Crossroads Music Students Attend International Association of Young Artists Program

“It was life changing,” Lola reflected. “The musicians were amazing, so to work with them as a way to see options for the future was really cool. But then for them to play something I wrote made me realize that this is possible for me, especially with the resources and opportunities that are available at Crossroads. Ever since the camp I have been composing nonstop, which I never did before.”

IAOYA's mission is to recognize and support the world’s most talented young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts. The two-week composing program, held at the Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles, led students through the process of writing a film score, a piece for string orchestra or a full orchestral piece with the guidance of award-winning composers and musicians. The young musicians were free to follow their own interests in developing their projects and relied on the support of mentors to expand their technical and artistic capabilities. The camp culminated with students conducting their pieces with a professional orchestra. 

“It’s a very special program,” said EMMI Director Gina Coletti. “Students worked with renowned film and concert composer Jeff Kryka on original compositions, which were recorded live by a professional orchestra on the legendary Eastmann Scoring Stage at the Warner Bros. Studios.”

Students found that conducting was one of the highlights of the program. The studio at Warner Bros. has been the recording stage for many well-known television shows and movies. Looking back on the experience, Tyler shared, “I knew I wanted to conduct, but this really cinched it for me. The musicians were incredible and it was exciting to be in the studio where music for so many movies has been recorded. I got to conduct from the same podium that John Williams did!”