Welcome to Youth Orchestra Salinas

Our Mission is to transform the lives of our youth and our communities through inspiration, discipline and performance of classical ensemble music.

Imagine an environment where the orchestral family replaces negative alternatives, a fun-filled atmosphere where children develop respect for others, self-discipline, cooperation, and strive for excellence, learning life skills that are the foundation for building a strong society.

Imagine the pride of every neighborhood being its youth orchestra.

Imagine a system of quality youth orchestras engaged in joyful, rigorous music making throughout Monterey County.

This vision can become reality through a collaboration of youth, families, schools, organizations and people in California and beyond.

YOSAL is an El Sistema-inspired music program for the Salinas Valley and the surrounding region. Conceptualized more than 35 years ago by Dr. Jose Antonio Abreu, his efforts ignited a revolution in the world of classical music as thousands of students from the most under served communities of Venezuela began studying music each day after school.

YOSAL instructor Camilo Ortiz meets El Sistema founder Professor Jose Antonio Abreu and LA Philharmonic Conductor Gustasvo Dudamel, a product of El Sistema Venezula at El Sistema conference (Take a Stand) in LA