Formerly the Cornelius Youth Orchestras, the North Carolina Youth Orchestra is a non-profit youth music education institution for elementary to high school aged students with a complete portfolio of program offerings from beginning classes to full orchestras. The NCYO seeks to elevate and educate student musicians by fulfilling its dual mission of providing music education and orchestral performing opportunities for youth while simultaneously serving the community at large as a performing arts organization hosting concerts, live music, and other events.

We aim to provide each and every student that comes to us with an open door to begin receiving an excellent education, a clear path forward to progress on their instruments, and a variety of performing opportunities to showcase and further develop their skillsets. The NCYO accomplishes this by bringing youth musicians of all backgrounds together and connecting them with some of our state’s best musicians and educators, creating life-changing opportunity for the next generation of musicians.

The North Carolina Youth Orchestra programs include weekly instruction, as well as performing opportunities throughout the season. All rehearsals and classes are held at Bailey Middle School in Cornelius, North Carolina.