Empowering young musicians with YONA

The Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta (YONA) offers more than music lessons — it creates a supportive community where young people can thrive. Since EPCOR began its partnership with YONA in 2017, the program has grown to five sites and two full orchestras, with further expansion on the horizon. Grounded in the values of inclusivity, community, peer mentorship and intensive instruction, YONA empowers more than 200 students each year to reimagine what’s possible — in school, in life, and in themselves.

For more than a decade, the Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta (YONA) has been transforming lives through the power of music. Offered by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, YONA provides free, intensive music instruction to students in priority neighbourhoods — five days a week, three hours a day — at no cost to their families. But YONA is more than music. It’s a safe, supportive community where young people grow, learn, and discover what’s possible.

Since EPCOR began its partnership with YONA in 2017, the program has expanded significantly. YONA started in one school with twenty Grade 2 students learning the violin. Today, they operate across five sites, including 82 students with Kipohtakâw YONA, at Alexander First Nation. They also offer ten different instruments and have grown to include two full orchestras with at least one of every orchestral instrument in each. 

With over 200 students now enrolled, YONA is still working to increase access to the program by adding more sites. The goal is to reach 500 students each year, helping them develop the confidence and skills needed to find success in the classroom, and beyond. Those who joined the program in its early years are now graduating high school, with several pursuing further education — a testament to YONA’s long-term commitment to youth development. 

One of the most inspiring examples of YONA’s impact is Sejutee.

Sejutee joined YONA in its inaugural year in 2013 as a Grade 2 violin student. She quickly excelled, eventually joining the Edmonton Youth Orchestra while continuing to volunteer with YONA as an instructor, tutor, and role model. In 2023, Sejutee became one of the first YONA alumni accepted into postsecondary education — and she did so with distinction, earning the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship, Canada’s most coveted undergraduate STEM award.

Her story is a powerful reminder of why EPCOR invested in YONA 10 years ago, and why we continue to support it today. Sejutee’s journey reflects the values at the heart of YONA: inclusivity, community, mentorship, and intensive instruction. It also reflects EPCOR’s belief that dedicated, sustained programming can make a lasting difference.

Through our Heart + Soul program, EPCOR has supported YONA in ways that reflect our shared commitment to community and youth development. As presenting sponsor of the Road to Joy concert, EPCOR helps elevate the event’s profile and celebrate the talents of YONA students alongside the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. We’ve also partnered with YONA on their annual fundraising campaign, matching donations and helping raise more than $217,000 since 2021. 

These contributions help cover essential costs like transportation, snacks, and program growth. This ensures that YONA remains accessible to the youth who need it and helps make the program more accessible.

YONA’s success is measured by more than musical achievements, it’s measured by the growth of its students. The program continues to support them as they gain confidence and resilience. From first-time violin players to high school graduates like Sejutee, YONA makes a meaningful difference in the lives of youth across Edmonton and surrounding communities.