OrKidstra Expands Ottawa Reach with New Carlington Hub, Bringing the Power of Music and Community to More Children and Youth
Ottawa, ON — June 29, 2026 — OrKidstra is proud to announce a new partnership with the Carlington Community Health Centre (CCHC) that will establish a fourth OrKidstra Hub beginning in January 2027, expanding access to free music education, mentorship, and social development programming for children and youth in Ottawa.
Founded in 2007 as Canada’s first El Sistema-inspired program, OrKidstra began with just 27 children and a bold vision: to empower young people and build community through the universal language of music. Today, that vision has grown into a thriving program serving more than 800 children and youth from more than 62 cultural and linguistic backgrounds across Ottawa. Through both in-school and after-school programming, OrKidstra provides free instruments, intensive music instruction, ensemble experiences, mentorship, social development education, and leadership opportunities that help young people develop the skills they need to succeed in school, work, and life.
The new Carlington Hub will become OrKidstra’s fourth community-based location, allowing the organization to reach more children during the critical after-school hours between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. These hours are widely recognized by researchers and youth-serving organizations as an important window for positive youth development. Studies have consistently found that structured, supervised after-school programs contribute to improved academic outcomes, increased school engagement, stronger social-emotional skills, and reduced risk-taking behaviours by providing young people with safe environments, caring adult relationships, and meaningful opportunities to belong and contribute. This has proven true for Orkidstra’s participants, as 100% of OrKidstra students go on to graduate high school and pursue further learning opportunities.
For many families, access to high-quality after-school programming remains limited or inaccessible. The expansion into Carlington will help ensure that more children across Ottawa have access to a safe, welcoming community where they can learn, build friendships, develop confidence, and discover their potential through music.
“Community health centres understand that healthy communities are built through connection, opportunity, and belonging,” said Yacouba Traoré, Executive Director of Carlington Community Health Centre. “We are thrilled to partner with OrKidstra to bring this transformative program to Carlington. Music has a unique ability to build bridges across cultures, strengthen resilience, and create opportunities for young people to thrive. Together, we are investing in the well-being and future success of children and families in our community.”
The partnership reflects a shared commitment between OrKidstra and CCHC to reducing barriers and creating opportunities for equity-deserving children and youth. By locating programming within an established and trusted community hub, the organizations hope to create stronger connections between families, schools, community services, and positive developmental opportunities.
For OrKidstra, the expansion represents the next chapter in nearly two decades of growth and impact.
“When we founded OrKidstra in 2007, we dreamed of creating a place where every child could experience the joy, challenge, and belonging that come from making music together,” said Tina Fedeski, Co-Founder and Artistic Managing Director of OrKidstra. “What began with 27 children has grown into a community of more than 800 young people, but the need – and the waitlist – continues to grow. Opening a new Hub in partnership with the Carlington Community Health Centre means more children will have access to a safe and inspiring place after school, a place where they are seen, valued, challenged, and supported to reach their full potential.”
2026 Graduating OrKidstra student, Ayaan, age 18, who plays the violin, has been with OrKidstra for 13 years. He shares that “OrKidstra has opened doors for me by helping me learn how to support others, both through music and through just personal growth. I think helping other people is a wonderful thing and I think OrKidstra is something that embodies that perfectly.”
The Carlington Hub will join OrKidstra’s existing network of community-based programs, extending the organization’s ability to provide intensive, long-term support for children and youth through music. Students participating in OrKidstra gain access not only to music instruction and performance opportunities, but also to mentorship, leadership development, academic support, and a strong sense of community that often continues well into adulthood.
As OrKidstra approaches its twentieth anniversary, the organization remains committed to its founding belief that music can be a powerful force for social change and developmental growth. Through this new partnership with Carlington Community Health Centre, even more children will have the opportunity to discover their voice, build meaningful connections, and create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS:
About OrKidstra – Sistema Ottawa
OrKidstra empowers children and builds community through music. Through free, long-term music education, mentorship, and leadership programs, more than 800 children and youth ages 5 to 18 from equity-deserving Ottawa communities participate each year, representing more than 62 linguistic and cultural backgrounds. At the heart of OrKidstra are its core values of Love, Courage, Excellence, and Belonging.
About the Carlington Community Health Centre
Carlington Community Health Centre is a community-governed organization providing integrated health, social, and community services. Through its Healthy Growth and Development programs, CCHC supports children, youth, and families by promoting health, well-being, belonging, and equitable access to opportunities.
Media Contacts:
Chelsea Dunn McIntyre
Director of Development & Communications, OrKidstra – Sistema Ottawa
OrKidstra.ca | development@orkidstra.ca | 613-261-4600
Sara Carrillo
Communications & Resource Development Coordinator
Carlington Community Health Centre
carlingtonchc.org | communications@carlingtonchc.org
