Symphony Magazine: The Community an Orchestra Makes
From Summer 2013 edition of Symphony Magazine:
"Liza Austria, founder and director of UpBeat NYC, joined forces in 2009 with
her husband, mother, and brother to carry out her father’s dream of starting an El
Sistema-inspired núcleo. UpBeat NYC was founded in the South Bronx and began
with piano lessons—using a handful of donated keyboards. It has since grown to
include fi ve days of programming at three sites, a pre-orchestra program, and its fi rst
full orchestra. UpBeat operates on a shoestring budget, relying on the dedication and
talents of volunteer teachers for the past four years. Austria reports that initially the
neighborhood youth didn’t have strong parental support, but that parents are becoming
more involved as they understand what the program can do and how it can build
community."