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Podcasts Take Two
Among the tacos and Mariachis, tiny youth orchestra blossoms in Boyle Heights
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Aug 19, 2013
Listen • 4:18
Among the tacos and Mariachis, tiny youth orchestra blossoms in Boyle Heights
The Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra launched last summer to help teach 6 to12 year olds music. Most don't get it at school.
Atziri Rodriguez plays the piccolo in the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra.
Atziri Rodriguez plays the piccolo in the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Jen Simone, a violin coach with the youth orchestra, waits for students to unpack their instruments before rehearsals.
Jen Simone, a violin coach with the youth orchestra, waits for students to unpack their instruments before rehearsals.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Mayte Castro packs her instrument for rehearsal. She is the first-chair violinist for the youth orchestra.
Mayte Castro packs her instrument for rehearsal. She is the first-chair violinist for the youth orchestra.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Musicians in the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra practice singing before taking out their instruments at rehearsal.
Musicians in the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra practice singing before taking out their instruments at rehearsal.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Micah Layne (left) and Solomon Katz direct the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra during the singing portion of the rehearsal. The program is taught using the Kodaly method, which encourages singing during childhood.
Micah Layne (left) and Solomon Katz direct the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra during the singing portion of the rehearsal. The program is taught using the Kodaly method, which encourages singing during childhood.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Mayte's mother checks her bag to make sure everything is there before setting off for rehearsal.
Mayte's mother checks her bag to make sure everything is there before setting off for rehearsal.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Music instructor Solomon Katz tunes the oboe for a student at the Boys and Girls Club during the group's last rehearsal before their summer concert.
Music instructor Solomon Katz tunes the oboe for a student at the Boys and Girls Club during the group's last rehearsal before their summer concert.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Parents of the students occupy themselves with knitting and their phones during a three-hour rehearsal of the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra.
Parents of the students occupy themselves with knitting and their phones during a three-hour rehearsal of the Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)
Mayte Castro packs her instrument for rehearsal. She is the first-chair violinist for the youth orchestra.
Mayte Castro packs her instrument for rehearsal. She is the first-chair violinist for the youth orchestra.
(
Grant Slater/KPCC
)

The Boyle Heights Community Youth Orchestra launched last summer to help teach 6 to12 year olds music. Most don't get it at school.

Boyle Heights is home to historic Hollenbeck Park and LA's first tortilla factory, but it's probably best known for its famous Mariachi Plaza, where bands gather in elegant charro suits. Now, KPCC's Mary Plummer reports there's a new group of musicians in town.