named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Daniel Thompson Memorial Competition for Young Composers
Annual competition that commissions and premieres new choral works by emerging composers; has commissioned over 55 works since 2005.
Mixed Ensemble
Choral ensemble under the direction of Alex Canovas, performing contemporary and traditional choral repertoire in concerts and recordings.
Treble Ensemble
SSAA/SSA choral ensemble led by Alex Canovas and Emily Crowe Sobotko, focused on treble-voice repertoire and new music.
YNYC Presents 25
Debut album release celebrating the organization's 25th anniversary, featuring recordings from past seasons and works by commissioned composers.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Music Awards and Honors Programs 1 activity
- Administers the Daniel Thompson Memorial Competition for Young ComposersHosts an annual competition that awards $2,500 to a winner and $1,000 each to two runners-up, with up to $500 in travel assistance. The competition, now in its 21st year, has distributed over $40,000 globally to support emerging choral composers and commissions three finalists each year to create new works for performance.
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Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Commissions and premieres new choral works by emerging composersCommissions over 55 new choral works since inception and debuts at least three original compositions annually through its Daniel Thompson Memorial Competition for Young Composers. The organization has given world premieres of over 30 works and performs pieces by living composers, including East Coast and co-premieres at venues like Carnegie Hall.
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Community Choral Rehearsals & Performances 1 activity
- Hosts public choral performances and community singing eventsProduces and performs in a minimum of two annual concerts at St. Mary’s and hosts free, public community singing events. The organization also conducts holiday caroling across Manhattan and participates in flash mob performances at public and private events.
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Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Operates professional choral ensembles for young adult singersMaintains two ensembles—Mixed Ensemble (approx. 75 singers) and Treble Ensemble (approx. 50 singers)—for talented singers in their 20s and 30s in New York City. The ensembles rehearse weekly, perform accompanied repertoire, and participate in recordings, broadcasts, and virtual choir projects.
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Nonprofit Music Recording and Distribution 1 activity
- Participates in recordings, broadcasts, and commercial choral projectsEngages in commercial and media projects including national commercials (e.g., Morningstar Inc.), film promotions (e.g., Lionsgate), television appearances (e.g., WNYC’s Radiolab, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), and serves as a studio choir for GRAMMY-nominated recordings and other commercial sessions.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$198K
Contributions & grants$105K53%
Program service revenue$75K38%
Investment income$260%
Other revenue$3
expenses
Total expenses$143K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$32K
Grants paid out$6K
balance sheet
Total assets$171K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$171K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +104.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Canovas | General & Artistic Director | 35 | $29K |
| Michael Gaertner | Mixed Ensemble Principal Pianist | 8 | $8K |
| Rachel DeVore Fogarty | Treble Ensemble Pianist | 8 | $8K |
| Kimberly Kenny | Administrative Assistant | 5 | $2K |
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- Abbey Hendrix Partner — Board member and executive producer who provided expert guidance on the album release.
- American Choral Directors Association Partner — Performed at ACDA conferences, including the Connecticut Fall Conference and the Eastern Region Conference.
- American Choral Directors Association Partner — Presented performances at ACDA conferences, including the Connecticut ACDA Fall Conference and the ACDA Eastern Region Conference.
- American Choral Directors’ Association Partner — Performed at ACDA conferences in Providence, RI and Connecticut.
- American Choral Directors’ Association Partner — Performed at ACDA conferences, with the Treble Ensemble featured at the Connecticut ACDA Fall Conference and the Mixed Ensemble at the ACDA Eastern Region Conference.
- Choral Chameleon Partner — Collaborative artistic relationship with ensemble members and leadership affiliated with both organizations.
- Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Partner — Performed on the show with a custom arrangement by YNYC’s General & Artistic Director
- Google Partner — Uses Google Workspace apps for organizational operations.
- Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra Partner — Collaborated to co-premiere a new choral work at Carnegie Hall
- Lionsgate Films Partner — Collaborated on a social media activation in Times Square for “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”
- Morningstar Inc. Partner — Recorded and filmed a nationally aired commercial
- New York Choral Consortium Network — Board member Lucy Mayer serves on the board of the New York Choral Consortium, indicating organizational affiliation or partnership.
- Pentatonix Partner — Joint performance at the UBS Arena
- The Church of St. Mary the Virgin Partner — Rehearsal and primary performance venue for both ensembles.
- Thompson family Funder — Provided a $50,000 endowment to rename the competition in honor of Daniel Thompson
- WNYC Partner — Performed on the Radiolab program
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Building through Inclusive Choral Participationmethodology: community_through_musicBy fostering inclusive participation models and using choral music to reflect shared experiences, the organization builds resilient communities, because music-making creates interpersonal connection, strengthens collective identity, and supports healing from societal disruptions like the pandemic.
- Emerging Composer Development through Competition and Commissioningmethodology: composer-development-through-competitionBy commissioning new works and hosting an annual competition with anonymous judging, the organization supports the development of emerging composers and integrates fresh voices into the choral repertoire, because equitable access and structured opportunity foster artistic growth and diversify the musical canon.
- New Music as Core Artistic Identitymethodology: championing_living_composersBy specializing in premiering and performing new works by living and young composers, the organization shapes its artistic identity around innovation and contemporary relevance, because centering new music strengthens connection with younger audiences and advances the choral art form.
- Youth-Resonant and Place-Based Programmingmethodology: place-based_programmingBy curating repertoire and performing in unconventional venues that reflect urban identity and themes relevant to young people, the organization deepens audience engagement, because contextually meaningful and accessible performances increase relevance and connection with younger, city-based communities.