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American Young Artists AssociationYouth Division · New Yorkinfo@americanyoungartists.org

AYA Youth

Season 2026–27

Young artists on the professional stage: the Manhattan Solo Recital Series and the Artist Development Program. Auditions are open for young instrumentalists, singers, and dancers.

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Ria Kang

AYA Youth Artist · Violin Recital

Friday, October 16, 2026 · 7:30 PM · 213 E 82nd St, New York, NY 10028

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About AYA Youth

A young artist’s growth is shaped not only by lessons and practice, but by the quality of the opportunities through which the work is shared.

AYA Youth is the youth division of the American Young Artists Association, created to identify, support, and thoughtfully present dedicated young artists in instrumental music, voice, and dance.

About AYA Youth

Through individualized artistic planning, curated performance opportunities, professional concert production, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration, we help young artists deepen their craft and grow with confidence, discipline, and artistic integrity.

AYA Youth complements a participant’s primary teacher, studio, or conservatory. It does not replace them.

Programs & opportunities

What AYA Youth offers

One program, several stages: a sustained pathway connecting preparation, presentation, collaboration, and continued growth.

Browse the program
A pianist at a Steinway concert grand in a wood-panelled hall All disciplines

Artist Development Program

Individualized planning, program and repertoire design, concert production, stagecraft, mentorship, and cultural exchange.

The program
A grand piano on the stage of a wood-panelled recital hall Music & voice

Manhattan Solo Recital Series

Professionally organized solo recitals in Manhattan, each developed as an independent artistic event around the young artist’s work.

The series
A pianist and a double bassist performing together on a dark stage Across disciplines

AYA Youth in Collaboration

Chamber music, jazz combinations, vocal–instrumental partnerships, and music-and-dance projects with established artists.

Collaboration
A young tuba player following a conductor in rehearsal Guidance

Mentorship & masterclasses

Individual feedback, masterclasses, artist talks, repertoire consultations, and conservatory-pathway discussions.

Mentorship
Hands holding an oud Across borders

International & cultural exchange

International youth collaborations, cross-cultural programming, and special events connected to cultural or diplomatic themes.

Exchange
Young trumpet players in waistcoats performing on a dark stage Schools & institutions

Institutional recommendation

Partner schools, studios, and training institutions may recommend students with potential; AYA arranges the audition and the stage.

Institutions

Four disciplines

Each discipline carries its own technical requirements and performance practice. Audition expectations and artistic pathways are shaped by discipline, never by a single standardized model.

Cellos in the shadow of a stage Audition · 8–15 minClassical InstrumentalExplore A saxophonist’s hands playing a golden saxophone on stage Audition · 8–15 minJazz InstrumentalExplore An opera ensemble performing on a blue-lit stage Audition · 6–12 minVoiceExplore A dancer leaping in a red floral costume on a dark stage Audition · 3–5 + 2–5 minDanceExplore

All disciplines

A pianist’s hands playing a grand piano
The Artist Development Program

More than a performance opportunity

Accepted artists are supported with individualized planning that extends well beyond a single appearance⁠—program and repertoire design, concert production, stagecraft, mentorship, collaboration, and cultural exchange.

Discover the program

Coming up

The Manhattan Solo Recital Series for Season 2026–27. Recitals are confirmed with each accepted artist and family and listed here as they are announced.

  1. Ria Kang in Recital

    Violin · Solo Recital

    Friday · 7:30 PM213 E 82nd St, New York, NY 10028 Buy tickets
The full season Across the Association
Who AYA Youth is for

Dedicated young artists, ready for a guided, professional environment

  1. 01Engaged in consistent artistic training
  2. 02Demonstrating commitment beyond an introductory level
  3. 03Prepared to submit audition materials
  4. 04Ready to participate responsibly, with a parent or guardian’s support
  5. 05Interested in sustained development, not a single appearance

Previous awards, competition results, or elite school affiliations are not required. AYA reviews the applicant’s work, preparation, potential, and maturity.

Eligibility in full

A cellist playing beneath strings of warm stage lights
The AYA network

Part of a working artists’ association

The American Young Artists Association brings together artists across seven fields. Its stages, forums, and programs form the wider world into which AYA Youth introduces its young artists.

Artistic fields of the Association
  1. 01Composition & conducting
  2. 02Voice & opera
  3. 03Instrumental
  4. 04Jazz
  5. 05Performing arts
  6. 06Directing & producing
  7. 07Visual & design arts
Programs & platforms of the Association
  1. —AYA Concert Series
  2. —AYA International Concert Night
  3. —AYA Salon Series
  4. —AYA Gala of the Arts
  5. —AYA Visionary Artists Night · Visionary Leaders Forum
  6. —AYA Artlink Forum · Artpreneur Forum
  7. —AYA Youth
americanyoungartists.org The AYA artists The AYA network
For schools, studios & institutions

An extension of teaching, not a replacement for it

Partner schools and training institutions may recommend students with potential. AYA arranges the audition and, for accepted students, professionally produced stage opportunities that extend the institution’s own teaching⁠—in transparent communication with families and primary teachers.

Institutions & partners Support AYA Youth
A young violinist mid-phrase
Auditions & apply

Participation begins with an application

  1. Apply

    Background, training, artistic goals, and audition recordings⁠—submitted with a parent or guardian.

  2. Artistic review

    The AYA Artistic Committee reviews the complete application, not a single achievement.

  3. Conversation

    Selected applicants may be invited to an online conversation, callback, or additional review.

  4. Invitation

    Accepted artists and families receive a written invitation outlining placement and next steps.

Apply for an audition Audition requirements