We are delighted to announce that Candis Badgley Carlson has accepted the position of Executive Director of Youth Music Monterey County. As you all know, Candis has worked tirelessly for the past two years as our Programs Director. She has helped our organization navigate multiple transitions and has developed a wonderful rapport with our YMMC families, our board members, our community supporters, and our Music Director, Alan Truong. Candis brings to the position the unique ability to manage both the daily administrative demands of our organization and the larger vision and executive planning of our board. For a detailed overview of Candis’s background and accomplishments, please visit her bio on our website. We are confident that Candis’ oversight of our two orchestras, our chamber music programs, South County Strings and Orchestra in the Schools will provide a new level of continuity and clarity as we continue to help our students achieve their greatest potential. Thank you for your input and support. We are very excited to launch our ‘26-‘27 season under such talented leadership, and with such a dedicated and inspiring teaching staff. YMMC Board of Directors

We're excited to share a great opportunity to attend the Carmel Bach Festival's Family Concert this Saturday, July 18th from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. The concert features fun for the whole family, with the return of CBF's beloved characters Leonard (a young boy) and Rasmus (his toy horse) as they embark on an epic adventure that is for the birds and all about birds! This performance brings extraordinary, multisensory experiences that combine music, theater, and visual art with sound effects – some of them created by you, the audience – in an immersive and interactive experience. Bring your best bird call or bird song. You’ll have so much fun, you might even grow feathers! Music by Vivaldi, Haydn, Respighi, Saint-Saens, Mussorgsky, Kats-Chernin, Britten, and yes, Byrd. We close with the jazz standard, Birdland, and invite the audience to sing along. The post-concert fair features DD, the red-tailed hawk, brought to us by the SPCA. While this concert is free, the Carmel Bach Festival requests families to reserve tickets: Family Concert: Birds of a Feather! | Carmel Bach Festival Join us on the Terrace after the concert for a post-concert faire with twelve different organizations and community partners in the arts and sciences, including YMMC's own instrument "petting zoo." We hope to see you there!

Youth Music Monterey is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of YMM alum Ealaph Tabbaa, who has been selected as one of this year's composers for the Emerging Composers Intensive at Hidden Valley Music Seminars. As part of the intensive, Ealaph composed a new work for string trio that will receive its premiere performance on Saturday, July 4th at 7:00 p.m. at Hidden Valley Music Seminars in Carmel Valley. Since graduating from Youth Music Monterey, Ealaph has continued to pursue his passion for composition. He recently completed his first year of a master's degree in composition at the Manhattan School of Music, where he has been writing and performing new music both within the school community and in professional settings. About his new work, Ealaph shared: "The piece I wrote for ECI is a string trio where I take influence from my heritage, using Arab folk music influence, and combine it with my love of contemporary concert music. It's a driving and energetic work with a very athletic viola part!" We're incredibly proud to see Ealaph's artistry continue to flourish and are excited that audiences will have the opportunity to experience his newest composition. His selection for the Emerging Composers Intensive is a testament to his creativity, dedication, and musical voice. Congratulations, Ealaph! Your Youth Music Monterey family is cheering you on, and we look forward to following your continued success. Emerging Composers Intensive Concert I Saturday, July 4th, 7:00 PM Hidden Valley Music Seminars 104 W Carmel Valley Rd Carmel Valley All ECI concerts are free and open to the public. We hope you'll come out and support one of our outstanding alumni as he shares his newest work with the community!

Absence Form Program * Required Junior Youth Orchestra Honors Orchestra Orchestra in the Schools Thank you! Submit

Youth Music Monterey County supports two orchestras, a chamber music program, a brass ensemble, a woodwind ensemble, and in-school teaching and performance opportunities. Our Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras are led by conductor Maestro Danko Druško and feature approximately 100 student musicians. Come Play With Us! Orchestra in the Schools Registration Closes 9/15 Youth Music Monterey County Building the next generation through music Established in 1988, it has been Youth Music Monterey County's mission for over thirty years to inspire excellence in individual students and enrich our community by providing young people with opportunities to participate in, and gain greater understanding of, music and its performance. Play With Us! Featuring talented young musicians from over 30 local schools, YMMC's Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras present three acclaimed symphonic concerts at Sunset Center each year. Auditions for the Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras take place throughout the season. If you’re interested in auditioning please contact office@youthmusicmonterey.org or fill out an audition form . Orchestra In The Schools offers Monterey County children in grades 3-8 in Monterey County an opportunity to learn an instrument, be part of an orchestra and perform with students from other schools. This can be your child’s first musical experience, no experience is necessary. Three chamber music programs, including the Chamber Players , Brass Ensemble , and Woodwind Ensemble , focus on the intensive study of small-group music and give back to their communities through benefit concerts. Our South County Strings program with over 200 students each year in rural South Monterey County communities with free group string instruction and low-cost instrument rentals. About Us Upcoming Events From the Edge of Reality Sun, Nov 01 Sunset Center Join us as our Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras take you on a journey to the far end of human imagination. Buy Tickets Dreams and Drama Sun, Feb 28 Sunset Center Our Junior Youth & Honors Orchestra students guide you through an adventure from the crossroads of music and dramatic theater. Buy Tickets A Home Away from Home Sun, May 09 Sunset Center Join us on this special final concert of the 2026-2027 season as our Junior Youth and Honors Orchestra students guide you on a journey of familiarity and belonging, where regional traditions meet the orchestra. Buy Tickets News Welcome Our New Executive Director, Candis Badgley Carlson Jul 27 Join us at Carmel Bach Festival's Family Concert: Saturday, July 18th at 11:00 am Jul 17 YMM Alumni Spotlight: Ealaph Tabbaa Selected for Hidden Valley Music Seminars' Emerging Composers Intensive Jul 2

Administrative Staff Executive Director Candis Badgley Carlson Administrative Coordinator Indi McCarthy Artistic Staff Music Director Alan Truong South County Strings Director Miriam Oddie Brass Ensemble Director Suzanne Mudge Chamber Players Aleksey Klyushnik Director, Woodwind Chamber Ensembles Igor Poklad