Founded in 1961 by Susan Wadsworth '02 hon. D.M.—who still leads the organization—Young Concert Artists has been discovering musicians of great talent, launching careers and invigorating the cultural life of our country for half a century. YCA selects its artists through the annual Young Concert Artists International Auditions. Adjudicated by a distinguished panel of performers, many of them YCA alumni, the auditions are considered among the most selective in the world.
Winners become members of the roster of Young Concert Artists, Inc., which provides all management services, including the booking of concert engagements throughout the United States, and publicity, promotional materials and career guidance for three or more years at no cost to the artists. Winners are presented in recitals in the Young Concert Artists Series in New York; in Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center; and at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.
Many NEC musicians have gotten their start with YCA, beginning with the organization's own startup year. We acknowledge these artists, listed by year they joined the YCA roster.