LAYO brings together pre-college age musicians, ages 8-18, to rehearse and perform classical symphonic masterworks and contemporary music. The magic of LAYO is that it attracts both students headed to conservatories and college music programs, as well as students who love music but aspire to other careers. Combining their collective talent, intellectual curiosity, and discipline, LAYO students transcend their technical limitations to interpret and perform programs that model professional orchestras more than conventional youth orchestras.

The Ruth Borun Concert Orchestra typically performs quality arrangements of classical and contemporary music, whereas the Symphony Orchestra performs standard and contemporary repertoire much like professional orchestras.

Symphony members spend half of each rehearsal under the baton of Artistic Director and Conductor Russell Steinberg, while RBCO members are working with Assistant Conductor Jorge Padron. Each ensemble spends the other half of each rehearsal day with our professional coaches, working in their individual sections (strings, woodwinds, brass).

Ruth Borun Concert Orchestra​

Formerly known as the Concert Orchestra, the Ruth Borun Concert Orchestra was renamed in 2019 to honor the memory of Ruth, a significant patron, friend, and believer in the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra since its inception. Ruth and her husband, Dr. Raymond Borun, became the first principal donors of LAYO shortly after the orchestra began in 2000. The Ruth Borun Concert Orchestra is led by Assistant Conductor Jorge Padrón, and features our intermediate musicians performing such works as Saint-Saëns’ “Bacchanale” from Sampson and Delilah, Vivaldi’s “Summer” in a backyard during the COVID restrictions, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise”, and a performance of Williams’ “Empire Strikes Back” at Carnegie Hall.

Symphony Orchestra​

The level of the Symphony Orchestra has risen dramatically every season, attracting some of the brightest young talent from throughout Los Angeles. Reflecting this growth, the orchestra has performed standard repertoire including Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Brahms’ Symphonies No. 1 and 4, Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, and Beethoven’s Symphonies No. 1 and 3, as well as World Premieres of new works including Steinberg’s Net of Indra.

LAYO requires all students to continue taking weekly private lessons and practice daily. Membership in LAYO requires serious commitment, but the benefits are considerable.

Students dramatically improve their playing level, learn orchestra masterworks, perform in major concert halls, and even premiere new music. Every other season, they have the opportunity to participate in national and international tours. Students often find their participation in LAYO helpful in college applications.

Above all, LAYO seeks to develop a passion for music that lasts a lifetime by building a community that will be the future of culture. This community uses music to build strong friendships with like-minded students across the city. The success of LAYO alums in the arts, the sciences, and business world already attests to the power of this endeavor.

Admittance to each ensemble requires an audition.