Interplay Orchestra’s Youth Program

IML Grant Winner
Emily Park, Executive Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Interplay Orchestra

Interplay Orchestra has been awarded a Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation and Research Grant to launch its Youth Program, an initiative designed to provide children and teens with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities with inclusive opportunities for music education and performance. Founded 36 years ago, Interplay Orchestra is a fully inclusive ensemble of adult musicians with disabilities, dedicated to enriching the lives of its members through weekly rehearsals at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland, and virtually via Zoom. Interplay’s Youth Program will extend Interplay’s inclusive model to young musicians, offering ensemble-based instruction in percussion, and eventually woodwind, brass, and string instruments. Beyond building musical skills, the program emphasizes socialization, confidence, and belonging, providing young participants with the chance to perform publicly and demonstrate their abilities. Unlike a traditional music therapy program, Interplay’s Youth Program prioritizes artistic and educational outcomes, preparing students for public performances and fostering lifelong engagement in music. This initiative addresses a significant gap in the greater Washington, D.C., area, offering an affordable, inclusive, and performance-focused ensemble experience for youth with disabilities.

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