The Philadelphia Music Alliance for Youth (PMAY) Artists’ Initiative...

(pronounced p-may) supports and prepares 5th-12th graders from communities that are historically excluded in classical music and those who encounter hardships to realize their musical potential and ultimately pursue their dreams of becoming professional musicians.

The PMAY Artists’ Initiative offers students financial support to make lessons, music classes, youth orchestra participation, and summer music camps affordable. Students will be able to attend free college and career preparation workshops, and PMAY teachers and staff will work with each family to make sure each musician has a strong plan to be accepted into a music conservatory, college or university music school majoring in music. 

The PMAY Artists’ Initiative long term goal is to increase diversity in America’s professional musical landscape, particularly in its orchestras, promoting equity, vibrancy, and sustainability within those organizations and the extraordinary art form they celebrate. We are working to change the face of classical music.

While each PMAY Artist’s plan for study will be different, the estimated value of what each PMAY Artist will receive in financial support is in the thousands of dollars annually.

Our Students

See our 2024 graduates speak about their college acceptances and hear them perform on this Fox29 feature.

8th grader PMAY Cellist Kwanyun Loo is accepted into the Curtis Institute of Music. Click to see this 6ABC feature.