Kahlil Childs Selected for Carnegie Hall's NYO Jazz 2026 & Three Young Lions Named to Alternate List 🎷 🎉

Young Lions Jazz Conservatory is proud to celebrate one of our own: Kahlil Childs has been selected as a member of the 2026 Carnegie Hall National Youth Orchestra Jazz ensemble — NYO Jazz — one of the most competitive youth music programs in the country. As a member of NYO Jazz, Kahlil will perform at Carnegie Hall this summer under the direction of acclaimed bandleader Kris Johnson, alongside legendary vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater as guest artist. Following the New York concert, the orchestra will embark on an international tour across Asia — an extraordinary opportunity for any young musician.

Kahlil's journey is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a young musician shows up, stays curious, and keeps working. We love seeing our students grow, and YLJC is always here to support that process — with great teachers, a welcoming community, and plenty of opportunities to develop and shine.

We also want to recognize three other Young Lions who earned a place on the NYO Jazz Alternate List — a remarkable achievement in its own right:

• Jordan Yaeger (tenor saxophone)

• Collier Keitany (bass)

• Miles Dixon (trombone)

The fact that four YLJC students were recognized in this national selection process speaks volumes about the caliber of musicians coming out of this program.

Congratulations, Kahlil. We are cheering for you all the way to Carnegie Hall and beyond.