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YMMC Volunteers Make it Happen! A big thank you to our Youth Music Monterey County volunteers who make our program possible for our music students at all levels. Honors and Junior Youth Orchestra students, Chamber Ensembles for Brass, Strings, & Wind instruments, Orchestra in the School beginner programs, our South County Strings in elementary school music program in Soledad, and even our little YMMC office all get ongoing attention and help from our YMMC parents and friends who volunteer in so many ways; filing, shredding, painting, running a concert, and  feeding our student musicians. The retreat this past weekend is just one example of the volunteers making the event a success. The upcoming first concert on November 16th and the kick-off of the McGives campaign for donations will be an opportunity for others to join our volunteer community with some of those skills mentioned on the registration forms. The YMMC Board and staff are always grateful for your time, energy, and commitment to your student, our program, and music. Please accept our thanks and admiration for all you do. And a heartfelt thank you to Hidden Valley Music Seminars for the ongoing support of Executive Director, Peter Meckel, and the admirable staff who make so many activities possible for YMMC and our students at unique and beautiful facilities. Thanks for everything!

BBQ guests get ready for the dove release Sunday 09/09/25 at HVMS! Our 2025-2026 season was off to a fun start at the Welcome Back BBQ when we all got together for a day in the sun with good food, great friends, a potluck, and some fun. The Yanez family brought doves from Monterey Bay White Dove Release, and there was an exciting photo op moment as everyone watched these beautiful birds take flight. The day out at the Hidden Valley Music Seminars was perfect-warm and sunny with a slight breeze. The best part was just hanging out saying hello to friends and taking a moment to see how well the students have progressed on their music, welcome in a new year of exciting repertoire, and relax. Heartfelt thanks to everyone at Hidden Valley Music Seminars, but especially Peter Meckel for making it all possible with the use of these lovely grounds. Everyone helped out so much that a shout out is essential: Thank you to our grill crew and Kyle Strom who saved the day. Kudos to the set up and decor group who arrive early to make sure everything is perfect before the first guest appears. A lot of gratitude to all the folks who brought the most important items-the food! There was such a variety of everything that no one left hungry except our most fussy littlest guest. And an enormous thank you to those who finde that extra energy and stay for clean up. That was done so fast and was so thorough. Very grateful for such an amazing group of staff, friends, and students. Our Programs Director, Candis Badgley Carlson, and Music Director, Alan Truong, at the Welcome Back BBQ. Warmly, Amelia

YMMC benefits from Jazz & Desserts at Carmel Presbyterian Church.  A big thank you to Abby Warburg at Carmel Presbyterian Church for organizing such a wonderful Jazz & Desserts event last Friday night. Youth Music Monterey County was the beneficiary of the donations that evening and that arrangement is thanks to the spiritual leadership at the church and headliner, Tony Bolivar, and the musicians in the band. The evening was a delightful mix of original works and covered pieces with lively improvisation. Thank you to Tony Bolivar (his supportive family) and the other wonderful musicians, Bobby on keys, Bill on guitar, Mark on base, and Max on percussion. Tony collaborates so beautifully with musicians and trombonist, Felix Diaz Contreras, a past Youth Music Monterey County alum, who is very active in the music performance and teaching scene in the county had some great improv moments on stage. YMMC couldn't have had better spokespersons that night than Abby, Tony, and Felix. The audience that evening was very supportive with attentive listening, warm applause, and a sizable donation that evening that benefitted YMMC instrument repair and replacement and online donations. Thanks, from YMMC for a great night of music benefiting our students.

Private Lessons YMMC has found private lessons to be an essential tool for our students to thrive and contribute to our orchestras. From violin to trumpet, browse our list of teachers below! We may have additional funding available to subsidize the costs of private lessons. Lesson Assistance Strings Pam Armstrong Cello Salinas (831) 917-4445 prgarmstrong@gmail.com Debbie Cirimele Cello Student’s Location (831) 624-2039 ccirimele@comcast.net Amalia Diaz Violin, Viola Pacific Grove (303) 591-8949 violinamalia@yahoo.com Wendy Geiger Violin, Cello (831) 659-2928 Janneke Hoogland Cello Carmel (831) 202-2362 jannekecello@yahoo.com Miriam Oddie Violin, Viola My home or via Zoom (303) 328-8505 Miriam.oddie@gmail.com Jill Wyckoff Violin Seaside (831) 884-6643 roonapotamus@yahoo.com Michael Blackburn Viola (831) 925-5025 m.blackburn@mbcharterschool.org Margie Dally Cello Carmel Valley (831) 917-1974 dally@sbcglobal.net Rose Marie Dunsford Violin, Viola Pacific Grove (831) 375-7290 rmdunsford@sbcglobal.net Cathy Goode Violin Carmel (617) 817-5711 cathygoode@rcn.com Stephanie Janowsky Harp Santa Cruz (408) 366-8810 Judy Roberts Cello Soquel (831) 462-5420 judyrobertscello@gmail.com Bryan Brash Viola Seaside (207) 615-6114 violamensch@gmail.com Daphne Denny Violin King City, Bradley (805) 835-9168 Michelle Galindo Bass, Piano Pebble Beach (831) 238-7217 GalindoMusic@aol.com Rafael Vazquez Guevara Violin Monterey (831) 324-2703 rafaelviolin7@gmail.com Aleksey Klyushnik Cello, Bass Monterey (916) 223-6989 akpycb@gmail.com Nick Williams Double Bass Monterey (831) 594-5404 nwmusic70@yahoo.com Woodwinds Debbie Busch Oboe East Garrison (650) 269-0652 debbusch21@sbcglobal.net Erica Horn Clarinet Laureles Grade (619) 665-1209 ericahornphoto@aol.com Stu Reynolds Saxophone, Clarinet Seaside, Santa Cruz (831) 899-7901 trading4s@att.net Isabella Grimes Flute Monterey, Seaside grimesisabella@gmail.com Erin Irvine Bassoon Santa Cruz, Pacific Grove (323) 422-1325 erin-irvine@hotmail.com Nick Williams All Woodwinds Monterey (831) 594-5404 nwmusic70@yahoo.com Ben Herod Saxophone, Clarinet Carmel, Monterey (831) 383-2550 bherodster@gmail.com Peter Lemberg Oboe, English Horn Monterey (408) 691-0114 plemberg59@gmail.com Brass Scott Hartman French Horn, All Brass San Jose (408) 781-0019 scottito@icloud.com Suzanne Mudge Trombone, Trumpet Carmel, Student’s Location, Online (831) 293-3525 trombonesue@yahoo.com Kevin Jordan Trumpet Carmel (831) 624-1695 coastbrass@gmail.com Gary Stotz Flute, Trumpet, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trombone Pacific Grove (831) 375-9718 stotzmusic@gmail.com Ruth Jordan French Horn Carmel (831) 238-3542 coastbrass@gmail.com Percussion/Piano Emma Bartlett Percussion, Piano Pacific Grove, Online (917) 676-0367 emmalbartlett@gmail.com Wendi Kirby Piano Monterey info@wendikirbymusic.com Frank Wyant Percussion/Timpani, Drums San Jose, Salinas, Carmel (408) 202-2790 fwyant@mpusd.k12.ca.us Eun Ha Chung Piano Carmel, East Garrison (845) 238-4971 Barbara Ruzicka Piano Carmel (831) 624-4905 Lucy Faridany Piano Carmel Valley (831) 659-3069 Mike Shannon Percussion Monterey (831) 214-7102 mshannondrums@gmail.com If you have questions or concerns, or would like to be listed above, please contact the office .

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. YMMC gears up for an exciting 2025-2026 season Youth Music Monterey County's Orchestra in the Schools program (OITS) is currently in session and no longer acceptig applicants as of 09/15/2025. Honors & Junior Youth Orchestras students should be registered, have made tuition arrangements, received their music links via mail or Dropbox, and looking forward to their first concert of the 2025-2026 season on November 16, 2025. Please make sure you have your music for rehearsals. Due to construction at the intersection of Carmel Valley Road and Laurales Grade, please give yourselves some extra time to drive safely. South County Strings registration through the Soledad Unified School District is complete and winter concerts will be announced closer to the performance dates. Please contact SUSD or Ms. Oddie for more details. Events The 2025-2026 Season is in full swing. JYO/HO rehearsals are Wednesdays for JYO at 4:30-6pm and HO at 6:30-8:30pm. Honors Concerto Competition is Saturday, October 18th at 1:00pm and opent to the public. Sunday, November 16th , Concert #1 is at 3pm. Please note that some emails erroneously stated the 6th. OITS classes are 4pm-6pm at the following various locations: Monday International Schol of Monterey (ISM) Seaside Tuesday Monterey Bay Charter School (MBCS) Pacific Grove Thursday All Saints Day School (ASDS) Carmel Valley and YMMC Music Cottage Monterey (cello only) Sun, Nov 16 A Country Spirit / Sunset Center Buy Tickets Nov 16, 2025, 3:00 PM PST Sunset Center, San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA Sun, Mar 01 Hidden Deptsh / Sunset Center Buy Tickets Mar 01, 2026, 3:00 PM PST Sunset Center, San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA Sun, May 10 Songs My Mother Taught Me / Sunset Center Buy Tickets May 10, 2026, 3:00 PM PDT Sunset Center, San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA Upcoming Events A Country Spirit Sun, Nov 16 Sunset Center More info Buy Tickets Hidden Deptsh Sun, Mar 01 Sunset Center More info Buy Tickets Songs My Mother Taught Me Sun, May 10 Sunset Center More info Buy Tickets 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 . 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. 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. About Us News YMMC Volunteers Oct 6 BBQ Fun Sep 9 Jazz & Desserts a Success! Sep 3 Fresh Perspectives YMMC's Master Class and Interview Series Catalyst String Quartet Jan 23, 2021 Peter Scaturro - Video Game Music Jan 12, 2021 Interview with JoAnn Falletta Sep 19, 2020

Virtual Concert Junior Youth Orchestra Pirates of the Caribbean -- Klaus Badelt arr. Larry Moore Concerto in D Major for Piano and Orchestra, Allegro -- Joseph Haydn Bryan Kim, piano Honors Orchestra Hoe Down, from "Rodeo" -- Aaron Copland The Star Wars Epic -- John Williams arr. Robert W. Smith Support Youth Music Monterey's mission to inspire and build the next generation through music! Keep the music playing in the minds and hearts of our young people. You can make a difference in their lives and in their future.