Inner City Youth Orchestra Of Los Angeles Incorporated

ICYOLA's mission is to cultivate musical expression as a vehicle for personal development and to bring to fruition the full musical and academic potential of young residents of inner-city Los Angeles.

Formed in 2009 by Conductor and Executive Director Charles Dickerson at the request of nine young African-American instrumentalists, the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles is the nation's largest orchestra dedicated to empowering youth from underserved backgrounds through music. Programs include a performance-based Orchestra Program, the ICYOLA Academy for music education and skill development, and a Drum Corps emphasizing discipline, critical thinking, and self-worth. ICYOLA serves inner-city youth in Los Angeles, with a particular focus on Black and Latinx children in communities with few comparable music programs.