Young Performers Career Advancement

Celebrating 27 years, the Young Performers Career Advancement (YPCA, pronounced “YIP-Kah”) program was designed by the APAP Classical Connections Committee to support classical musicians in the formative stages of their careers.

APAP|NYC 2020 YPCA Participants, Ivalas Quartet, by Adam Kissick/APAP

Attend the YPCA Showcase

Will you be attending the APAP|NYC conference? The YPCA Showcase featuring the current YPCA Class is always a highlight.

The 2025 YPCA Showcase will take place on January 13, 2025 at Merkin Hall. RSVP here!

Meet the Class of 2025 performers!

Support YPCA through the Classical Connections Endowment here.

RSVP for the YPCA Showcase

About YPCA

By participating in APAP's Young Performers Career Advancement (YPCA) program, classical musicians in the formative stages of their careers will receive invaluable advice from industry professionals, develop strategies for communicating with presenters, managers, audiences, and other artists, and learn to set long-term, professional goals in a field that has seen tremendous change over the past few years.

The YPCA program consists of online professional development seminars, one-on-one coaching, and the opportunity to fully participate in the annual APAP conference between January 10-14, 2025, and a showcase performance at Merkin Hall on January 13, 2025.

Participants in the YPCA program will:

Receive a complimentary full conference registration to APAP|NYC 2025
Get a practical overview of the presenting and touring industry and expert instruction in audience engagement
Learn to set long-term career goals, including developing your vision and identity
Develop strategies for communicating with presenters, managers, audiences and other artists
Gain networking resources that last an entire career
Perform at Merkin Hall in the only APAP-produced showcase at APAP|NYC 2025

Dates and Deadlines

YPCA Applications Open — June 24, 2024
YPCA Applications Close — August 2, 2024 (extended deadline)
YPCA Notifications — August 18-24, 2024
YPCA Cohort Confirmation — September 6, 2024

For questions about the program, please email programs@apap365.org.

When and How to Apply

YPCA 2025 applications closed August 2, 2024. APAP membership is not required in order to apply to the YPCA program, but artists must have representation (agent, manager, personal representative or an equivalent support structure) in order to participate. If an artist is selected, the artist’s representative must be or must become an APAP member and must also register to attend the APAP|NYC 2025 conference to represent the YPCA artist/ensemble.

YPCA artists will perform in APAP's only self-produced showcase in front of global arts leaders, performing arts presenters, managers, record company representatives, and agents. This event marks the 27th anniversary of the YPCA program.

Questions? Contact Willie Santiago, Manager, programs and resources, at wsantiago@apap365.org.

Meet the Class of 2022

Photo: APAP members smiling and interacting at the APAP|NYC 2024 opening plenary (Adam Kissick/APAP).

As part of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) annual conference, APAP|NYC+ 2022, five exceptional young classical music artists and ensembles will be showcased at a free concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on January 14, as part of APAP’s Young Performers Career Advancement Program (YPCA).

The 2022 Participants are up-and-coming musicians were chosen through a competitive process by a team of industry experts on APAP’s Classical Connections Committee. YPCA artists will perform in APAP's only self-produced showcase in front of global arts leaders, performing arts presenters, managers, record company representatives, and agents.

Meet the YPCA Class of 2022 here.

APAP membership is not required in order to apply to the YPCA program, but artists must have representation (agent, manager, personal representative or an equivalent support structure) in order to participate. If artist is selected, an artist’s representative must be or must become an APAP member and must also register to attend the APAP|NYC+ 2022 conference to represent the YPCA artist/ensemble.

YPCA artists will perform in APAP's only self-produced showcase in front of global arts leaders, performing arts presenters, managers, record company representatives, and agents. This event marks the 25th anniversary of the YPCA program.

The deadline has passed and the application process has closed.

Please read the application guidelines and preview before applying.

APPLY NOW

Photo: Joseph Parrish performing at the APAP|NYC 2024 YPCA showcase (Adam Kissick/APAP).