Children aged six to nine can now apply to Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi, a fully funded music academy launching in January 2027 under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The programme will welcome its first cohort of 100 students, offering free tuition and musical instruments, with a curriculum spanning Western classical and Arabic musical traditions.
Based in a building designed by the late architect Frank Gehry in Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed district, the institution will offer group lessons four times a week after school, alongside sessions on two Saturdays each month, led by teaching artists. Students will develop their skills through ensemble playing, with additional ensembles for more advanced musicians planned during the academy’s first year.
Beyond music education, the venue will host public performances, masterclasses, and community events, creating opportunities for young musicians to develop their skills and perform together. Inspired by youth orchestra programmes such as Youth Orchestra Los Angeles, the initiative aims to make music education more accessible while nurturing the next generation of musicians through both Western classical and Arabic musical traditions.
