The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (OPO) is thrilled to announce the expansion of its acclaimed Young People’s Concert (YPC) series into Lake County, reaching an additional 2,500 fifth-grade students this fall. This exciting milestone marks the first time the Orchestra will bring its flagship education program directly into Lake County schools.
The Young People’s Concerts—recognized as the largest in the nation, serving more than 62,500 students annually across Central Florida—will now grow even larger with the inclusion of Lake County performances on November 13 and 14, 2025.
November 13: Lake Minneola High School
November 14: Leesburg High School
Conducted by Christopher Confessore, the 2025–2026 Season’s YPC features the theme “Where in the World is the OPO?”—a musical journey around the globe designed to inspire curiosity and cultural exploration through live orchestral performance.
Why Lake County—and Why Now?
For years, passionate Lake County educators have gone above and beyond to bring students to Orlando for YPC performances—often at a financial cost to themselves and their schools. With this expansion, every fifth grader in Lake County will now have access to this transformative musical experience—right in their own community, free of charge.
“This expansion is years in the making,” said Amy Conrod, the Orlando Philharmonic’s Director of Education and Community. “We are deeply grateful for the teachers, administrators, and community advocates who believed in this program and worked tirelessly to make it a reality.”
We are thankful for the support of Linda Antmann (Lost Lake Elementary) and Rosemary Pilonero (The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake)—both members of OPO’s Education Committee and long-time champions of arts education in Lake County—as well as Debbie Fahmie and Leiland Theriot, whose advocacy was instrumental in bringing the program to life.
As with all OPO Young People’s Concerts, students will receive access to the OPO’s curriculum-aligned YPC Guidebook, and their teachers will be invited to participate in the Orchestra’s Professional Development Days to deepen classroom engagement before and after the performance.
Help Sustain the Future of YPC in Lake County
To ensure this opportunity continues for years to come, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra must still raise $15,000 to fully fund this year’s expansion. Those interested in supporting access to music education for all can contact Katie Cassidy, Director of Philanthropy, at kcassidy@orlandophil.org to learn more and donate.
About the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra:
Founded in 1993, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is Central Florida’s resident professional orchestra, dedicated to bringing the transformative power of live music to all. Its education programs, including the Young People’s Concerts, reach tens of thousands of students annually, inspiring the next generation of musicians, thinkers, and creators. Learn more at orlandophil.org/young-peoples-concerts.