About Us
Our Mission
BRAVO Youth Orchestras transforms lives and improves educational outcomes through free, accessible music education for students of all ages in North Portland.
Our Vision
BRAVO envisions a joyful, resilient North Portland where students thrive in a diverse community of creative, confident artists committed to social justice.
Our Core Values
INCLUSION
Embracing racial, cultural, economic and all forms of diversity by honoring the unique contributions of each student and family.
COMMUNITY
Fostering connections by integrating and investing in student, family and community voices.
LEADERSHIP
Creating space for students to realize their talents and potential and come into their own power.
CURIOSITY
Exploring, learning and creating by using artistic talent and imagination.
EQUITY
Re-allocating resources and offering opportunities to create more equitable access for students and families.
BRAVO creates the opportunity for students to experience the joyful and transformative power of music and the performing arts.
History
In 1975, a small band of idealistic friends in Venezuela led by José Antonio Abreu gathered to improve the lives of Venezuela’s youth through the power of music through an organization called El Sistema. They found an abandoned garage to use as a practice space and invited families to bring their children that weekend to join a new youth orchestra. 40 years later, the movement has now grown to serve over 750,000 children annually through a national network of music centers and orchestras and has inspired an international movement in over 50 countries.
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Planning for BRAVO Youth Orchestras began in 2011. The organization researched existing music and youth enrichment programs, contacted leaders of the El Sistema movement, and visited programs in several states. In 2013, the organization decided to form a new non-profit with a dual mission of effective social service and rigorous music education. The organization secured initial funding from Dr. Bonnie Reagan and her husband Dr. Peter Reagan and the Vibrant Village Foundation which helped them secure their founding location at Rosa Parks School. The first 40 students enrolled in the After-school Program made paper violins at a party on September 21, 2013.
Today, BRAVO Youth Orchestras has expanded its mission to include other performing arts avenues that it believes helps disadvantaged children nurture their passions and talents while moving towards a light of success. As a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation that began with a goal of providing after-school and in-school music programs to students in grades K-8, Bravo is on a mission to continue expanding its reach and inclusion efforts in Northern Portland through meaningful scholastic partnerships, community programs, and youth leadership developmental opportunities.
El Sistema USA
BRAVO Youth Orchestras is also proudly associated with El Sistema USA, a national network of over 140 member organizations that provides vivid inspiration, professional training, and high-quality support to help communities build youth orchestra programs. Akin to El Sistema’s mission, we aspire to cultivate the changemaker within every child and see music as a positive medium towards social change in our country. We are grateful to El Sistema USA for the access they provide to numerous resources, funding support and collaboration opportunities designed to foster sustainable success in the field.