About The Youth Orchestra
The Central Florida Community Arts Youth Orchestra welcomes all young musicians with at least one year of playing experience on their instruments all the way up until 18 years of age! Our orchestra encompasses all instruments in the string, brass, woodwind, and percussion families, and we are home to many students that are looking for an ensemble to play with and students that also are highly active in their school’s orchestra or band programs.
Our seasons always feature fun and challenging musical repertoire that will help you or your student grow as a musician and have lots of fun with the ensemble while working hard. And each season culminates in a performance for friends and family to showcase all of our hard work.
Our predominantly weekend commitments make this the perfect home for traditional students and home-schoolers alike as we know that your school ensembles and events are a top priority for you!
We would love to have you on stage with us at our next performance! Please fill out the Interest Form if you would like to receive more information from our team, and they will reach out to you to assist!
Fall 2023 Season
Season Kickoff: Sunday, August 20
Rehearsals: Sundays from 2:30-4:30pm
No rehearsal Sunday, September 3, in observance of Labor Day
Location: Cornerstone Charter Academy (5903 Randolph Ave, Belle Isle, FL 32809)
Performance:
Myths & Monsters
November 12 at 3:00pm
Cornerstone Charter Academy (5903 Randolph Ave, Belle Isle, FL 32809)
Registration
We need everyone (including returning members) to fill out the CFCArts Youth Orchestra Fall Registration Form for this season.
Notes:
- There are a few links within this form that will take you to different pages, like PayPal, but PLEASE make sure you return to the registration form and answer all the questions until it allows you to click SUBMIT at the end.
- After you click SUBMIT, it will email you a copy of your answers. If you do not receive a copy of your answers, we likely did not receive your completed registration. We ask that you first try it again, and then if you still have any issues, contact Nikki at yao@cfcarts.com.
Performance
This season is going to be an incredible adventure! We'll be featuring music for String Orchestra, Concert Band, and Full Orchestra that focuses on epic journeys, mythological creatures, noble quests, and more!
Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, November 11, 2:00-5:00pm at Cornerstone Charter Academy (5903 Randolph Ave, Belle Isle, FL 32809)
This is the ONLY commitment that is not on a Sunday afternoon.
Performance: Sunday, November 12, at 3:00pm at Cornerstone Charter Academy (5903 Randolph Ave, Belle Isle, FL 32809)
Tuition
Tuition for Fall 2023 will be $150. Payment links are included in the Registration Form! Financial assistance and payment plans are also available. Please email yao@cfcarts.com with any questions.
Meet The Youth Orchestra Team

Rob Cothran
Youth Orchestra Director
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Rob Cothran is excited for the opportunity to lead the students of the CFCArts Youth Orchestra! Rob completed a Bachelor of Music Education and graduate assistantship at Auburn University with trumpet as his principal instrument. He spent 12 years as a high school band director, teaching AP Music Theory and IB Music in Alabama. Rob’s concert, marching, and jazz ensembles consistently earned superior ratings in assessment and competition. Rob had multiple ensembles selected to perform at the Alabama Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference, The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade (Chicago, Illinois), The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade (Washington, D.C.), and numerous other honor bands and festivals. Rob is currently active as a wind and marching band clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor. Rob’s professional playing experience includes cruise ship bands throughout Europe and the Caribbean, freelancing in the San Francisco Bay Area and the southeastern United States, and numerous pit orchestras. Rob was a founding member of the Alabama Winds, an all-adult wind band whose mission is “to foster and promote the appreciation of high-quality wind band music through performances of artistic merit for our audience, the residents of the state of Alabama and the members of the ensemble.” Rob has performed with the Alabama Winds at the Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra, and Music Conference in Chicago, Illinois, as well as on tour throughout Europe. Rob performed for over a decade with the Auburn Knights Orchestra, a jazz and swing big band performing continuously since its founding in Auburn, Alabama, in 1929. In addition to serving as a conductor for the CFCArts Youth Orchestra, Rob also performs with the CFCArts Big Band and Symphony Orchestra. Rob currently works in the student travel industry where he coordinates worldwide travel opportunities for student performing ensembles of all sizes and ages. He lives in Minneola, Florida, with Allison (his wife), Rhett (his dog), and Gibbs (his cat).

Nichole Oxley
Youth Orchestra Administrator
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Nikki Oxley is the CFCArts Youth Orchestra Administrator. She plays flute with the adult orchestra and has enjoyed volunteering with the Youth Orchestra in the past few years. She is thankful for the opportunity to play in the CFCArts Orchestra and recently performed in Classic(al) Rock and Winter Wonderland. Nikki has been playing with the adult orchestra since 2017. She began learning the flute in 5th grade, grew up in Rhode Island, and participated in all the band activities that she could throughout her high school career. Nikki was in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Honors Band, pit orchestra (Bye Bye Birdie), and Southern New England Honors Band. Her band would always get to march at the Big E (New England’s version of the state fair). A fun fact about Nikki is that she enjoys going SCUBA diving. She hopes to be able to dive the Vandenburg shipwreck in Key West soon. Nikki is so excited to be part of the Youth Orchestra team! She first helped out with the Youth Orchestra as an adult orchestra mentor when her daughters were members. What she enjoys most about this group is seeing the musical progress and growth that the young musicians make in such a short time. Nikki can’t wait to see all that they’ll accomplish together in the future!

Victoria Ison
Youth Orchestra Member Ambassador
Join Us
Register for the upcoming season!
Attend a Show
See us perform at an upcoming show!
Questions?
Call: 407-937-1800 Ext 704