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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

Audition Sign-Up Form Instructions Hello! Please fill out this audition form if you are: New to our orchestras, Looking to move from JYO to Honors Looking to move from 2nd violin to 1st violin in either JYO or Honors Orchestra August auditions have ended. If you’re still interested in auditioning for Junior Youth/Honors Orchestra, please contact the office (office@youthmusicmonterey.org ) to make arrangements. Thanks for your interest! Youth Music Monterey Office 546 B Hartnell St Monterey, CA To schedule an audition, please email: office@youthmusicmonterey.org We have auditions throughout the season, usually between concert sets. Placement in either orchestra will occur when the next concert set begins. See more about Audition Requirements here. Audition Sign-Up Form Request audition date By appointment (our office will contact you) I'm auditioning for: * Required Junior Youth Orchestra Honors Orchestra Chamber Players Submit Thanks for submitting! We'll be in touch. Please upload your video here .

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.

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South County Strings Call (831) 375-1992 for Registration Information Youth Music Monterey's South County Strings program brings free instruction and string instruments to students in grades 3-8 in southern Monterey County. A team of music instructors provides violin, viola, and cello instruction in group lessons during the school day. Students are not charged for the lessons and instruments are provided by YMMC. Music classes begin in September and run throughout the school year through June. The program is designed to introduce new students to music and string instruments and to help intermediate students develop their skills. Students receive a minimum of two hours of instruction per week, give in-school and after-school performances for their peers, and perform at community venues. Students also receive free or subsidized tickets to concerts throughout Monterey County and attend workshops with visiting musicians—such as the YMMC Chamber Players, who visit the schools to perform for and work with young string students. Youth Music Monterey's South County Strings program is a partnership with the Soledad Unified School District and Bradley Union School District to provide students to study cello, viola, and violin in areas where music education and performance opportunities are sparse.

Register for South County Strings First Name / Tu primer nombre Last Name / Tu apellido School / Tu escuela Classroom Teacher Name / El nombre de maestro de aula Grade / El año escolar Do you have Internet access at home? / Tiene acceso a Internet en casa? * Yes / Si No / No Sometimes / A veces Have you ever been enrolled in South County Strings before? / Estuviste matriculado en el programa de South County Strings el año pasado? * Yes / Si No / No Instrument Preference / Instrumento de preferencia * Violin / Violín Viola / Viola Cello / Violoncelo Do you need an instrument? / Necesita un instrumento? * Yes, I need an instrument / Si, necesito un instrumento No, I have my own / No, voy a traer mi propio instrumento Parent First Name / Primer nombre de tu padre Parent Last Name / Apellido de tu padre Phone / Teléfono Email / Email Emergency Contact Name / Nombre del contacto de emergencia Emergency Contact Phone / Numero del contacto de emergencia Address / El domicilio How would you like to recieve communications? / Le gustaría recibir comunicaciones por: * email / email postal mail / apartado postal phone / teléfono Language preference: if we have to contact you by phone, which language is best? / Idioma de preferencia: Si tenemos que contactar a Ud. por teléfono, que idioma es mejor? * English / Ingles Spanish / Español I give my permission for images taken of my child on behalf of Youth Music Monterey County (YMMC) to be used in YMMC promotional materials. / Doy mi permiso para que las imágenes tomadas de mi hijo o hija en nombre de la música de la juventud del Condado de Monterey (YMMC) para ser utilizado en materiales de promoción de YMMC. * Yes No I have reviewed the parent teacher handbook and understand the terms and conditions outlined therein. / He revisado el manual de padres y maestros y comprendo los términos y las condiciones descritos en el mismo. View handbook / Ver manual Parent Signature / Firma del padre o de la madre Clear Submit / Enviar Thank you for submitting! ¡Gracias por enviarnos!

Junior Youth and Honors Orchestra Registration Welcome to Youth Music Monterey! We're excited to play with you! Your registration is only compete when you submit this form and pay your tuition, make payment arrangements or apply for tuition assistance. Student Information Student First Name Student Last Name Student Email Student Phone School Grade (upcoming fall) House Number + Street Address City ZIP Please put me on a carpool list! Student Medical Information Medical conditions/considerations? Emergency Contact Info Emergency Contact Person Emergency Contact Phone Relationship to Student Parent Information Parent #1 First Name Parent #1 Last Name Parent #1 Email Parent #1 Phone Parent #2 First Name Parent #2 Last Name Parent #2 Email Parent #2 Phone Musical Background Instrument Ensemble: * Required Junior Youth Orchestra Honors Orchestra School Music Teacher Private Music Teacher Are you involved in your school music program? Yes No My school does not have a music program. Are you interested in participating in our chamber ensembles? Yes No Demographics Ethnicity * Required American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Black or African-American Caucasian Latinx Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Other Prefer not to say Gender Identity * Female Male Non-binary/non-conforming Queer Transgender Female Transgender Male Prefer not to say Continue

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Orchestra In The Schools OITS Handbook Calendar Pay Tuition Music Tuition Assistance Absence Form REGISTER HERE The 2019-2020 Chamber Players. REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW OPEN JOIN US NEXT SEASON Since 1988 Orchestra in the Schools (OITS) offers music instruction for beginners to intermediate levels, be part of an orchestra and perform with students from other schools. No experience is needed . This can be a student’s first musical experience. No auditions are necessary. Orchestra in the Schools is an affordable, after-school music education program. Available to students in grades 3-8 attending Charter, Public, Private and Home-School Younger students may be accepted with approval from the Artistic Director. Students will learn to play an orchestral instrument, read music, rehearse, and perform with other young people from Monterey County. Each student gets a minimum of 27 two-hour sessions throughout the school year Two concerts are planned, our Winter Concert on December 11, 2025 and our Spring Concert on May 14, 2026. Both concerts take place at All Saints Day School. Small group lessons from highly qualified Instructors teaching: Strings - Violin, Viola and Cello (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or 4/4 sizes) Double Bass - (1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 sizes) Woodwinds - Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone Brass - Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba Percussion - Snare Drum, Drum Pad, Bells, Bass Drum Dates/Times & Locations Classes are from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Mondays at the International School Monterey (ISM) : Beginning Band (Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion), Beginning Strings (Violin, Viola), and Intermediate Strings (Violin, Viola). Tuesdays at Monterey Bay Charter School (MBCS) : Intermediate Band (Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion), Beginning Strings (Violin, Viola), Intermediate Strings (Violin, Viola) Thursdays at All Saints Day School (ASDS) : Beginning Strings (Violin, Viola), Intermediate Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello) Thursdays at the YMM Office (546 Hartnell St., Suite B, Monterey, CA 93940) : Cello only. Google Calendar Click the link for your student's OITS site to add the site-specific calendar to your personal calendar app. OITS ISM Calendar: https://oits.short.gy/OITSatISM OITS MBCS Calendar: https://oits.short.gy/OITSatMBCS OITS ASDS Calendar: https://oits.short.gy/OITSatASDS OITS YMM Office Calendar: https://oits.short.gy/OITSatYMMCOFFICE Cost: The cost is $725.00 for the entire school year of instruction. Instrument loans at no cost for registered students with $50 refundable deposit. Tuition Aid is available for qualified applicants.

Junior Youth & Honors Orchestras Audition Information Register Tuition and Financial Aid The 2019-2020 Honors Orchestra, with conductor Danko Druško. Youth Music Monterey County’s Honors Orchestra & Junior Youth Orchestra provides students an exceptional opportunity to study and perform the masterpieces of symphonic literature with other young musicians from across Monterey County. This experience helps them develop knowledge of classical repertoire, as well as technical and artistic skill. Featuring talented young musicians from over 30 local schools across Monterey County, YMMC orchestras present three acclaimed symphonic concerts at Sunset Center each year. Our program includes weekly rehearsals with our conductor, sectional coachings, and masterclasses with guest artists. In addition, students enrolled in our orchestras may choose to participate in one or more of our three chamber ensembles at no additional cost. These include the Chamber Players , the Brass Ensemble , and the Woodwind Ensemble . Junior Youth Orchestra The Junior Youth Orchestra (Young Intermediate Level Repertoire) includes students age 7 and up and rehearses on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:00 pm at Hidden Valley Music Seminars. A yearly Concerto Competition is also open to all students. Honors Orchestra Our Honors Orchestra (Young Advanced Level Repertoire) plays full symphonic scores and is open to students up to the age of 20. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Hidden Valley Music Seminars. Students may compete in the yearly Honors Orchestra Concerto Competition in order to perform their piece in the next concert season. Auditions It's never too late to join YMMC! Our orchestras are a great opportunity for young musicians to receive the high-caliber training they need for success in school music, college, and their future careers. Visit our Auditions page to learn more about applying! Tuition and Financial Aid Youth Music Monterey strives to keep our programs accessible to all students in our community. Scholarships are available for those who apply and qualify. Please visit our Tuition and Financial Assistance page to learn more about our financial aid programs.

Taking Notes... Terribly sorry, this page is still under construction. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the office at (831) 375-1992 or at office@youthmusicmonterey.org. In the meantime, feel free to explore the rest of the site! Back to Ways to Give