Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra

Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO) provides music education and performance opportunities for youth with demonstrated musical ability. It was founded as a single orchestra, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, in 1972 by a group of parents, educators and musicians who valued music education and the outcomes it could provide.

The program cultivates learning and creativity, as well as, social and motivational skills in over 450 talented young musicians, performing in two full orchestras, three string orchestras, a wind ensemble, a flute choir, and six jazz combos in the Jazz Institute. GDYO musicians socialize with a diverse group of highly talented peers from over 50 communities in the Metroplex, as well as interacting with professionals from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Wind Symphony and multiple other local music ensembles.