The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles presented its 17th Annual Season Finale Concert featuring a new composition written by ICYOLA members, Estancia by Ginastera, and a tribute to Quincy Jones featuring singer Sheléa.
By Judy Shields
The Walt Disney Concert Hall, (The Hollywood Times) 06/21/2025
World-acclaimed singer/songwriter/producer/
The event marked the conclusion of ICYOLA’s 17th performance season and celebrates the remarkable talent and dedication of its young musicians. As their special guest, Sheléa performed a tribute to the late, legendary Quincy Jones.
What an amazing Sunday afternoon it was at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. To have had the opportunity to watch and listen to all the amazing and talented musicians who are part of The Inner City Youth Orchestra…BRAVO! So many standing ovation performances. If you have not had the opportunity to hear this amazing youth orchestra players, you must find the time to do so.
The founder, Executive Director & Conductor Charles Dickerson III showed us all what an amazing conductor he is. He is a great speaker and shared many stories of putting together the youth orchestra and how it is run. After telling us about his upbringing and learning about music, he talked about his high school music teacher. He told us that he has her flown out to be there and brought her up on stage. What a magical and emotional moment that was. That was truly moving.
Please check out this link to find out all about the festivities and the names of all the talented orchestra players, their bios and photos of all those that took part of this amazing afternoon concert.
https://dpb-web.instantencore.com/program/48739/our-17th-annual-season-fi/page/227350/home?cid=5206220
Here is the list of the performances.
Please check out their website to find their upcoming shows later this year and in 2026. https://icyola.org/
Here are some photos taken throughout the concert:
Here is a video of the performances. The world premiere of “Elements”, Drum Corps, Young musicians and of course Sheléa. There is a scene where Sheléa is starting to dance and said her husband is not here and then Charles Dickerson III gets up and starts to run to her and she laughs and says his wife is backstage, as he walks back to his chair. So funny! Enjoy.
These were the four soloist part of ICYOA/LACO, Elements: Concerto for Four Instruments and Orchestra, *World Premiere*. They were all amazing with their talented instruments, that just sang to us all.
Sheléa graced the stage in her beautiful light blue sequined dress, after Executive Director & Conductor Charles Dickerson III introduced her. She just happened to tell us that she felt like “Cinderella” in her dress and that this was the first time she had performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. I know she was felling like a princess and a Diva too. She sure brought happiness with her angelic and mesmerizing voice. She also had us singing along and making us laugh. She was there to pay tribute to her dear friend the late Quincy Jones and the Black Divas of Soul. Don’t forget to check out the video where she performs a couple great songs at the end of that video. She performed “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone, “Till You Come Bank to Me by Aretha Franklin, her own song “Something’s Coming”, “Somewhere” from West Side Story and “Home” by Dianna Ross in The Wiz.
Here are some photos of Sheléa I was able to take. Her dress was stunning. Wish my cellphone captured the sequin glow from it. If you ever get the opportunity to see her live in concert, please do so. She has a voice like an angel.
Here are some photos taken by the hired professional photographer Gregory L. Moore www.gregory-moore.com. Beautiful shots indeed.
Sheléa’s new PBS special titled “Aretha! With Sheléa and the Pacific Symphony” is currently airing nationwide. She also recently released her brand-new self-penned songs, “I Don’t Care,” “Time Machine,” and “Never Give Up On Love,” available on all streaming platforms, and her Sheléa’s EP, “Spirit,” will be released on August 29.
Sheléa has received the attention and support of music’s most powerful icons: Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Rickey Minor and David Foster. With years of making a name for herself as a vocal powerhouse, she has performed at The White House, the Library of Congress, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Vatican. In the fall of 2022, Sheléa made her debut at the Royal Albert Hall with maestro Jules Buckley to a sold-out show, with a repeat performance in 2024. Merging her musical talent with her love for acting, she landed her first major role as Dorinda Clark in the critically acclaimed “The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel.” The Lifetime biopic drew nearly three million viewers in its opening and “was the strongest original movie for all television for 2020 across key demos, including both broadcast and cable.” For more information about Sheléa, visit here: www.sheleamusic.com.
