Education

Patrons of the Arts In The Heart Concert Series support the enriching educational opportunities available through Javacya Conservatory. These efforts are aimed at providing opportunity for all students to achieve success through music and the arts.

Javacya Elite Chamber Orchestra

Senior Conductor and Assistant Director, Ralph Jean-Paul with Assistant Senior Conductor Keenan Ellis, continue the decades-old tradition of providing advancing students of all ages opportunity to hone their skills while performing alongside both graduate students, and university professors, the most diverse and technically challenging orchestral repertoire in the region. Baroque, classical, and exciting new works by contemporary composers are among the normal palate of repertoire for the orchestra members. The Orchestra’s annual seasons feature collaborations with professionals like pianist Joanna Sobkowska, trumpeter Longineu Parsons, “The Mad Violinist”, tenor Darryl Tookes, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, baritone Marcus Rhodes, soprano Althea Kilgore, Lililita Forbes, and Mark Butler, to name a few.

The orchestra is known as an important training institute for future professionals. During summer months young student members train at Cadenza International (England), Luzerne Music Center (New York), Sphinx Performance Academy (Chicago, Ohio) Interlochen Arts Academy (Michigan) Aspen Arts Festival (Colorado), Four Strings Academy (Boston), and others. Students also audition and perform with the Super Strings Orchestra in Sarasota, Florida under the direction of violinist Itzhak Perlman.

Florida Society Youth Orchestra

The Florida Society Youth Orchestras Program (FSYO) is structured to provide the highest quality string training to pre-college students in pre-school through high school possible.

All FSYO students participate weekly in workshop style classes, recitals, outreach performances, as well as monthly masterclasses, lectures, and group classes, presented by renowned faculty-artists from the States and abroad, plus local graduate students. Additionally, the college music majors from local universities have key internship opportunities. Once enrolled students reach class benchmarks, they may audition for placement in The Leander A. Kirksey Orchestras and The Javacya Elite Chamber Orchestra.

Each orchestra and ensemble introduces the concepts of musicality and performance in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere tailored to young students. The FSYO learning experience fosters critical thinking skills and creativity. A solid foundation leads to lifetime success and discipline.