Bringing Classical Music into the Heart of Learning

Our In-School Residencies connect students with the transformative power of live classical music right in their own classrooms. These multi-week programs are led by our professional teaching artists who work closely with educators to deliver enriching, curriculum-aligned experiences tailored to each school’s needs.

Our programs bring professional teaching artists directly into schools, supporting and supplementing classroom music education where it’s needed most. As many schools face shrinking arts budgets and limited resources, these programs help ensure that every student has access to high-quality, hands-on music experiences.

Our team of teaching artists includes musicians, composers, vocalists, and educators who lead in-school workshops, residencies, interactive performances, and curriculum-aligned lessons – all designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and make music education vibrant and accessible.

We work in close partnership with public school teachers and administrators to adapt our programs to reflect each school’s needs, align with educational standards, and enhance, not replace, existing instruction. Music builds discipline, empathy, creativity, and lifelong joy. At LACO, we ensure that music education is not extracurricular – it’s essential for a well-rounded education.

What We Offer:

• Fall and Spring Programs: Two multi-week programs where teaching artists come right to your classroom.
• Live Performances & Interactive Workshops: Students not only witness live chamber and orchestral music but also explore rhythm, melody, composition, and storytelling through hands-on activities.
• Standards-Aligned Curriculum: Our teaching materials integrate seamlessly with national and state arts and academic standards.
• Engagement Across Grade Levels: Designed for students from grades 3–12, with age-appropriate content that grows with the learner.
• No Prior Music Experience Needed! We create an inclusive environment where all students can participate and thrive.

Music is a powerful lens through which students develop:

• Critical thinking & listening skills
• Collaboration & creativity
• Cultural awareness
• Confidence in self-expression

By integrating classical music with subjects like history, literature, and mathematics, our residencies enhance interdisciplinary learning and foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Learn More about the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Learning Programs

Fall Semester: Meet the Artists | Spring Semester: Meet the Music

Register for the Spring Semester

LACO MASTER CLASS SERIES

Why Master classes?

In classical music, the tradition of master-apprentice learning spans centuries, and masterclasses are the modern evolution of that legacy. They create a space where students, emerging artists, and lifelong learners engage directly with masters of the art form through performance, critique, and mentorship. Beyond technical skill, masterclasses bridge the gap between education and professional artistry—showing how phrasing, expression, and interpretation transform notes on a page into storytelling.

Many talented students, especially those from underserved communities, lack access to top-tier instruction. Masterclasses help level the playing field and make world-class instruction accessible to all. They ignite creativity, build confidence, and remind participants why they fell in love with music in the first place. For audiences, masterclasses offer a rare window into the creative process, deepening appreciation for what makes classical music extraordinary.

As part of their week with LACO, several of our guest artists are leading an in-depth master class at the Colburn School with select Colburn students.

The LACO Masterclass Series are free and open to the public, registration is required to enter. This can be done online or at the door before entering. Attendees will also receive a discount to the guest artist’s concert.

FAMILY DAYS

Our Family Days are fun-filled, hands-on, and heart-opening experiences designed to bring families together through the joy of music.

Held at the beginning of each season, Family Days open our doors wide to the community, inviting children, parents, grandparents, and caregivers to explore instruments, meet musicians, create sounds together, and discover how music can connect and inspire people of all ages. When families explore music side by side, it creates shared experiences and lifelong memories. By making music fun and accessible, we help grow the next generation of musicians, listeners, and arts lovers.

Whether you’re new to classical music or already play an instrument, Family Days are for everyone. Each Family Day features a different theme, and combine a mix of interactive activities, performances, and discovery zones:

Instrument Petting Zoo

Try out violins, drums, flutes, and more guided by LACO musicians.

Interactive Performances

Short, engaging concerts designed with young listeners in mind. Sit up close, clap along, and ask questions!

Music & Art Stations

Get creative with crafts inspired by the music; make your own rhythm shaker, decorate a score, or build a cardboard cello!

Composer Lab

Learn how to create your own music and hear it come to life in a matter of minutes with the help of our Teaching Artists!

TEACHING ARTISTS

LACO Teaching Artists are more than educators – they are performers, creators, mentors, and cultural connectors who bring the arts to life in classrooms and concert halls. Our TAs bridge the gap between the professional arts world and public education, making music education accessible, inclusive, and inspiriting for learners for all ages and backgrounds. For many students, a teaching artist may be their first direct encounter with a professional musician. These moments of connection can inspire a lifelong love of the arts, or even a future career. Teaching artists do not replace educators, they amplify and enrich existing programs, working collaboratively with school staff to expand what is possible in the classroom.

2025/26 TEACHING ARTISTS

ELLA ROSE KAALE

JULIA MOSS

TIMOTHY PETERSON

HANNAH RICE

SIHYUN UHM