OverviewOrKidstra is a social development program for kids
OrKidstra is an Ottawa-based social development program that empowers kids, ages 5-18, from equity-deserving communities by teaching life skills – such as teamwork, commitment, respect and pride in achievement – through the universal language of music. With the passionate belief in the transformative power of music, OrKidstra started with 27 children in 2007 and now includes 700 children and youth, both in-school* and after-school, from over 62 linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
OrKidstra is a registered charity (# 83246 7153 RR0001).
*Funded by the school boards (OCDSB).
Philosophy & InspirationCitizenship through musicianship
Our Philosophy
OrKidstra brings the joys and challenges of making music together to children who might otherwise be left out.
OrKidstra is far more than a music program – it is first and foremost a social development program, giving children a sense of belonging and achievement while fostering important life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, responsibility, creativity, dedication and communication.
Our Sistema-inspired Philosophy:
- Create extensive and intensive community connections.
- Kid-powered performance; passion over precision.
- Playing together teaches kids how to build a harmonious community.
- Encourage peer-to-peer structure, which breaks down barriers and fosters friendship.
- Create a sense of belonging with joy and fun.
The skills I learned at OrKidstra were more than just playing instruments: music helped me develop teamwork skills, increase self-confidence and build life-long friendships.
Our Inspiration
OrKidstra was inspired by the idea that music can be an agent of social change.
Tina Fedeski, Margaret Tobolowska, and Gary McMillen founded OrKidstra in 2007. Originally known as The Leading Note Foundation as well as OrKidstra, the Ottawa-based organization was the first El Sistema-inspired program outside of South America. At the heart of OrKidstra is the beautiful combination of musicianship and citizenship, which encourages kids from equity-deserving communities to find their voice through music.
Sistema Music for social change
The principles of El Sistema are simple: children from low-income and equity-deserving areas are given an instrument as soon as they can hold it. Tuition, instruments, and music are all provided free of charge. In return, each child commits to playing in an ensemble. The program emphasizes community building, cooperation, friendship, discipline, trust, commitment, compassion, respect, and self-esteem.
The philosophy of El Sistema has inspired hundreds of similar programs, which serve an estimated over one million children in at least sixty countries around the world. Please visit the Sistema Global website, The World (WE) Ensemble website, or watch the documentary Teaching the Life of Music which follows El Sistema’s impact for more information.
Thank you to the Sistema Canada Network for their monetary support of OrKidstra in 2024-25.
Please click here for a statement from OrKidstra on El Sistema Venezuela.
Sistema-inspired programs now exist in at least 65 countries all around the world: here are a few examples of these.
Canadian Programs
American Programs
- Atlanta Music Project
- B Sharp Youth Music
- Boston String Academy
- BRAVO Youth Orchestras
- CityMusicKidz Youth Orchestra
- El Sistema Oklahoma
- Harmony Program
- Kalikolehua – El Sistema Hawai‘i
- Kids’ Orchestra
- North Limestone MusicWorks
- Play On, Philly!
- Sistema Ravinia
- Yakima Music en Acción (YAMA)
- Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA)
International Programs
- Ankara Caka
- Arpegio Perú
- Child’s Play India
- CRASHENDO!
- El Sistema Japan
- El Sistema Kenya
- El Sistema Nacional de Orquestas y Coros Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela
- Miracle Choir and Orchestra
- Music Enlightenment Project
- Music Project Sri Lanka
- Orquesta-Escuela Mediterranea
- Sistema Scotland
- Sistema Europe
Board of Directors
Staff
Celebrating OrKidstra’s AmbassadorsLeading by example
OrKidstra’s Ambassadors, Angela Hewitt, CC, OBE, Alexander Shelley, and Kellylee Evans, are inspiring leaders both in the community and the world of music. They perform in the greatest concert halls internationally and command critical acclaim. Their finely tuned talent and passion for their craft stand as a shining example to all musicians, but their commitment to OrKidstra is truly a gift.
Through master classes, special rehearsals and performances, OrKidstra’s students have the opportunity to play with and learn from, the very best. For OrKidstra’s young musicians, this is the benefit and joy of following the steps of OrKidstra’s exceptional Ambassadors.
Angela Hewitt, C.C., O.B.E.
Internationally acclaimed pianist Angela Hewitt became OrKidstra’s first Ambassador in 2014. In accepting this position, Ms. Hewitt said, “OrKidstra has shown how music can change the prospects of children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn an instrument. I am delighted to lend my name to their efforts.”
Ms. Hewitt plays to audiences all over the world and yet holds deep affection for her hometown Ottawa. In the fall of 2017, Ms. Hewitt generously performed at a hugely successful fundraising concert in celebration of OrKidstra’s 10th Anniversary.
Alexander Shelley
In 2015, Alexander Shelley became the celebrated Music Director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. He is also Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. In 2016, Maestro Shelley joined Angela Hewitt in becoming an OrKidstra Ambassador.
He says “It’s an absolute badge of honour for me to be involved in this remarkable organization. I’ve only known OrKidstra for a few years, but even in that short time I have seen and heard tremendous growth. These children from Ottawa’s equity-deserving areas are a shining example of how music can uplift the mind and spirit.”
Kellylee Evans
Kellylee Evans is a JUNO award-winning Canadian jazz and soul singer and songwriter based in Ottawa. Over the past 15 years, Ms. Evans has been winning over audiences with forays into jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and pop, including her new, five-song EP, GREENLIGHT.
Ms. Evans became an OrKidstra Ambassador in 2019. She commented, “I have been an ardent admirer of the OrKidstra program for a number of years, watching children grow and flourish under the loving care of its teachers and volunteers. What this organization gives to our community cannot be quantified. Being asked to be an Ambassador for the program brings me immense joy, as does the honour of joining the ranks of my fellow Ambassadors. It is my hope that I can be of service to OrKidstra and its talented students.”
As we reflect on our 2022-23 season, we are filled with a profound sense of gratitude for our OrKidstra family. Our collective efforts to rebuild and revitalize after the challenges of the last few years have created an even stronger and reconnected community. Guided by our shared values of Love, Courage, Excellence, and Belonging, our full return to in-person programming in 2022-23 brought significant growth for both our students and OrKidstra.
As the opportunity returned to make music together, we were delighted to welcome almost 100 beginner students to our after-school programming at our Centre and Vanier Hubs. For the first time since 2019, we watched our Beginner Instrumental students fall in love with their instruments and learn side-by-side with their peers, building relationships that we know will develop into beautiful life-long friendships. In December, we celebrated our first in-person Holiday Concerts since before the pandemic. It was a meaningful experience for everyone involved, especially for students who had to muster up the Courage
to perform live for the first time. It’s been truly inspiring to witness our older students stepping into mentorship roles, guiding younger and newer members through challenges, fostering their musical growth, and showing them that a sense of Belonging can be found at OrKidstra.
Strengthened by your support, OrKidstra was able to provide awe-inspiring opportunities and life-changing experiences for our students by reconnecting with the Ottawa community in 2022-23. Our students showcased their Excellence and dedication to community building at many high-profile events, including having the honour of gracing the stage at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards. In the spring, 25 of our senior students also took part in a transformative experience collaborating and performing with musicians from the world-renowned Chineke! Orchestra, deepening their awareness of musicality, teamwork, passion, and possibility.
The success of our 2022-23 season is a testament to the resilience and commitment of our OrKidstra family. Our dedicated students, volunteers, Board, Teaching Artists, staff, Ambassadors, donors, sponsors, and partners are the true conductors behind OrKidstra’s magic. By championing our efforts with steadfast support and unwavering Love, you are playing a key part in empowering children and youth to reach their full potential through the joys and challenges of music-making.
With boundless thanks and appreciation,
Paul Wells, Chair, 2022-23
Tina Fedeski, MSM, Co-Founder and Executive & Artistic Director
View the OrKidstra Annual Report 2022-23
Special thanks to Aerographics Creative Services for their support in the design and production of the Annual Report.
Annual Reports
Audited Financial Statements
- Audited Statements 2022-2023
- Audited Statements 2021-2022
- Audited Statements 2020-2021
- Audited Statements 2019-2020
- Audited Statements 2018-2019
- Audited Statements 2017-2018
- Audited Statements 2016-2017
- Audited Statements 2015-2016
- Audited Statements 2014-2015
- Audited Statements 2013-2014
- Audited Statements 2012-2013
Please note that OrKidstra’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
More info about OrKidstra can be found on OrKidstra’s Charity Directorate site (CRA) and on Blumberg’s Charity Data site.
ImpactMaking A Difference
OrKidstra’s 2023-24 Impact Report
Your support is changing kids’ lives through the power of music!
Despite the recognized value of music to the growing mind, almost 55,000 children attending elementary school in Ottawa have no specialist music teacher (Ottawa Insights), and private music lessons are largely out of reach due to financial constraints, cultural differences, settlement difficulties, and language barriers. Youth in high-risk areas are also more likely to drop out of school, which continues the cycle of poverty.
In the hands of a child, a clarinet or violin becomes a remarkable instrument of change, growth, and empowerment. OrKidstra gives kids from equity-deserving Ottawa communities a sense of belonging and achievement while fostering important life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, responsibility, creativity, dedication and communication.
OrKidstra helps kids become virtuoso adults.
*In-school (funded by the school boards) and after-school.
**2023-24 OrKidstra Student, Parent and Teacher Survey. Participants indicated their perception of growth from September 2023 to June 2024.
***Centretown, Vanier, Overbrook, Heron Gate, and Lowertown (Ottawa, ON, Canada)
%
of OrKidstra graduates have completed high school and gone on to post-secondary education
%
of students participate for free
students and counting*
different cultural & linguistic backgrounds
%
of OrKidstra parents say their child is more aware of how important it is to be kind to others**
%
of OrKidstra parents say their child is doing better in school**
%
of OrKidstra parents say the OrKidstra experience has helped their child's concentration**
%
of students say they find it more enjoyable to be challenged.**
%
of students say they appreciate the opportunities and mentorship they have received at OrKidstra**
equity-deserving Ottawa neighbourhoods***
Stories
Strategic PlanCrescendo 2026: OrKidstra's 3-Year Strategic Plan
View Crescendo 2026: OrKidstra's 3-Year Strategic Plan
The rising demand for OrKidstra’s programs has led us toward thoughtful plans for strategic growth. In 2020, the pandemic altered many things, including timelines, community needs, and priorities. Thankfully, OrKidstra emerged from the challenges of the last few years with a deeper appreciation for flexibility and an understanding that the needs of the communities we serve have expanded.
With the benefit of 16 years of experience creatively adapting to meet the needs of our community, we have worked together to re-modulate our path forward and are pleased to present Crescendo 2026: OrKidstra’s 3-Year Strategic Plan.
We will share our progress with our active and committed OrKidstra family and remain committed to our vision of a future where all children and youth have the opportunity to find their voice and build their potential through music.