Street Symphony

Street Symphony was established in 2011 by MacArthur fellow Vijay Gupta, who was the youngest violinist to perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. After leaving the LA Phil in 2019, Gupta dedicated himself to building Street Symphony and working on social justice issues.

Since its founding, Street Symphony has offered more than 400 musical events and performances for unhoused and incarcerated communities, helping individuals find and share their artistic voice and become agents of change. Anchored by accomplished professional musicians, the symphony stages monthly performances at Skid Row shelters and county jails. In addition, Street Symphony operates the Messiah Project, a critically acclaimed annual performance built around George Frideric Handel's Messiah and featuring the stories and experiences of community members. The organization's Daniel Chaney Teaching Artist program pairs professional artists with individuals experiencing homelessness to further bridge the gap between this community, creative expression, and professional opportunities.