerto Rico and YOA in the Third Manizales Horn Festival. Many of these students traveled more than eight hours in public transportation in order to take classes with guest professors and be a part of this festival. They are passionate about music and it is exciting and impressive to know that they traveled miles to take classes with the professors and learn from us and our experiences in music. Many of the students do not have music teachers or professors in their communities, so they have to wait all year in order to participate in this festival. Needless to say, teaching in the festival was very special for me, full of emotions that have changed my life for the better. There is nothing better than helping others without expecting anything in exchange. There is nothing better than helping when there is a need. These events are the ones we should be supporting, positive events that bring good and improve the human race.