Help Jóia tour Vienna & Prague with LAYO

Hi everyone, my name is Jóia and I’m a rising senior in high school. I have been playing cello and double bass in youth orchestras since I was in 4th grade, and bass guitar for 5 years.

I perform on double bass with the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra Symphony, the Santa Monica High School Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Elemental Strings Chamber Music Institute. I’m also very proud to have been accepted into the California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA )Honors Orchestra and the Idyllwild Arts Summer Symphony Orchestra. I also recently attended the Berklee College of Music 5 week intensive performance program.

Now, I have an amazing opportunity to go on a tour with the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra Symphony to Vienna and Prague in June 2024. This tour will be the culmination of over a year of rehearsals and we will be performing three concerts in historic venues. We will also be visiting some of the places that inspired the composers to create the music we have learned so much about and performed.

The Los Angeles Youth Orchestra is a professional orchestra that is joined by audition, and I am honored to be a part of the Symphony. Their mission is to provide young musicians with the opportunity to perform at a very high level and to inspire a lifelong passion for music.

As someone who plans to pursue music in college, this tour is incredibly important to me. It will be a chance for me to grow as a musician and to share my love of music with others. Plus, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the musical histories of two incredible cities with my symphony friends and teachers.

Unfortunately, the cost of this tour is quite high and I am hoping to raise funds to help cover the expenses. The money raised through this GoFundMe campaign will cover all the necessary expenses for the tour. This includes flights, hotels, meals, instrument rental and insurance, rehearsal space rental, and all ground transportation, including an afternoon river cruise (yay!). It also covers admission fees to museums and guided, music focused tours.

Any amount you can contribute would be greatly appreciated and will help me achieve my dream of touring with the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra. Your support will ensure that I can participate in this incredible experience and make the most of my last summer before college.

I am incredibly grateful for any contributions you can make towards my dream of performing with the symphony in these historic places and exploring the rich musical and cultural histories of Vienna and Prague. Thank you so much for your generosity!