Dual Immersion Academy's Youth Orchestra Gets Standing Ovation on Debut Performance

Dual Immersion Academy's Youth Orchestra made its debut on Tuesday night with a standing ovation performance in the school's cafeteria at 552A W. Main St. The concert was free and open to the community.

Youth orchestras are a rare opportunity in the Grand Valley. MusicSpark launched in January as a local nonprofit organization that provides access to instrumental and orchestral education. The organization's goal is to promote youth development and leadership skills to the underserved youth in the Grand Valley. Instruments and instruction are provided at no cost to participating students.

The MusicSpark orchestra at DIA consists of 25 kindergarten through fifth-grade Dual Immersion Academy students who have learned to play the violin, rhythmic drums, and sing chorus. MusicSpark follows the vision of the famous Venezuelan music education program El Sistema.

Dual Immersion Academy's youth orchestra offers underserved children a chance to live out their "musical" dreams all while teaching valuable leadership skills.