STUDENT RESOURCES

Youth leaders meet together twice a month to collaborate and utilize a secure, private group chat to share ideas in between sessions.

Commitment: Full season commitment

When: Select Sundays between 2:15 - 4:15 pm*, View YLC Season Calendar
*YLC sessions are scheduled for a 2-hour block to accommodate different ensemble schedules. YLC members are expected to drop in for at least 45 minutes each session.

Where: SDYS Conference Room (Balboa Park, Casa del Prado), or Zoom

YLC members are expected to attend at least 80% of the scheduled sessions.

Program Eligibility

• Current SDYS musician in good standing
• Ages 14 - 18
• Participants must have parent/guardian permission to join

Program Requirements

• All students in YLC are automatically included in the SDYS Mentor Program with the expectation that they work with younger students at least 6 times in the spring semester. If not eligible to participate in the SDYS Mentor Program, YLC students are asked to volunteer at one of KeyNote's other programs (Opus and/or ChIMES).
• Maintain good standing at SDYS
• Drop in for a minimum of 45 minutes in at least 80% of the scheduled YLC sessions

Participant Agreements

• Be respectful to everyone, including peers and KeyNote/SDYS staff and faculty
• Communicate clearly and often to all members, including advisors
• All ideas are welcome
• Commit to meetings and to the work of YLC
• Help others feel included and accepted
• Share any problems or concerns immediately with staff

This program is open to SDYS students ages 14-18 who are in good standing. Registration is open year-round. (Once registered, students should expect to participate for the remainder of the season.)

Sign Up for YLC!

2023-2024

Recruitment Booths

YLC students set up booths in Balboa Park to recruit new students for SDYS auditions.

SDYS Social

The SDYS Youth Leadership Council hosted a night of treats, trivia, and games!

Game winners show off their winnings at the SDYS Social in January 2024.

2022-2023

YLC Seasonal Symphonies Concert

The SDYS Youth Leadership Council presents a concert at the Veterans Museum, featuring performances from SDYS musicians to celebrate the many fall and winter holidays.

2021-2022

YLC Mini-Concert: Filipino Celebration

The SDYS Youth Leadership Council presents a virtual mini-concert that celebrates Filipino culture, the culture’s contributions to the arts, and how it is spread in our local communities. Directed by YLC member, Nya Delcastillo, this mini-concert features performances from SDYS musicians, friends, and families. A note from the director: “To us Filipinos, representation is very important. Through this concert, SDYS and the YLC can show the instrumental aspects of traditional Filipino music and collaborate with other Filipino figures in our communities.”

Click here to watch!

2020-2021

YLC Presents: Works by Black Composers

Almost immediately following the creation of SDYS’ Youth Leadership Council, its members wanted to find a way to express their solidarity and extend their voices in support of the racial justice movements taking place across the country in the summer of 2020.

Click here to watch!

Conductor Appreciation Video

Throughout the pandemic, the Youth Leadership Council met weekly on Zoom, discussing ways to help SDYS students and staff. Right away, members wanted to find a way to thank SDYS conductors and teachers for their dedication and support as we all transitioned to learning and working from home. YLC members organized and compiled conductor appreciation videos, which were shared at our June 2020 virtual concert.

Click here to watch!