The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) will host the 2021 Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards on April 24, 2021, in Tulsa with limited attendance. The event will be livestreamed on OKCNP’s website as well. Leading up to the event, we are celebrating the 21 Oklahoma nonprofit finalists in seven categories. Oklahoma Youth Orchestras (OKYO) is a finalist in the Arts and Humanities category.

“I am exceedingly proud of how our wonderful board of directors, staff, families and volunteers have come together through challenging times to encourage and inspire students with music education and leadership training,' said Melody Garza Mikkelsen, executive director, OKYO. “OKYO has enriched the lives of thousands over the past forty years, and we are so grateful and honored to now be recognized by OKCNP!”

Since OKYO’s founding in 1987, they have been serving the mission: “Through quality instrumental music education programs for students and accessible cultural offerings for the Community, OKYO provides opportunities for artistic excellence to central and western Oklahoma.”

Their programs include providing a weekly orchestral ensemble experience for over 300 students located in central and western Oklahoma. Students range from 8 – 18 years of age. In addition to being challenged beyond their traditional classrooms, OKYO provides a summer camp for middle school-aged string instrument students.

“I can’t imagine a life not performing with other people,” said Jaylin Vinson, violinist, senior, Midwest City High School. “Even just one rehearsal was transformative for me. I hadn’t played in an ensemble since March. That one single moment while we were playing Sibelius changed my life.”

OKYO adds to the student experience by bringing in world class guest artists and featuring their own senior members as soloists.

OKYO provides students with the confidence to continue their passion in music by giving younger students the opportunities to be involved in non-auditioned ensembles, and later auditioned ensembles, such as string orchestras, wind ensemble, guitar ensemble, etc.

“OKYO is a blessing to our family,” said Michelle Seybolt, parent volunteer. “It has allowed my son to find an extracurricular that speaks to his passion of music.”

To learn more about OKYO, visit their website: https://oyomusic.org/.

The ONE Awards is dedicated to honoring the outstanding work of Oklahoma nonprofits statewide. The ONE Awards also serves as the primary fundraising event for OKCNP. Proceeds from the ONE Awards enable OKCNP to serve communities throughout Oklahoma.

To learn more about the OKCNP ONE Awards or to watch the event, visit: https://www.okcnp.org/page/one-awards.