Making music fun and accessible for all
Since 2018
We believe music is a vital way to have a better coexistence
That’s why everyone should have access to it.
About us
We are East River Children and Youth Orchestras
An Instrumental/Orchestral music program that cultivates and practices teamwork and community integration through excellence and artistic qualities
We believe music is a vital way to have a better coexistence
That’s why everyone should have access to it.
About us
We are East River Children and Youth Orchestras
An Instrumental/Orchestral music program that cultivates and practices teamwork and community integration through excellence and artistic qualities
Ways we help
CHARACTER BUILDING
- Improves organizational & time management skills
- Teaches responsibility
- Teaches perseverance
- Encourages the ability to achieve personal goals
SELF-ESTEEM
- Builds confidence
- Creates a sense of cultural grounding
- Builds a sense of achievement
- Instills a sense of pride
- Increases social skills
- Provides a sense of community and team belonging
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
- Improves literacy skills, reading/comprehension
- Improves math and reasoning skills
- Increases memory capacity
- Improves concentration
- Improves coordination
- Increases memory skills and IQ
Our Story
ERCAYO
Samuel Marchan, is a Venezuelan musician, New Yorker by adoption where for more than 20 years has been performing and building Orchestral music programs in New York and New Jersey Public Education System as well as important organizations such as the Kaufman Center, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. He is an active member of important organizations such as El Sistema USA, the Americas Suzuki Federation. Samuel Marchan is the Artistic Director and Cofounder of the United Children Music Project, which is the pioneer el Sistema inspired program in New Jersey.
East River Children and Youth Orchestras Program (ERCAYO) is an orchestral formation inspired and modeled on the 40 year old program the Venezuela’s Youth Orchestras Program, internationally known as El Sistema. The program is home to artistic excellence, hard work, and social inclusion.
El Sistema has become a worldwide reference in high artistry amongst the youth, especially in countries with immigrant communities in need for a more dynamic integration. There are more than one hundred El Sistema inspired programs across the United States and approximately five hundred around the globe. One of our most notable alumni is Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, Conductor of Los Angeles Philharmonic.
ERCAYO was founded in October 2018 in Chinatown, New York in the African-American and Hispanic community, and where we foster partnerships with many organizations working with Asian-American youth and children. The program has developed unique and innovative teaching methodologies that make the learning process fun and engaging. Over the past two years ERCAYO has participated in Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Youth Orchestra Program and the NYC Venezuelan Arts Festival.
The teachers joy is the smile of his pupils
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