Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi to open in January 2027 with free music education

The Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has established a dedicated institution for the Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi. The institution will form an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s music and performing arts landscape, advancing the emirate’s cultural vision to widen access to artistic excellence and build a vibrant cultural ecosystem for the future. It will provide free access to world-class music education programmes for aspiring young musicians.

Set to open in January 2027 in the Mina Zayed (MiZa) district, Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi’s 600-seat concert hall and 18 rehearsal and practice rooms will provide a professional-standard environment for collective music-making. Enrollment for the first cohort of 100 students aged 6–9 will begin in October 2026. Over the coming years, the programme will nurture young musicians through training in both Western classical and Arabic musical traditions. Additional ensembles for advanced students will be introduced during the first year of the programme.

The programme will establish long-term pathways for young people across the emirate to engage with music, develop their skills and progress over time.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “The Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi is an important investment in our future and in our commitment to making culture and creativity accessible to all. Through its free-access to world-class music education programmes, we are creating opportunities for young people to discover their talent, develop their potential and experience the lifelong benefits that music can bring. Beyond technical ability, music fosters discipline, collaboration, creativity and confidence, qualities that shape well-rounded individuals, enrich communities and contribute to a more vibrant society.

The Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi will become both a platform for emerging talent and a cornerstone of the emirate’s growing cultural ecosystem. As Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global centre for culture and creativity, and as a UNESCO Creative City of Music, institutions such as this ensure the next generation has every opportunity to participate in, contribute to and shape our cultural future, while preserving the rich musical traditions that form an important part of our heritage.”

The building has been designed by the late Frank Gehry, a pioneering figure in contemporary architecture and the architect of the recently announced performing arts institution Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi. His architectural contributions to Abu Dhabi also include the design of the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat Cultural District.

Youth Orchestra Abu Dhabi reflects the emirate’s continued investment in creative talent, cultural participation and the performing arts, supporting personal development and fostering community connection through creative expression.