The Young People’s Chorus of New York City’s mission is to provide children of all cultural and economic backgrounds with a unique music education program and choral performance that seeks to fulfill each child’s potential while creating a model of artistic excellence and diversity that enriches the community.
The Young People’s Chorus of New York City’s mission is to provide children of all cultural and economic backgrounds with a unique music education program and choral performance that seeks to fulfill each child’s potential while creating a model of artistic excellence and diversity that enriches the community.
Founded by Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, a MacArthur Fellow, YPC is an award-winning multicultural youth chorus that serves over 2,000 New York City children (ages 8-18) annually. Growing up in New York City in the 1970s, Núñez, who is Latino/Haitian, experienced segregation and inequality firsthand. For him, music opened doors to new places, friendships, and opportunities; and he created YPC to leverage music as an equalizing force to bring children together from all backgrounds. YPC not only provides unparalleled musical training, performance opportunities, and pathways to higher education, it also creates a space where young people feel safe and supported as they develop their talents, skills, and life-long friendships.
Today, YPC is a leader in creating pathways to success through the arts–setting a standard for choral education through artistic excellence and a child-focused, inclusive approach.
The Young People’s Chorus continues to grow and thrive in our mission to bring diverse young voices together, elevate joy, and build a more inclusive, empathetic society.
From captivating performances to Master Classes taught by iconic artists and transformative educational workshops, we have strived to empower the next generation of leaders in the arts and beyond.
With your continued support and belief in our mission, we have been able to provide children of all backgrounds access to our programs, ensuring financial circumstances are never a barrier to participation. Your contributions have fueled 2,000 young people’s growth as musicians, learners, and global citizens.
As we reflect on our past achievements and look ahead to exciting opportunities on the horizon, we are filled with gratitude for each and every one of you who has been a part of our journey.
Your commitment to the development of young talent is what drives us forward and inspires us to reach new heights.
We invite you to delve into the annual report below which highlights the key accomplishments and future aspirations of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.
Thank you for your partnership. We look forward to the future with optimism knowing that with your support, we can achieve even greater success.
With gratitude,
Michael Fraccaro, Chair
Chief People Officer, Mastercard
Philip H. Lovett, Board Vice-Chair
Principal and Founding Partner, Millennium Partners
Francisco J. Núñez, President
Founder/Artistic Director, YPC
Jane Moss, Treasurer
Former Artistic Director, Lincoln Center
Carolina Esquenazi-Shaio, Secretary
Principal, Compass Global Investments, Partner, Agroindustrias Maned
Adam Chinn, Former Chairman
Co-Founder, LiveArtX; Co-Founder & Co-Chairman Live Art
Vikram Atal
President and CEO, PRA Group, Inc.
Lucrecia Borgonovo
Chief Talent and Organizational Effectiveness Officer, Mastercard
Brad Blackmon
President, Hawkeye: A Publicis Digital Experience Agency
Royce Chen
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Medical Center
Juliene Corbe
Citi Bank
Aneesa Folds, YPC Alumna
Broadway Actor, Singer, Rapper
Lindsay Forbes
Attorney
Francis J. Harvey Jr.
Attorney
J.B. Harrison
Retired Marketing Consultant
Martin Kehoe
Retired Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Robert Neis
President and CEO, E.T. Browne Drug Company
Hiroko Onoyama
Former Vice-President, Sony Corporation – America
Cosmo Roe
Partner, Goldman Sachs
Jody Steinglass
Owner and Founder, Empire Edge
Marc Suskin, YPC Counsel
Partner, Cooley LLP
Lisa Tepper
Area Executive Vice President, Arthur J. Gallagher
Evan Trost, YPC Alumnus
Wealth Manager, BE9 Investments
Jeremy Wladis
President and Owner, The Restaurant Group
Adam Zirkin
Partner and Senior Analyst, Knighthead Capital Management
Nancy Bloom
Ex-Officio
YPC instructors and staff mirror the great diversity of New York City. Our faculty of professional teaching artists hold advanced degrees in music and education, and design a diverse musical repertoire that reflects the spirit of YPC.
At YPC, we believe every child deserves a path to music education. We provide scholarships to any child in need, ensuring financial barriers never prevent a child from exploring music and pursuing their dreams. We also go beyond tuition scholarships, covering the cost of childrens’ travel, snacks, custom tailored costumes, and more, to ensure that YPC functions as an inclusive home for children from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
YPC’s comprehensive curriculum features a global repertoire that celebrates the rich cultural heritages that define New York City. As students learn new compositions from various time periods, cultures, languages, and genres—ranging from folk and pop music to jazz and classical—they engage in classroom discussions with conductors to understand the history and context of each song. This process deepens their understanding and respect for different people and cultures. This methodology is diffused through YPC’s three choral programs, which give over 120 performances a year on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Lincoln Center, The Met Opera, the New York Philharmonic, and television guest spots like The Today Show and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting.
YPC offers more than a world-class music education. Through our College Bound and career exploration initiatives, we collaborate with education specialists and corporations to provide choristers with up to 100 hours of academic enrichment, college- and career-readiness, and life-skills development. These programs are designed to empower young people to discover their personal goals, navigate the college application process, and cultivate confidence and resilience in life.
YPC’s College Bound Program offers a range of academic services–all free of charge–to Performance Chorus participants at its home rehearsal studio. To date, 100% of seniors have graduated high school on time and gained acceptance to colleges of their choice. Highlights of YPC’s College Bound Program include:
SAT/ACT Prep
Through our partnership with Empire Edge Tutoring, YPC juniors choose to take part in an eight-week series of three-hour sessions in math, verbal reasoning, and test-taking strategies focused on either the ACT or SAT.
SUBJECT TUTORING
YPC provides one-on-one tutoring to any child for any subject they struggle with at school. Professional tutors create an individualized program for each student and work to create a personal connection to the subject matter, bolstering students’ mastery of the material and confidence in their knowledge.
Common App Boot Camp
YPC engages admissions consultants to present this workshop in which they advise choristers on strategies for creating a strong college application and guide them in filling out the Common Application form with special emphasis on leveraging their YPC experience in the “Activities” section.
COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOPS
Admission consultants lead a series of group and individual workshops to help YPC juniors and seniors write personal essays for their college applications.
College Admissions Guidance and Counseling
YPC hosts representatives from the admissions offices of various institutions, such as Columbia University, Fordham University, Howard University, and Ithaca College to speak with our juniors, seniors, and their parents about matriculating into college and address their questions about admissions processes.
YPC’s College Bound Program offers a range of academic services–all free of charge–to Performance Chorus participants at its home rehearsal studio. To date, 100% of seniors have graduated high school on time and gained acceptance to colleges of their choice. Highlights of YPC’s College Bound Program include:
SAT/ACT Prep
Through our partnership with Empire Edge Tutoring, YPC juniors choose to take part in an eight-week series of three-hour sessions in math, verbal reasoning, and test-taking strategies focused on either the ACT or SAT.
SUBJECT TUTORING
YPC provides one-on-one tutoring to any child for any subject they struggle with at school. Professional tutors create an individualized program for each student and work to create a personal connection to the subject matter, bolstering students’ mastery of the material and confidence in their knowledge.
Common App Boot Camp
YPC engages admissions consultants to present this workshop in which they advise choristers on strategies for creating a strong college application and guide them in filling out the Common Application form with special emphasis on leveraging their YPC experience in the “Activities” section.
COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOPS
Admission consultants lead a series of group and individual workshops to help YPC juniors and seniors write personal essays for their college applications.
College Admissions Guidance and Counseling
YPC hosts representatives from the admissions offices of various institutions, such as Columbia University, Fordham University, Howard University, and Ithaca College to speak with our juniors, seniors, and their parents about matriculating into college and address their questions about admissions processes.
Through workshops, internships and conferences, YPC nurtures the whole child and provides pathways to success beyond the arts.
MASTERCARD GIRLS4TECH
Through G4T, girls learn about the ways STEM fields can address and provide solutions for community-based issues. Choristers are also introduced to a wide range of STEM professions like Cryptologists, Fraud Detectives, Data Scientists and Design Engineers.
PwC FINANCIAL LITERACY
As part of the Earn Your Future curriculum, PricewaterhouseCoopers volunteers lead our choristers through a series of Financial Literacy workshops.
UNIVERSAL GROUP MUSIC “BONUS TRACKS”
Bonus Tracks is a five-week course for high school students interested in learning about careers in the music industry. Choristers learn what it takes to run a modern record label and music entertainment company from A&R , marketing and publicity to streaming, business and legal affairs. Choristers also have exclusive speaker sessions with different Universal Music Group executives, work on group projects and have networking opportunities throughout the course.
WOMEN INSPIRING TOMORROW (WIT)
Women Inspiring Tomorrow (WIT) empowers YPC’s female-identifying choristers and alumnae by fostering mentoring relationships with accomplished women across various professions. Through programs like one-on-one mentoring, networking opportunities, seminars, and the semi-annual WIT Conference, WIT ensures that YPC choristers and alumnae not only prepare for college but are also equipped with the tools and resources to thrive in their careers and professional relationships.
MINDFULNESS IN PERFORMANCE
In an age of constant screen time and social isolation, prioritizing in-person connections, joy and mental well-being has never been more crucial. Post-pandemic, we’ve taken an iterative approach to our work, placing a strong emphasis on mental health. To support this, we’ve integrated mindfulness practices into our rehearsals, with wellness checks at every session and workshops designed to help young people incorporate mindfulness into their musical practice. This focus ensures that our choristers not only nurture their talents but also their emotional and mental resilience.
Through workshops, internships and conferences, YPC nurtures the whole child and provides pathways to success beyond the arts.
MASTERCARD GIRLS4TECH
Through G4T, girls learn about the ways STEM fields can address and provide solutions for community-based issues. Choristers are also introduced to a wide range of STEM professions like Cryptologists, Fraud Detectives, Data Scientists and Design Engineers.
PwC FINANCIAL LITERACY
As part of the Earn Your Future curriculum, PricewaterhouseCoopers volunteers lead our choristers through a series of Financial Literacy workshops.
UNIVERSAL GROUP MUSIC “BONUS TRACKS”
Bonus Tracks is a five-week course for high school students interested in learning about careers in the music industry. Choristers learn what it takes to run a modern record label and music entertainment company from A&R , marketing and publicity to streaming, business and legal affairs. Choristers also have exclusive speaker sessions with different Universal Music Group executives, work on group projects and have networking opportunities throughout the course.
WOMEN INSPIRING TOMORROW (WIT)
Women Inspiring Tomorrow (WIT) empowers YPC’s female-identifying choristers and alumnae by fostering mentoring relationships with accomplished women across various professions. Through programs like one-on-one mentoring, networking opportunities, seminars, and the semi-annual WIT Conference, WIT ensures that YPC choristers and alumnae not only prepare for college but are also equipped with the tools and resources to thrive in their careers and professional relationships.
MINDFULNESS IN PERFORMANCE
In an age of constant screen time and social isolation, prioritizing in-person connections, joy and mental well-being has never been more crucial. Post-pandemic, we’ve taken an iterative approach to our work, placing a strong emphasis on mental health. To support this, we’ve integrated mindfulness practices into our rehearsals, with wellness checks at every session and workshops designed to help young people incorporate mindfulness into their musical practice. This focus ensures that our choristers not only nurture their talents but also their emotional and mental resilience.
YPC’s voice curriculum is rooted in evidence-based voice pedagogy, and honors the importance of individual vocal needs, including vocal health, vocal production, foreign language diction, stage presence and diversity in repertoire and style. These practices combined with the core experience of our general music education programming enhance individual singer’s voices – and their sense of self beyond the notes.
PRIVATE VOCAL COACHING
All YPC choristers are eligible to receive vocal training as they prepare for upcoming events or auditions. YPC offers free audition coaching for choristers interested in applying as vocal majors for NYC’s specialized music schools and supports them through every step of the audition process, from repertoire selection, providing mock auditions, and preparing children for callbacks. Through generous funding from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, YPC is able to provide free voice lessons for approximately 30 choristers a year.
VOCAL RESOLUTIONS
Vocal Resolutions: Shaping Perceptions Through Music is an initiative by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City to use singing as a catalyst for cultural exploration and mutual understanding. Since 2015, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City has explored themes of social relevance to today’s young people: Freedom, Citizenship, Balance, and Isolation.
YPC’s voice curriculum is rooted in evidence-based voice pedagogy, and honors the importance of individual vocal needs, including vocal health, vocal production, foreign language diction, stage presence and diversity in repertoire and style. These practices combined with the core experience of our general music education programming enhance individual singer’s voices – and their sense of self beyond the notes.
PRIVATE VOCAL COACHING
All YPC choristers are eligible to receive vocal training as they prepare for upcoming events or auditions. YPC offers free audition coaching for choristers interested in applying as vocal majors for NYC’s specialized music schools and supports them through every step of the audition process, from repertoire selection, providing mock auditions, and preparing children for callbacks. Through generous funding from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, YPC is able to provide free voice lessons for approximately 30 choristers a year.
VOCAL RESOLUTIONS
Vocal Resolutions: Shaping Perceptions Through Music is an initiative by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City to use singing as a catalyst for cultural exploration and mutual understanding. Since 2015, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City has explored themes of social relevance to today’s young people: Freedom, Citizenship, Balance, and Isolation.
YPC’s choristers embody the vibrant cultural diversity of New York City, and we believe that this diversity enriches the experience of every chorister, staff member, and audience member. Over 70% of our choristers come from historically underrepresented backgrounds, hailing from every corner of the city and representing 75% of NYC council districts. Our staff speaks 10 languages, and we perform songs in a variety of languages, including English, Czech, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, and more. Through our performances, we create musical experiences that foster joy and social connection, reaching people of all backgrounds and ages.
Red Light, Green Light – School Choruses Concert
June 13, 2024
The Metropolitan Opera’s El Niño
April 23, 2024
Annual Spring Gala Benefit Concert
March 11, 2024
Carmina Burana
February 27, 2024
Emmy Award Winning, Topsy Turvy New York – Young People’s Chorus of New York City’s Holiday Special
October 30, 2023
Dead Man Walking
September 26, 2023
togetheragain
May 5, 2023
togetheragain
May 5, 2023
Dead Man Walking
September 26, 2023
Emmy Award Winning, Topsy Turvy New York – Young People’s Chorus of New York City’s Holiday Special
October 30, 2023
Carmina Burana
February 27, 2024
Annual Spring Gala Benefit Concert
March 11, 2024
The Metropolitan Opera’s El Niño
April 23, 2024
Red Light, Green Light – School Choruses Concert
June 13, 2024
YPC is harnessing new technology to expand its reach, using the digital space to inspire and empower more children worldwide. Through award-winning films and series, young voices are given a platform to express themselves, share their stories, and belong in a meaningful way. By showcasing their talents on a global stage, YPC helps children build confidence, dream big, and see that the possibilities for their future are limitless.
Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival
September 8, 2024
Urban Film Festival
August 30, 2024
Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival
August 1, 2024
Emmy Award Winning, Topsy Turvy New York – Young People’s Chorus of New York City’s Holiday Special
October 30, 2023
togetheragain
May 5, 2023
YPC is harnessing new technology to expand its reach, using the digital space to inspire and empower more children worldwide. Through award-winning films and series, young voices are given a platform to express themselves, share their stories, and belong in a meaningful way. By showcasing their talents on a global stage, YPC helps children build confidence, dream big, and see that the possibilities for their future are limitless.
togetheragain
May 5, 2023
Emmy Award Winning, Topsy Turvy New York – Young People’s Chorus of New York City’s Holiday Special
October 30, 2023
Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival
August 1, 2024
Urban Film Festival
August 30, 2024
Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival
September 8, 2024
YPC’s annual tours offer choristers the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in new cultures, represent the U.S. on the world stage, and build lifelong connections. Beyond music, they gain a deeper understanding of history, language, and global traditions. In 2023, YPC earned five gold medals and was named Champions of the World at the World Choir Games in South Korea. The following year, they defended their title in New Zealand, bringing home five more gold medals. In July 2025, YPC will tour Japan, performing at renowned festivals and expanding their international impact. These transformative experiences shape not only exceptional musicians but also compassionate, globally-minded young leaders.
How YPC Impacts Over
Young Lives Every Year Through
Music, Education, and Opportunity.
DONATE TO YPC
Support access to music education through a secure online donation, ACH transfer, or by mail. You can also become a sustaining monthly donor to provide reliable support. Visit ypc.org/donate to make your gift or download a form to mail your contribution via credit card, check, or money order. Your generosity helps us continue our mission to empower young voices.
BECOME A CORPORATE SPONSOR
Join our growing list of corporations that give back by partnering with YPC. To learn more about ways to get involved, contact our Executive Producer, Nancy Bloom at NBloom@ypc.org.
MATCHING GIFTS
Many companies have matching gifts available for their employees, retirees, board members, and their families. You may be able to double your gift if you or your spouse work for a company with a matching gift program. To find out if your company has matching gifts, please click here.
DONATE STOCK
Making a stock donation is an impactful way to support YPC and ensure equal access to music education for all children in New York City. Please call 212-289-7779 x 34 for more information
DONATE ONLINE OR VIA ACH TRANSFER
Make a secure online donation to support access to music education. Give at ypc.org/donate.
DONATE BY MAIL
Download this form and send it with your credit card information, check, or money order to Young People’s Chorus of NYC.
BECOME A CORPORATE SPONSOR
Join our growing list of corporations that give back by partnering with YPC. To learn more about ways to get involved, contact our Executive Producer, Nancy Bloom at NBloom@ypc.org.
BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR
A sustaining monthly gift provides steady reliable support that is invaluable as government divestment in arts only continues to grow. To start a monthly contribution, visit ypc.org/donate.
DONATE STOCK
Making a stock donation is an impactful way to support YPC and ensure equal access to music education for all children in New York City. Please call 212-289-7779 x 34 for more information.
MATCHING GIFTS
Many companies have matching gifts available for their employees, retirees, board members, and their families. You may be able to double your gift if you or your spouse work for a company with a matching gift program. To find out if your company has matching gifts, please click here.
info@ypc.org
Young People's Chorus of New York®
37 West 65th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10023
YOUNG PEOPLE'S CHORUS OF NEW YORK CITY 2024 | Francisco J. Núñez, Founder and Artistic Director • Elizabeth Núñez, Creative Director
