A New Season Is Taking Shape at MYCincinnati
The orchestra update
August 2026
As we prepare for a new season at MYCincinnati, we’re celebrating the music, friendships, and opportunities that carried our students through the summer—and looking ahead to what’s next. From enrollment for the 2026–2027 season to an incredible summer camp and the partners who help keep our programming free, there’s plenty to share from MYCincinnati.
Enrollment is open for MYCincinnati’s 2026–2027 season!
At MYCincinnati, young musicians learn much more than how to play an instrument. They build confidence, form friendships, perform together, and become part of a community that believes in their potential—all at no cost to families.
Whether your child is picking up an instrument for the first time or returning for another season, we’d love to have them join us.
Questions? Text Katie at 513-380-0499.
We’re Hiring: Cello Teaching Artist
Know a cellist who loves working with young musicians?
MYCincinnati is hiring a Cello Teaching Artist to join our team. We’re looking for an enthusiastic musician and educator who is excited about teaching, mentorship, and community-centered music-making.
Please share this opportunity with someone who might be a great fit!
Looking Back at an Incredible Summer
This June, 43 MYCincinnati students filled their summer with music, creativity, new experiences, and plenty of time with friends.
Throughout camp, students rotated through individual lessons, chamber ensembles, full orchestra rehearsals, musicianship games, and other activities designed to keep them learning and having fun. They also explored the connections between music, culture, art, and the world around them.
Highlights included a field trip to the Kirby Nature Preserve, a visit from La Fórmula to perform and teach students about Afro-Latin American dance music, tie-dye projects, and colorful handmade birds that transformed giant music staves on our walls.
After a month of learning and rehearsing together, students closed camp with a culminating performance celebrating everything they had accomplished.
A Special Thank You to El Sistema USA
This year’s expanded camp experience was made possible through support from El Sistema USA’s Summer Now! grant.
The grant allowed MYCincinnati to extend the length of summer camp, engage our full staff in a more dynamic teaching model, and provide students with summer learning packets for continued practice at home.
We are deeply grateful to El Sistema USA for investing in our students and helping us create a summer filled with more opportunities to learn, explore, connect, and make music together.
Additional support for MYCincinnati’s summer programming was provided by the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation.
Staff & Student Highlights
Our students and teaching artists have been making music throughout Cincinnati this summer! Here are two recent moments we’re especially excited to celebrate.
Katie Carson Takes the Plaza Stage
MYCincinnati Brass Teaching Artist and Enrollment-Parent Coordinator Katie Carson took the stage during A Night at the Plaza in Price Hill, performing with La Fórmula as part of the evening’s celebration on Warsaw Avenue.
Katie is a trumpet player, organizer, and arranger with La Fórmula, whose musicians perform and teach music from across Latin America. Seeing one of our teaching artists share her musicianship with the broader community was a special reminder that the artists teaching our students are also active performers helping shape Cincinnati’s music scene.
MYC Students Perform at Summermusik
On August 15, MYCincinnati students took their music downtown for a special pre-concert performance at Summermusik’s The Island of Enchantment at the School for Creative and Performing Arts.
MYC musicians performed in the lobby alongside students from CCM Prep before the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra took the Mainstage for an evening celebrating the music of Puerto Rico. The concert featured Puerto Rican composers and guest artist Fabiola Méndez on cuatro.
Opportunities like this give our students a chance to perform for new audiences and experience themselves as part of Cincinnati’s larger music community. We’re grateful to Summermusik for continuing to create opportunities for our young musicians.
Keeping Music Free: Donor Spotlight
Every lesson, rehearsal, performance, and new musical experience at MYCincinnati is possible because people and organizations believe that high-quality music education should be accessible to every young person. This month, we’re especially grateful for the support of the City of Cincinnati, The NAMM Foundation, and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation.
The NAMM Foundation
MYCincinnati received a $15,000 grant from The NAMM Foundation to support our work with young musicians. This program is made possible by a grant from The NAMM Foundation.
Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation
A $50,000 grant for general operating support from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation helps sustain the staff, programming, and resources that keep MYCincinnati accessible to our students and families.
We are also grateful for the continued support of the City of Cincinnati and its investment in opportunities for young people in our community.
Thank you to each of these partners for helping us Keep Music Free.
THANK YOU FUNDERS
FOR KEEPING MUSIC FREE
Stay Connected To The Music
Visit our website: mycincinnati.org
A program of Price Hill Will
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