SMYOC is a non-profit providing musical training and performance opportunities for talented young instrumentalists/singers in Maryland’s Tri-county. The organization started as a single-ensemble youth orchestra rehearsing in St. Mary’s County, but since its first season in 2013, it has grown to 7 ensembles rehearsing in both St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties, with approximately 100 participants coming from all 3 counties. SMYOC currently operates 2 orchestras (a youth orchestra and a preparatory strings orchestra); 4 choirs (2 in St. Mary’s County; 2 in Calvert County); 1 Pops Band; and several small ensembles which provide students with more informal music making opportunities and special performances.. For the above 7 formal performance ensembles, we currently employ 5 part-time professional conductors/directors. Julien Benichou serves as our Music Director. He is also music director of the Chesapeake Youth Orchestra and the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. In doing what we do, SMYOC hopes to enhance the personal growth and sense of community for each participant while also broadening their access to opportunities beyond SMYOC. We believe in the transformative power of the arts to bring youth together in communal purpose and passion. We also hope to strengthen the tri-county community, by enriching the arts culture and expanding the opportunities that exist for youth with musical interests. Our students pay tuition, but we also offer general financial aid to any family who has need of it. Our tuition income supports only about 36% of our operating budget, however.