Longy’s Side-by-Side Program

Longy’s Side-by-Side Program is inspired by the Venezuelan social movement El Sistema, which addresses issues of social justice by making intensive musical training accessible to every child.

During intensive rehearsals, children ages 6–18 literally sit side-by-side with their Longy mentors, sharing a music stand as they work together to create extraordinary orchestral performances.

For musicians enrolled in our Master of Music in Music Education program, the Side-by-Side orchestra offers access to a real-world lab where they can practice and refine their teaching skills. They gain firsthand experience with culturally responsive engagement and resource-based learning. Many of our graduates are hired right out of school as faculty in El Sistema-inspired programs and K–12 schools.

Children in the Side-by-Side program receive top-quality orchestral training led by internationally recognized faculty, combined with private and small-group instruction from Longy musicians.

These young musicians have performed in exceptional venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall with famous artists including:

• Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director of the LA Phil;

• Vijay Gupta, MacArthur Fellow, social justice activist, and Executive and Artistic Director of Street Symphony;

• Thomas Wilkins, Germeshausen Youth and Family Concerts Conductor and Artistic and Education Community Advisor at the BSO;

• and José Antonio Abreu, the founder of El Sistema.

Featured Students and Alumni

• Roy Lewis , MM Jazz and Contemporary Music, Trumpet The Cambridge Homes Certified Music Practitioner Scholar

• Gabrielle Molina , MAT

• Job Salazar Fonseca , GPD Historical Performance, Baroque Violin

Lindsay and Garth Greimann Scholar and The Cambridge Homes Certified Music Practitioner Scholar

• Janet Lagah-Bona , MM Composition, Piano

Alabama State University Equity Scholar

• Arson Fahim , UD Composition

Lindsay and Garth Greimann Equity Scholar

• DeShaun Gordon-King , GPD, Flute

Emily Fisher Equity Scholar and Loring and Louise Conant Certified Music Practitioner Scholar

• Ivan Shiu , MM/ME, Voice

Margot Kittredge Memorial Scholar

Photo Credits

• Cover © Robert Torres

• p. 1 © Robert Torres

• p. 2 top to bottom: © Longy archives, Luke Zvara, iStockPhotos

• p. 8 © Yazi Ferrufino

• p. 13 © Adriana Arguijo Gutierrez

• p. 14 left to right, top to bottom: © Robert Torres, Robert Torres, Longy Archives, Yazi Ferrufino, Robert Torres, Longy Archives

• p. 19 © Adriana Arguijo Gutierrez

• p. 20 top to bottom © Adobe Stock, iStockPhotos

• p. 25 © Adriana Arguijo Gutierrez

• p. 26 © iStockPhotos

• p. 33 © Adriana Arguijo Gutierrez

• p. 34 © Longy Archives