The Florida Youth Orchestra (FYO) received one of the highest local honors for its extensive music education initiatives by being the recipient of the 2016 Broward Cultural Division Arts Forever! Award. This honor, bestowed Wednesday night at an event at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, is given yearly to the organization that displays exceptional service and outstanding commitment to arts education.
FYO offers music training to nearly 400 children and young adults in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties who perform in 7 separate orchestra and ensemble groups. Additionally, the organization instructs more than 500 children through STEPS (Students Transformed through Education and Performance Skills) an after-school outreach project in Title I schools.
“FYO is a perfect example of real leadership in arts education within our community. Their dedication to people of all ages and abilities is truly inspirational and encompasses what ArtsEd Forever! is all about,” said Jodi Jeffreys-Tanner, First Vice Chair, Broward Cultural Council, Vice Chair, Arts Education Committee.
FYO is currently in its 28th season. During its history, the organization has had more than 20,000 students, ages 5-18, pass through its doors, leaving with new life changing musical abilities.
“We are honored to receive this years Arts Forever! Award from the Broward Cultural Division,” said Myra Weaver, The Florida Youth Orchestra’s President. “This recognition is validation from the arts community that our mission to enhance a child’s social, mental and academic empowerment through music is an investment in the future of South Florida.”
The next major event for the FYO will be on Sunday, April 17th, when the Orchestra presents its “Where the Wild Things Are” concert at ZooMiami.
About the Florida Youth Orchestra
The FYO consists of 390 students from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, between 5 and 18 years of age, who learn music by participating in seven orchestra divisions under the guidance of 23 faculty members. The FYO also engages another 500 children from low income areas in South Florida as part of its STEP (Students Transformed through Education and Performance Skills) program. The overall goal of FYO is to develop musical skill, increase self-esteem, and enhance our community with spectacular music performance. Visit the Florida Youth Orchestra website at: floridayouthorchestra.org
