Street Symphony

Street Symphony was founded by MacArthur Fellow Vijay Gupta in 2011. Gupta 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 over 400 musical events and performances for communities affected by homelessness and incarceration, helping individuals find and share their artistic voice and become agents of change. The Symphony is comprised of 70 world-renowned musicians, and the organization puts on monthly performances at Skid Row shelters and county jails. In addition to these monthly events, Street Symphony operates the Messiah Project, a critically acclaimed annual performance 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 disenfranchised community, creative expression, and professional opportunities.