The 8th Annual Painted Violin fundraiser features 17 original works of art that are auctioned, sold and raffled to benefit the Denver Young Artists Orchestra Association (DYAO).
This year’s Opening Celebration is sponsored by Gallery 1261 and features an evening of art, music performed by DYAO musicians, food and libations. Catering is provided by Bitter Sweets Bakery.
The violins will then tour the Denver region in a traveling exhibit to The Madden Museum of Art, The Curtis Arts & Humanities Center, the Denver International Airport, Masters Gallery, Clayton Lane Fine Arts, Boettcher Concert Hall, Gallery 1261, Translations Gallery, and ending with the Painted Violin Gala at Palazzo Verdi on April, 22, 2012. That evening, Jessica Brown’s “Brownstone” painted violin will be raffled, and the rest of the collection will be auctioned to benefit DYAO.
About DYAO
The Denver Young Artists Orchestra Association (DYAO) was founded in 1977 under the auspices of the Denver Symphony Orchestra. DYAO is the premier youth orchestra of the Rocky Mountain region and one of the leading youth orchestras in the United States. DYAO performs in Boettcher Concert Hall (home of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra) in the heart of Denver's city center.
DYAO's mission is to provide the finest possible youth orchestra programs, inspiring and educating young musicians through the performance of great works of music and offering valuable cultural opportunities to the community.
DYAO prides itself on its collaborative ventures with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO) including an annual DYAO/CSO Side-by-Side concert. DYAO is the only youth orchestra granted this honor.
The Denver Young Artists Orchestra Association, which now provides musical training to more than 200 musicians annually, comprises five large ensembles, several Chamber Ensembles, and a beginning instrumental program:
- DYAO: Colorado’s most advanced youth symphony orchestra consisting of approximately 90 students ages 12-23.
- Conservatory Orchestras (North & South): considered to be second only to DYAO in the Denver Metro area. They serve full orchestras of approximately 70 members ages 10 through 18 and perform advanced orchestral works.
- String Ensembles (North & South): where young string players ages 8 through 13 explore string orchestra literature and develop their ensemble-playing skills.
- Chamber Ensembles: designed to enhance the students’ musicality through the intimate study, rehearsal and performance of great works of chamber music.
- The Beginning Strings Program: developed in 2009 as a direct result of the increased elimination of school instrumental music programs.
DYAO Alumni have gone on to highly selective music schools and conservatories. Past members can be found performing with many of the major orchestras in the United States. In February 2009, the Denver Young Artists Orchestra Association received the Denver mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, presented by Mayor John Hickenlooper, for the orchestra’s significant and lasting contribution to music education in the City and County of Denver.
DYAO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal Tax ID#84-0809348.
