The Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) is a multicultural youth chorus internationally renowned for its superb virtuosity, brilliant showmanship, and innovative model of artistic excellence and diversity that enriches the community. Founded by Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, a MacArthur Fellow and Musical America’s 2018 Educator of the Year, YPC’s mission and values are deeply rooted in providing children of all cultural and economic backgrounds with a unique program of music education and choral performance. It is committed to empowering its youth and providing pathways to success through the arts so that each child, no matter what race, gender, socioeconomic background, or religion can reach their full potential.
When a child becomes a part of YPC, something magical happens: They transform into more than they thought they could ever be. That’s because YPC has a secret formula, a magic key that we call The Key of Love—a practice that is reflected in the success of our choristers and the quality of our music.
Among YPC's many awards is America’s highest honor for youth programs, a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, which was presented to members of YPC at the White House. YPC also earned the distinction of “Choir of the World” in July 2018 at the International Choral Kathaumixw (Powell River, British Columbia), marking the first time a North American chorus has ever won this title in the 34-year history of Kathaumixw. In 2023, YPC won five gold medals – three as world champions – at the 12th World Choir Games, the world’s largest international choir competition. Its feature-length holiday special Topsy Turvy New York won a 66th Annual New York Emmy® Award.
The Key of Love is a practice. We work in it and at it every day.
This key has the power to unlock so much:
• Opportunity. Opening the door to a promising future a child may never have previously imagined through our scholarships.
• Community. Welcoming and embracing children from all walks of life through our mission, inspired by our founder’s lived experience.
• Potential. By encouraging and rigorously training young artists to perform at the highest level of excellence through our standard of artistic excellence.
• Possibility. Giving us the ability to create transformative educational programs, providing young people access to experience these programs found nowhere else.
• Peace & hope. Instilling a sense of belonging and optimism in our young people even during challenging times.
performances annually
children served to date
original works and arrangements commissioned by YPC
live performance audience members annually
views on youtube
of choristers participate tuition-free
college scholarships awarded to choristers to date
social media followers
Thank you to everyone who supported YPC’s 2023 Summer Tour to Korea, Japan, and Santa Barbara. These experiences give YPC’s young artists the unique enrichment of cross-cultural experiences, high-level performances, and world travel. It is truly among the greatest gifts we share with our young artists–to see the world with their YPC family!
Join us on social media to catch the recaps of our remarkable performances and highlights!
CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD
Children’s Choirs
Conducted by Elizabeth Núñez
CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD
Musica Contemporane a Equal Voices
Conducted by Elizabeth Núñez & Francisco J. Núñez
CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD
Mixed Youth Choirs
Conducted by Francisco J. Núñez
GOLD MEDAL
Scenic Folklore
Conducted by Francisco J. Núñez
GOLD MEDAL
Gospel
Conducted by Elizabeth Núñez
Thank you to everyone who supported YPC’s 2023 Summer Tour to Korea, Japan, and Santa Barbara. These experiences give YPC’s young artists the unique enrichment of cross-cultural experiences, high-level performances, and world travel. It is truly among the greatest gifts we share with our young artists–to see the world with their YPC family!
Join us on social media to catch the recaps of our remarkable performances and highlights!
CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD
Children’s Choirs
Conducted by Elizabeth Núñez
CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD
Musica Contemporane a Equal Voices
Conducted by Elizabeth Núñez & Francisco J. Núñez
CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD
Mixed Youth Choirs
Conducted by Francisco J. Núñez
GOLD MEDAL
Scenic Folklore
Conducted by Francisco J. Núñez
GOLD MEDAL
Gospel
Conducted by Elizabeth Núñez
No stage. No spotlight. No script. Just authentic, insightful conversations with renowned artists, composers, and music educators. Tune in for Out of the Vox, a YPC Short Film Series, hosted by YPC Founder & Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez.
No stage. No spotlight. No script. Just authentic, insightful conversations with renowned artists, composers, and music educators. Tune in for Out of the Vox, a YPC Short Film Series, hosted by YPC Founder & Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, the Young People's Chorus of New York City asked 15 illustrious composers to each create a short canon, a choral song, a round, that could easily be sung over Zoom. These stories represent the experiences and challenges faced by young New Yorkers, and are told through their own perspectives. Each story represents their isolation, their yearning, and their joy.
A Young People's Chorus of New York City Production | Directed by Francisco J. Núñez & Ansley Sawyer
During the Covid-19 lockdown, the Young People's Chorus of New York City asked 15 illustrious composers to each create a short canon, a choral song, a round, that could easily be sung over Zoom. These stories represent the experiences and challenges faced by young New Yorkers, and are told through their own perspectives. Each story represents their isolation, their yearning, and their joy.
A Young People's Chorus of New York City Production | Directed by Francisco J. Núñez & Ansley Sawyer
We are thrilled to announce that YPC has been named the 2-time World Champion at the prestigious World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand! With an outstanding performance in pop choreography, YPC has reclaimed the World Champion title and additionally brought home 5 gold medals in the other competing categories. Join us in celebrating YPC's Voices of Summer by checking social media for the recaps of all of YPC's performances and behind the scenes adventures in Auckland!
We are thrilled to announce that YPC has been named the 2-time World Champion at the prestigious World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand! With an outstanding performance in pop choreography, YPC has reclaimed the World Champion title and additionally brought home 5 gold medals in the other competing categories. Join us in celebrating YPC's Voices of Summer by checking social media for the recaps of all of YPC's performances and behind the scenes adventures in Auckland!
Thank you for your incredible support at our Gala Concert and Benefit Dinner! Your energy and generosity help us change young lives through music. Special thanks to Gala Honoree Zoe Kalar, YPC's Board of Trustees, guest artists Patti LuPone and Jordan Dobson, and our dedicated staff, artistic team and volunteers. Your commitment makes a difference in the lives of 2,000 children in our programs.
Thank you for your incredible support at our Gala Concert and Benefit Dinner! Your energy and generosity help us change young lives through music. Special thanks to Gala Honoree Zoe Kalar, YPC's Board of Trustees, guest artists Patti LuPone and Jordan Dobson, and our dedicated staff, artistic team and volunteers. Your commitment makes a difference in the lives of 2,000 children in our programs.
Under the direction of YPC Founder/Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez and Creative Director Elizabeth Núñez, Topsy Turvy New York is a feature-length special set to an original story by best-selling author James Patterson and co-written by author and lyricist Susan DiLallo and author Richard DiLallo.
The film captures the relief and joy of our young people as they emerge from the pandemic, filling the air with fun and inspiring holiday classics from around the world.
Under the direction of YPC Founder/Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez and Creative Director Elizabeth Núñez, Topsy Turvy New York is a feature-length special set to an original story by best-selling author James Patterson and co-written by author and lyricist Susan DiLallo and author Richard DiLallo.
The film captures the relief and joy of our young people as they emerge from the pandemic, filling the air with fun and inspiring holiday classics from around the world.
YPC Founder and Artistic Director, Francisco J. Núñez, was recently featured in a 5-part series by Humans of New York on how music changed his life. Read more about his struggle to fit in and his lifelong experiences that inspired him to create this multicultural chorus that brought a voice to the children of New York City.
YPC Founder and Artistic Director, Francisco J. Núñez, was recently featured in a 5-part series by Humans of New York on how music changed his life.
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
