Established in 2008, American Youth Chorus (AYC) is Congressional Chorus’ after-school music program at the Atlas Performing Arts Center for students ages 8 to 14 from DC, Maryland, and Virginia. In September 2012, AYC launched American Youth Chorus at Sitar Arts Center in Adams Morgan for students ages 8 to 11.
Founded on the premise that all children, regardless of socio-economic background, deserve a high-quality music education, AYC offers students a performance-based choral/musical theatre program that encourages young people to develop their voices, creativity, and self-esteem. The curriculum focuses on reading skills and music theory, singing in parts, stage presence and basic choral choreography.
American Youth Chorus has performed at the Kennedy Center, the White House Christmas tour, the 2010 Kennedy Center Honorees luncheon at the State Department, and the Children’s Inaugural Ball in 2009. This past season, AYC students performed at the Library of Congress, the H Street Festival in September 2011, and at a White House holiday reception where the students met First Lady Michelle Obama.
American Youth Chorus Rehearsals and Audition Information
Auditions take place in the summer and January. AYC also has rolling auditions throughout the year. Get more information here about auditions and singing in American Youth Chorus.
AYC at Sitar Arts Center:
AYC Junior Division (ages 8 to 11) rehearses Wednesdays from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
To join AYC at Sitar, contact Sitar Arts Center at (202) 797-2145 or visit their website.