Make music with us
Now recruiting all instruments
We’d love to watch your talents soar! We're actively recruiting strings, winds, and percussion musicians now.
Our 25/26 Season starts September 8. (Auditions are conducted in August.)
If you’re brand new to Bay Phil Youth Orchestra (BPYO), discover all about our Youth Programs below.
Early Bird Tuition Registration by July 28 saves you $100! Just click here to sign up today.
Who are we?
The Bay Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (BPYO) shapes young musicians. We develop not just their musical abilities, but also their creative, collaborative, and leadership skills.
BPYO is an encouraging training ground for young musicians to discover and develop excellence through high-quality performance experiences. We help musicians develop important skills needed to become leaders in local communities: within, and beyond, musical bounds.
In addition to the youth orchestra, Bay Phil offers an opportunity to participate in small group Ensembles, with young musicians receiving additional training and performance experiences.
Who leads the BPYO and Ensembles?
We are delighted to announce that Judy Lam, BPYO Director Emeritus, is returning to direct the youth orchestra and ensembles in the 25/26 Season! She will conduct auditions in August 2025 (as individually needed) and plan all BPYO programs and performances. (Her musical expertise and leadership experience is below.)
What makes BPYO different?
Uplifting, joyful, and fun experience
Emphasis on personal growth and musical development
Opportunity to play side-by-side with professional musicians
High-quality, cost-effective education and instruction
The Youth Orchestra is organized on three learning levels to best serve and personalize the individual needs of students playing strings, winds and percussion instruments:
Melodia
Intermediate orchestraBravi
Advanced orchestraVirtuosi
Very Advanced orchestra
Merit and need-based scholarships may be available (as funds support).
Email bpyo@bayphil.org for more information.
The Bay Area’s Best Music Education Destination!
When you make a gift, you support vibrant, ongoing music education, helping us build contributing community members.
It’s no secret that arts and music programs are among the first cut from school budgets, and the Bay Phil Youth Orchestra exists to continue providing this valuable, extended education! Will you join us and help shape a better future for our young people and our world?
Every gift - of any size – is appreciated and makes a difference!
$50 buys an instrument for a young musician
$100 purchases a music arrangement
$600 buys sheet music and rentals for one ensemble for a concert series
A gift of $1,500 provides a BPYO tuition scholarship for someone who can’t afford to pursue music education. (Our focus: under-served and foster children)
$10,000 buys missing percussion instruments needed.
Ways you can donate
Matching Company donations - If your company has a matching gift program, make your donations there and increase the value of your gift! Bay Philharmonic on Benevity: 840-941638842
Check to Bay Philharmonic, PO Box 104, Fremont, CA 94537
Call 341.201.4206. We’re happy to process your gift over the phone.
You can give in honor or memory of a special person and remain anonymous too.
Thank you for supporting music education for Bay Area youth!
Bay Philharmonic is a 501(c)3 organization: Federal Tax ID #94-1638842. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Audition and Rehearsal Information at a glance
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Audition for the BPYO
Discover your musical potential and join BPYO for a golden opportunity to develop musical and life skills while showcasing your talent through performances and high-quality instruction.
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Rehearsal Location
Cole Hall
2950 Washington Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94539(Auxiliary Space behind First United Methodist Church)
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Rehearsal Time
Melodia
Monday 4:30-7:30 pmBravi
Monday 4:30-7:30 pmVirtuosi
Monday 4:30-7:30 pm
BPYO News & Events
Bay Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Leadership
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Judy Lam
Founder Emeritus & Director
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Marcella Schantz
Audition Assistant &
Conductor Emeritus -
Merna Morse
BPYO Ambassador and Liaison
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Judy Lam has conducted flute ensembles, chamber groups, choruses, and musicals, many of which featured her original ensemble arrangements. She has performed with Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Youth Orchestra.
She has received coaching from Jacqueline Pullinger, MBE; Jane Loschen; Hans Jürgen Möhring, former principal flautist of the German Cologne Chamber Orchestra; and Peter Lloyd, former principal flautist of the London Symphony Orchestra. She received her music education from the University of California in Los Angeles.
Since moving to Fremont in 1990, she has been keeping a busy schedule teaching and nurturing a new generation of flautists. She is the Director of Virtuoso International Flute Ensemble, which dedicates their performances to serve the community with the gift of music. She serves as a school band consultant with the Fremont Unified School District coaching young flautists in elementary, middle, and high schools.
She is also the recipient of the 2015 Alameda County Arts Leadership Award.
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Marcella Schantz graduated with honors from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. As a violinist, she has performed in numerous genres: orchestra, opera, ballet, shows, recording, film appearances, pop, rock, backup and more.
Marcella performs regularly with many Bay Area orchestras, including the Bay Philharmonic, Oakland Symphony, West Edge Opera and California Symphony. In Southern California, she performed with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra for 10 years, the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, and the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra.
In addition to a busy teaching studio, Marcella has significant experience conducting youth orchestra ensembles and coordinating musical showcase performances.
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Merna Morse is a pianist, cellist, and retired Fremont Unified School Teacher who taught Social Science at Washington High School, where she served as department head.
She was one of the original cellists in the Bay Philharmonic (previously known as the Fremont Philharmonic) and continued as a member for many years.
She also had her own piano studio for some time.
The Bay Phil Youth Orchestra (BPYO) Summer Ensemble Program the week of July 22-26 was a wonderful experience for the young musicians, culminating with a fantastic concert!