Youth Orchestras of Namibia - YONA

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Youth Orchestras of Namibia - YONA

Youth Orchestras of Namibia (YONA) has a vision to transform the lives of youth through music. Every child is part of an ensemble or orchestra.

We give opportunities to children who would otherwise not have access to music education. At YONA, children learn to play orchestra instruments such as violin, viola, cello, clarinet, oboe, flute and recorder. Our Vision: Social transformation through music
Our Mission: Using music and the orchestra as a tool to foster social transformation; creating unity within diversity, and to develop children academically, socially and personally

22/08/2026

YONA wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to the Pupkewitz Foundation for becoming our first Legacy Patron, with a generous pledge of N$10,000 as part of the Harold Pupkewitz birthday celebration.

Since 2016, YONA has been dedicated to music education, offering children and young people across Namibia the opportunity to develop musical skills, build character, and experience community through the arts. This pledge represents a meaningful investment in that mission and in the future of Namibia’s youth.

We are deeply grateful for the Foundation’s support and partnership.

YONAImpact

12/08/2026

Meet Maano, a musician in our Senior Ensemble who’s been with YONA since 2019. She plays several instruments, but it’s violin that means the most to her — she describes it as a way to express emotion without needing words.

One memory stands out for her: a movie night YONA hosted with volunteers Christina and Anna, all curled up watching Moana together. It’s the kind of moment that sticks with you.

Beyond music, Maano’s got her sights set high — she dreams of becoming an astronaut one day.

We’re proud to celebrate young musicians like Maano, whose journey reflects the power of music to inspire growth and connection. Here’s to 10 years of music and the journeys that make YONA what it is.

06/08/2026

A weekend to remember. 🎶✨

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Young Wind Band Concert. It was an afternoon filled with beautiful music, growth, and collaboration, and we’re so grateful to everyone who made it possible.

Here’s a little recap of some of our favourite moments. 💙🎺

04/08/2026

🎶✨ A beautiful collaboration!

A big thank you to DHPS Klasse 5 for participating in our Young Wind Band Concert at BNC over the weekend! Your contribution added something truly special to the performance. 🎺🎵

The combination sounded beautiful, and we look forward to future, brighter collaborations together! 🌟

30/07/2026

A few of our favorite moments from the second YONA concert in YONA's 10th Anniversary Concert Series, held on 27 June 2026 at St George’s Diocesan School. What an unforgettable afternoon! ✨🎵

29/07/2026

Give YONA a head-start for the next 10 years! A birthday present of N$10 000 will encourage us greatly and help us to reach more children with the gift of music. To show our gratitude, we will give you recognition on social media and on our concert programme on 12 September, as well as 10 complimentary tickets. Contact us as [email protected] for more information.

28/07/2026

Join us for the third concert in YONA’s 10th Anniversary Concert Series!

📍Bernard Nordkamp Centre, Hans Uirab Str, Katutura
📆 1 August 2026 14h00
🌸 Free entrance | Donations welcome

25/07/2026

If you know YONA, you probably know Edlin, our concert master. He’s been around for a minute, and he’s one of our most talented musicians — equally at home on Violin, Piano and Double Bass, currently playing Violin with the Senior Ensemble and Double Bass with the Junior Ensemble.

Asked about his favourite YONA memory, he pointed to Enrico’s masterclasses — though he loves everything about YONA, he says. As for what’s next, Edlin’s eyeing a future in either Medicine or Music. Some of his favorite pieces include the Mozart String Quartet No.4 as well as the Pirates of the Carribean soundtrack.

We’re proud to celebrate young musicians like Edlin, whose journey reflects the power of music to inspire growth and connection. Here’s to 10 years of music and the journeys that make YONA what it is.

07/07/2026

Magano joined YONA in 2019 and is now a dedicated member of both our Senior Ensemble and Young Wind Band.
For her, music is about much more than learning an instrument—it has helped her build confidence, strengthen her self-esteem, and experience the joy of creating music together with others that touches people’s hearts.
One of her favourite YONA memories is Musikwoche in Swakopmund, and she hopes to continue her musical journey by studying music and becoming a qualified flute teacher. We’re proud to celebrate young musicians like Magano, whose journey reflects the power of music to inspire confidence, growth, and community. Here’s to 10 years of music and the journeys that make YONA what it is.

24/04/2026

For 10 years, YONA has been building something that goes far beyond the stage.
What audiences see in concerts is only one part of the story. Behind it lies a continuous process of learning and development — one that shapes how young people think, focus, and engage with the world.
Research shows that learning music changes the brain: it strengthens connections, supports neuroplasticity, and requires multiple systems to work together at once. Over time, this is linked to improvements in how we process information, concentrate, and solve problems.
Have you noticed that learning music affects your overall performance and abilities?
If you want to read more on this, here are some sources:
- Wan, C. Y., & Schlaug, G. (2010). Music making as a tool for promoting brain plasticity. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
- Herholz, S. C., & Zatorre, R. J. (2012). Musical training as a framework for brain plasticity: behavior, function, and structure. Neuron.

Address

3 Jackson Kaujeua
Windhoek West
9000

Website

http://www.yonamibia.org/, https://www.youtube.com/@yonayouthorchestrasofnamib7430

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