2024 Impact Report

OUR MISSION

 

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.

OUR MISSION

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.

Our History

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 advocating for social equity in the arts–setting a standard for choral education through artistic excellence and a child-focused, inclusive approach.

Dear Friends,

 

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 equal access to our programs, ensuring socioeconomic background is 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 impact 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,

Francisco J. Nunez
YPC Founder/Artistic Director
Michael Fraccaro
Board Chair

Meet our Board

Board of Trustees

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

Vikram Atal
President and CEO, PRA Group, Inc.

Nancy Bloom
Ex-Officio

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

Adam Chinn
Co-Founder, LiveArtX; Co-Founder & Co-Chairman Live Art

Juliene Corbe
Citi Bank

Carolina Esquenazi-Shaio
Principal, Compass Global Investments, Partner, Agroindustrias Maned

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

A. Jerry Kremer
Chairman Emeritus

Jane Moss
Former Artistic Director, Lincoln Center

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

Meet our Team

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.

ARTISTIC + PROGRAMMING

ADMINISTRATIVE

YPC believes that all families–regardless of financial circumstance–deserve equal access to arts education.That’s why we provide full or partial tuition scholarships to any family who requests it, no questions asked. This philosophy ensures that our families are treated with dignity and that financial stigma is never a barrier, enabling YPC to function as an inclusive home for children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. This ethos is intrinsic to YPC and is palpable in all of our endeavors.

our programs

YPC’s curriculum and teaching methodology features a global repertoire that celebrates the rich plurality of cultural heritages that defines 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 tenant choral programs.

Over 450 choristers, ages 8-18, participate in YPC’s highly acclaimed core after-school program, learning music literacy, vocal techniques, performance skills, and choreography. They rehearse one to three times per week for two hours and give over 120 performances a year on some of the world’s most prestigious stages including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and television guest spots like The Today Show and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Performance choristers also tour across the USA and internationally. In Summer 2023, 100 choristers traveled to South Korea to compete in the World Choir Games where we were named Champions of the World. In Summer 2024, YPC choristers ventured to New Zealand to defend their title in the World Choir Games, bringing home 5 gold medals and another Champions of the World title in the pop category.
Through a partnership with the New York City Department of Education, YPC conductors travel to 20 New York City public schools to bring music education to over 1,400 elementary and middle school students. Most of our school partners are Title 1 schools with little budget for artistic programming. YPC subsidizes, on average, 75% of its School Choruses program costs, and students do not pay to participate. YPC conductors and accompanists use a specially- created songbook to share a common curriculum in classrooms across the city, engaging children in an intensive learning experience that builds their musical skills and contributes to their social-emotional development.
YPC engages 150 young people through its after-school Community Choruses in Washington Heights and Upper Manhattan through partnerships with the Goddard Riverside Community Center and Fort Washington Collegiate Church. In this way, YPC carries its music directly to city neighborhoods, particularly in areas with large English language learner and immigrant populations. Each season, YPC’s Community Choruses perform in local community events and join the Performances Choruses for winter and spring concerts at prestigious New York City venues.

Beyond the notes

YPC offers more than a world-class music education. Through its College Bound and Career Exploration initiatives, YPC collaborates with experts, specialists, admissions officers, 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.

College BOUND

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 3-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. Empire Edge 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 guides 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 also 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.

College BOUND

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 3-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. Empire Edge 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 guides 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 also 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.

Careers and Life-Skills Initiatives

YPC is dedicated to nurturing the whole child and providing pathways to success through the arts. 

MASTERCARD GIRLS4TECH

Through G4T, girls learn about the ways STEM fields can address and provide solutions for community-based issues. They also are 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 5-week course for high school students interested in learning about and creating a career pathway to 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) was created to empower YPC’s female-identifying choristers and alumnae by encouraging mentoring relationships with accomplished women from a wide variety of professions. An array of WIT programming – such as one-on-one mentoring, networking opportunities, seminars and the annual WIT Conference – ensures that YPC choristers and alumnae, who are already on track to attend college, also have the information and resources to thrive in their careers and in professional relationships in the future. 

MINDFULNESS IN PERFORMANCE

Taking an iterative approach to our work has been especially important post-pandemic as our choristers’ mental health has taken center stage. As a result, we have initiated a more formal focus on mindfulness, building wellness checks into each rehearsal and providing workshops that teach young people to incorporate mindfulness into their musical practice.

Careers and Life-Skills Initiatives

YPC is dedicated to nurturing the whole child and providing pathways to success through the arts. 

MASTERCARD GIRLS4TECH

Through G4T, girls learn about the ways STEM fields can address and provide solutions for community-based issues. They also are 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 5-week course for high school students interested in learning about and creating a career pathway to 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) was created to empower YPC’s female-identifying choristers and alumnae by encouraging mentoring relationships with accomplished women from a wide variety of professions. An array of WIT programming – such as one-on-one mentoring, networking opportunities, seminars and the annual WIT Conference – ensures that YPC choristers and alumnae, who are already on track to attend college, also have the information and resources to thrive in their careers and in professional relationships in the future. 

MINDFULNESS IN PERFORMANCE

Taking an iterative approach to our work has been especially important post-pandemic as our choristers’ mental health has taken center stage. As a result, we have initiated a more formal focus on mindfulness, building wellness checks into each rehearsal and providing workshops that teach young people to incorporate mindfulness into their musical practice.

Vocal Programs

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. 

Vocal Programs

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. 

Who we serve

YPC’s choristers and repertoire reflect the rich cultural pluralism of NYC, and we believe that every chorister (and staff and audience member) benefits from the diversity of our ensembles. More than 70% of YPC choristers come from historically underrepresented backgrounds, and our choristers represent 75% of NYC council districts. YPC staff speak 10 languages, and we sing songs in languages including English, Czech, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, and more. Through our performances, we share musical experiences that inspire joy and social connection for people of all backgrounds and ages.

YPC ON tOUR

“YPC has been able to open up opportunities that I never would have been able to experience.
– Sarah, age 17

YPC annual tours provide choristers the unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves into new cultures, exposing them to the musical nuances of other states and countries. During these life-changing opportunities, young people learn about more than just music, gaining an understanding for other culture’s history, language, etiquette and food. Choristers also gain a sense of pride in being able to represent the United States, and learn to proudly, yet respectfully, represent their home country while leaving space for the experience of others. YPC invites approximately 100 young people to participate in tours each year based on their age and tenure in the chorus, and never turns away any child due to financial need. Past tour destinations have included California, Colorado, North Carolina, South Korea, China, Japan, Spain, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Mexico. YPC has an exciting line up of tours scheduled at upcoming festivals and celebrations around the world, including Japan in July 2025.

Transforming Futures

How YPC Impacts Over

2,000

Young Lives Every Year Through

Music, Education, and Opportunity.

Our FINANCIALS

FY 2023: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

WE THANK OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS

Join our growing list of corporate sponsors 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

Thank you to our supporters who make our work possible.

 

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Ways to give

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.