Since our founding in 1961, Young Concert Artists has helped young musicians find their way onto the world’s concert stages. We celebrate 60 years of innovative career-building and artistic nurturing during the 2020-21 season, shining the spotlight on the next generation of extraordinary young musicians. YCA began in an era when young artists had nowhere to turn for guidance in a professional capacity. Having championed soloists, ensembles, and composers; YCA has now helped begin nearly 300 careers.
New Works
We’ve proudly commissioned six YCA composers to commemorate six decades. Each composition will receive its premiere performance this season! Don’t miss new works by Mason Bates (2000), Daniel Kellogg (2002), Andrew Norman (2007), Tonia Ko (2015), Katie Balch (2017), and Saad Haddad (2019)!
Conversations
Six YCA alumni and current artists will join host Kai Talim as featured guests on a Skip the Repeat podcast. Learn about the experience of these young musicians building their careers through these intimate conversations. For dates and more information, please visit skiptherepeat.libsyn.com
60 Stories for 60 Years
Throughout the year we will bring you video stories as YCA artists and alumni talk about their time on the roster, and offer tributes to Susan Wadsworth.
60th Anniversary Gala
Join us to celebrate YCA’s distinguished history and its impact on the future with an unforgettable afternoon of music and memories. A wide array of stars from YCA’s past and present will join forces to commemorate YCA founder Susan Wadsworth with a thrilling and delightful program, including two world premieres by YCA composers! More info and tickets.
Susan Wadsworth founded Young Concert Artists in 1961 and presented the first debut Series in a Greenwich Village loft, including pianists Richard Goode and Ilana Vered, violinist Sanford Allen and flutist Paula Robison. From that auspicious beginning, she built an organization, which for over 60 years has discovered and nurtured the careers of almost 300 extraordinary musicians who now enliven cultural life throughout the world. Mrs. Wadsworth has received Honorary Doctorates from the New England Conservatory, the Mannes College, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Frances Riker Davis Alumnae Award of the Brearley School. She was invited to present a concert of YCA artists at the White House for President and Mrs. Clinton, and honored by the Republic of France as a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. While earning a BA in English from Vassar College, she gave piano performances and played violin in the Vassar Orchestra. Mrs. Wadsworth has shared her musical life with the pianist and musical innovator, Charles Wadsworth, and their daughter, Rebecca.