Abu Dhabi Launches Free Youth Orchestra Offering World-Class Music Education

Abu Dhabi is set to launch a new music institution, Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi, in January, providing free tuition and instruments to children aged six to nine. The institution will be housed in a building designed by the late Frank Gehry in the Mina Zayed district, featuring a 600-seat concert hall and 18 rehearsal rooms. Established by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the orchestra is now accepting applications for its inaugural class of 100 pupils, ahead of its January 2027 opening.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, stated, “Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi is about creating opportunities for young people to discover and develop their potential through music. Beyond musical skills, it helps build confidence, creativity, discipline and collaboration. It reflects our belief that investing in young people today is essential to building a vibrant and sustainable cultural future for Abu Dhabi.”

Pupils will participate in group lessons four times a week after school and on two Saturdays each month, guided by teaching artists. Each child will receive a musical instrument at no charge, with training encompassing both Western classical and Arabic musical traditions. The program aims to support pupils long-term, enabling them to hone their skills and progress through ensemble playing, with additional ensembles for advanced students planned for the first year.

The institution's approach is inspired by Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA), founded by conductor Gustavo Dudamel and influenced by Venezuela's El Sistema music education movement. YOLA, in partnership with the LA Philharmonic and community organizations, offers free instruments and intensive music training to youth from underserved communities. Notably, Frank Gehry also designed YOLA's Beckmen Yola Center, which opened in 2021.

The new Abu Dhabi institution will be among Gehry’s final completed architectural works. In addition to its educational programs, the venue will host public performances, master classes, and community events. This initiative complements other Gehry projects in Abu Dhabi, including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, opening on December 11, and the upcoming Dar Al Funoon performing arts centre, slated for a 2030 opening near Saadiyat Cultural District. Dar Al Funoon is designed to host opera, ballet, theatre, and orchestral concerts, with plans for international collaborations.