Music brings joy, and at UConn, JOY brings music. The Jorgensen Outreach for Youth (JOY!) program for nearly 20 years has sought to enrich the lives of youngsters throughout Eastern Connecticut, providing them free tickets and transportation to cultural events held at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, bringing artists and UConn faculty to area schools for master classes and residency programs, and encouraging young musicians with scholarships for music lessons through the JOY Conservatory.

The JOY Conservatory is the biggest component of JOY, funded through donations and corporate sponsorships. Over the years, it has become increasingly competitive – this year, about 85 students auditioned and 43 $1,200 scholarships were awarded, according to Jorgensen director Rodney Rock. The caliber of musicians has skyrocketed as well. In November, two JOY Conservatory students performed on NPR’s “From the Top,” which features young classical musicians, when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen.

Sofia Gilchenok, viola, age 16, was one of two JOY Conservatory students among a number of young classical musicians who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top' when it recorded two live shows at Jorgensen on Nov. 17. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

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Sofia Gilchenok, viola, age 16, was one of two JOY Conservatory students among a number of young classical musicians who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top' when it recorded two live shows at Jorgensen on Nov. 17. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

Amy Goto, cello, age 14, was one of two JOY Conservatory students among a number of young classical musicians who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top' when it recorded two live shows at Jorgensen on Nov. 17. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

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Amy Goto, cello, age 14, was one of two JOY Conservatory students among a number of young classical musicians who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top' when it recorded two live shows at Jorgensen on Nov. 17. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

Priyanka Gohal, harp, age 16, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

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Priyanka Gohal, harp, age 16, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

Tony Yun, piano, age 17, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

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Tony Yun, piano, age 17, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

Camden Archambeau, cello, age 17, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

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Camden Archambeau, cello, age 17, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

Laura Futamura, flute, age 17, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

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Laura Futamura, flute, age 17, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

Taylor Akin, bassoon, age 17, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

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Taylor Akin, bassoon, age 17, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

Miray Ito, violin, age 15, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top, when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

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Miray Ito, violin, age 15, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top, when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

Tristan Paradee, piano, age 17, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

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Tristan Paradee, piano, age 17, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

Ethan Fisher-Chaves, violin, age 15, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

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Ethan Fisher-Chaves, violin, age 15, was among the other students who performed on NPR’s 'From the Top,' when it recorded two live shows in one night at Jorgensen. (Photo courtesy of 'From the Top')

Listen as Julie Bartucca of the UConn 360 podcast takes us inside the Conservatory and its November recital.

For full episodes of the UConn 360 podcast, visit uconn.edu/uconn360-podcast.