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1. How did you become interested in the violin and music? When did you know you wanted to make it a career? When my brother was born, my parents made a big deal about my being a big sister. I had seen Itzhak Perlman on Sesame Street, and said, 'now that I'm two and a half, don't you think I should have a violin?' They bought me a plastic Mickey Mouse guitar for my third birthday, and I was so mad! It was NOT a violin! I kept asking and they signed me up for Suzuki violin lessons when I turned four. I just always loved it. I have a school assignment from kindergarten where I drew a picture of myself playing violin and wrote that I would be a violinist when I grew up. 2. How has music shaped your life? Do you look back at YMM as a (strong) influence? Music has shaped my life because no matter what I do, I feel bad for not practicing enough and wish I was better at __fill-in-the-blank-violin-technique__! I am innately drawn to problem-solving and obsessive research, and playing music definitely taps into that. In practice and in performance, there is a sense of making constant tiny adjustments based on what is happening with you and your own instrument, what is happening with the players around you, and what is happening in the piece of music you are playing. It feels a little like driving in 3D! I had such a good time in YMM because the friends I made there shared my experience of the joys and challenges of music. But beyond the social aspect, playing in orchestra was so inspiring! I remember playing Tchaikovky's Fifth Symphony in the YMM Honors Orchestra for a side-by-side concert with the Monterey Symphony. Our music director, Vince Gomez, was so passionate about music and demanded that we put our heart into it. Playing the beautiful, soaring second movement of that symphony brought this unforgettable exhilaration. It was so glorious, and an affirmation of my desire to be a violinist for life! I was thrilled when a couple of years ago when Mr. Gomez found my number through the Musician's Union and called to ask if I would play along with a senior citizen's orchestra he was conducting. After more than 25 years, I performed again under the baton of Maestro Gomez, and it was a blast! 3. What are you up to these days? Some of your orchestras are performing during the pandemic. How different is it? I saw a great quote from a musician during the pandemic saying something like, we aren't paid to play music, we are paid to be ABLE to play music! So, we musicians are trying our best to keep practicing. At first, the only "gigs" were recording cell phone videos with a "click" to be synced up in those Zoom video orchestras. It was great to do something, but so unsatisfying to have a click as an ensemble partner, instead of other musicians! Now, I am fortunate to have played several socially distant orchestral concerts. I don't know why, but playing with a mask on is a little disorienting and does seem to make it harder to hear. By far the biggest challenge however is being so physically spread out. In the strings, we aim to play in perfect unison with our sections. The added distance between players makes it harder to hear all around the section, and robs us of the physical awareness of adjacent colleagues we are so reliant on. I had one performance recently which was livestreamed instead of pre-recorded. Even though the audience was at home on their computers, there was a real sense that it was a CONCERT, and that there was no stopping, or fixing anything before the recording was released... the energy in the room was palpable, and so was that feeling of all of us musicians relying on one another to make special moments happen. I didn't realize how different it would feel from a recorded concert, but it was really exciting and beautiful!! From a logistical standpoint, there is no more carpooling or having lunch with friends in between rehearsals, and there is a baseline anxiety of 'was I safe enough?' every time we go to work now. It's more tiring and less fun for sure. I still love going to work but can't wait for a time when the priority can be music-making. 4. Any advice or words of wisdom to our current and future YMM members? Can be for high school, college, career choices, etc. Thank you! Music is awesome because it is physical, mental, interpersonal and spiritual all at once and happens in the moment. Studying music is great practice for many things in life. My advice would be, find a good balance between practicing technique, practicing your music, studying your music and listening to as much music as possible. There are so many great performances and lessons available online now - take advantage of them! No matter what your goals are in playing music, the more you put into it, the more you will receive!

Claps: The click tracks have one last, super important change: there's going to be a sync clap two measures before the piece begins & two measures after the piece ends. Like a clapboard 🎬 on a movie set, this clap helps the video editors sync the completed audio tracks with your videos, so your movements match the sound you're making. Clap specifics: 1. Clap just once 2. Loud! 3. On screen (we should see the impact!) If you happen to play an instrument where it’s quite impossible to take both hands and clap in the time you’re given, find another way to approximate a single, loud, percussive sound. I’ve seen people slap their instruments/legs/cheeks/stands before. Before the piece, you'll hear 4 total prep measures: 1. 2 measures of a metronome giving you the tempo 2. 👏 CLAP 👏 on the first beat of the third measure 3. The rest of the third measure and the fourth measure also give you tempo 4. The piece will start on the fifth measure. After the piece, you'll hear 3 total prep measures: 1. 2 measures of a metronome at tempo (so you can get ready for the clap) 2. 👏 CLAP 👏 on the first beat of the third measure Questions? Feel free to email me about it, I'll be happy to walk you through all the steps. *JYO, you’ve been using SmartMusic for the Tchaikovsky, but it doesn't have the clap programmed; please use the new click track in Dropbox to play it instead. Hidden Valley Concert Recording Information Yeah, it’s about that time! We’ve opened up a good amount of recording windows this set; please sign up ASAP so the office can contact you with a schedule. The times are: Wednesday, February 24th from 3-5:15 PM Monday, March 1st from 3-9 PM Tuesday, March 2nd from 3-9 PM Wednesday, March 3rd from 3-9 PM You’ll be asked to indicate which hour blocks you’re free within these times. The office will contact you to assign a 40-minute recording window that works with you. A couple things to remember: 1. Please be prepared as if you're playing a concert! 2. Bring a device and headphones in order to play with the click tracks. 3. No dress code. Home Concert Recording Information If you’re going to be recording at home, please make sure you're thinking about these guidelines: 1. Record in horizontal orientation 2. Highest audio quality possible 3. Remember the clap! 4. No dress code. Links to the Dropbox file requests are above in 'Resources’ or on the website. If you're recording at home, please make sure to get the recordings in by Friday, March 5th at the very latest.

Grammy-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta has conducted over 100 orchestras in North America and many of the most prominent orchestras in Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. She is the music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic, Principal Guest Conductor of the Brevard Music Center, and the Artistic Adviser for the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. She has held music director posts with the Virginia Symphony, the Long Beach Symphony, Denver Chamber Orchestra, and The Women’s Philharmonic (San Francisco), and was Principal Conductor of the Ulster (Ireland) Orchestra. JoAnn has introduced over 500 American works, including 100 world premieres. Hailed for having “Toscannini’s tight control over ensemble, Walter’s affectionate balancing of inner voices, Stowkowski’s gutsy showmanship, and a controlled frenzy worthy of Bernstein,” she is a leading force for the music of our time. She received her M.A. and D.M.A from The Juilliard School.

Mariam Adam was born in Monterey, California to an Egyptian father and a Mexican mother. She lives between New York and Paris, a composite of influences that has shaped her musicianship and collaborations worldwide. She was a member of the YMMC JYO and Honors orchestras during her middle and high school years. She has performed with Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Paquito D’Rivera, and Yo-Yo Ma, and in such venues and series as Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Hall, and the Kennedy Center. She is a founding and former member of the Grammy-nominated woodwind quintet, Imani Winds, a pillar in the classical music community, unparalleled in developing the wind quintet to a new level through virtuosity, style, repertoire and engaging programs. Their albums and legacy have won numerous awards and continue to influence wind chamber music through their commissions and original compositions. As an educator she has been invited to give master classes throughout the United States, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, London, Costa Rica, Brazil, Colombia, France, China, Singapore and Germany at the top conservatories.  She has been Ensemble-In-Residence at the Mannes School of Music in New York and several schools of music throughout the states with the Imani Winds.

Videos from our violin workshops from the first rehearsal!

In anticipation of our 2020-21 season, our Board and Staff are currently exploring and designing programs that do not jeopardize the well-being of our students, staff or audience. Our programs will provide the orchestral and chamber ensembles experiences for which YMMC is renowned – developing excellent musicianship, teamwork, and collaboration; performing great music; fun and meaningful orchestral and chamber ensembles experiences; and encouraging each individual to discover themselves and their passions through music. There are several scenarios/models in the planning stages that will be adapted according to public health requirements as they evolve over the next several months. We are designing several additional online programs for interested students including a Music Listening Club, Master Classes, Music Composition, and Improvisation. We wish continued good health for you and your families and look forward to seeing you in September. Our first rehearsal is Wednesday, September 2nd. Further information and rehearsal guidelines/protocol will be forthcoming as we get closer to starting rehearsals. Have a great summer! Warmest regards, Sue

In the spirit of honoring those fallen, whose lives were taken away too soon because of their color, creed, or ethnicity, YMMC joins with the arts and artists from around the world to be the force for change and to continue to promote equity, inclusion, and diversity in our community. Leonard Bernstein wrote the following paragraph after JFK’s assassination. It remains a powerful message for everyone and we are proud to share it. We musicians, like everyone else, are numb with sorrow at this murder, and with rage at the senselessness of the crime. But this sorrow and rage will not inflame us to seek retribution; rather, they will inflame our art. Our music will never again be quite the same. This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before. Leonard Bernstein

The 2019-2020 JYO Orchestra Concerto Competition was Saturday, February 15, from 2-6 pm at Hidden Valley Music Seminars. The deadline for submission was Monday, February 10th, at 5 PM. The rules and application form can be found here; good luck! We're proud to announce the winner of this year's JYO Concerto Competition was Bryan Kim, piano!

Youth Music Monterey County extends its best wishes to you, continuing to be of service to you and the greater community we serve. We are also requesting your assistance. As we have done for over 50 years, we strive to build the next generation of musicians and music lovers through music. While COVID-19 may have suspended in-person rehearsals and concerts for 300 students in our Junior Youth and Honors Orchestras, Chamber Ensembles, and South County Strings, the need to educate our children continues and endures. We're working hard to keep up with music programs, day-to-day operations, and bringing the joy of music to our students and to you through video links and DVD’s of past performances. #GivingTuesdayNow Join us for #GivingTuesdayNow, tomorrow, May 5th, and help us reach our goal of $50,000. All of us are adapting and learning new ways we can help one another during this unusual time. Together, we'll create a robust and vibrant environment where children may continue to learn, rehearse, and perform music in interactive online settings and eventually, when safe to do so, return to our normal rehearsal and performance venues. The need to educate our children continues and we will emerge stronger than ever! There are several ways to donate: online, at youthmusicmonterey.org/donate by check (546 Hartnell St. Suite B, Monterey, CA 93940) or by credit card (call the office, 831-375-1992) Check out our website below to explore more ways to give! YMMC Video Trailer Check out the latest trailer for YMMC, featuring footage from this season's concerts and from our musicians! Concert Video by New Dawn Studios / William & Patricia Roden. Appreciation and Awards One of the finest year-end traditions at YMM is to recognize the incredible work and effort of our graduating seniors, volunteers, teachers, and alumni. There are so many people who volunteer, working quietly behind the scenes to keep YMMC moving forward and assisting our students in so many ways. Please visit our awards page to help us celebrate these individuals!

Dear YMMC Families and Friends – We hope all of you are in good health and living life in the best possible way under the present circumstances. If any of you need assistance with finding resources or answers to questions, please let us know. We may be in the business of youth orchestra education and performance, but all of us are adapting and learning new ways we can help one another through this difficult time, from shopping safely for elderly family members, teaching via online platforms, or picking up the telephone and checking in with our community. Danko has been collecting video recordings from our young musicians and has assembled promotional trailers/videos for future use. He says, “It fills me with sadness that we cannot make music together in person under the current circumstances. I miss everyone and hope that we will be reunited soon. I am working on a promotional trailer for YMM and have received many wonderful short clips so far - thank you! My biggest hope is that you stay safe and healthy because no matter what else we struggle with, life itself is truly precious and our biggest gift. All my best, Danko.” You can find a 10-minute video of our students above or at this link! As we continue working on contributing to the recovery, health, and collaborative spirit of our community through various projects, we would like to share what a few of our young musicians have been doing during this time. Encouraged by the Stevenson School’s statement, “to demonstrate energy, optimism, and commitment to serve in the face of Covid-19,” our YMM families took this to heart. With other Stevenson Chinese students and families, Brad and Emily Bauer and their children - Lance (violin), Helen (viola), and Katrina (cello) with YMM Honors orchestra - helped distribute over 100,000 face/surgical/N95/KN95 masks to CHOMP, Monterey Health Department, Seaside Family Health Center, Seaside PD, Salinas residents, Meals on Wheels, churches, essential providers, and the general public across the Monterey Peninsula over 3 weeks in April. Bennett Bishop, euphonium, left; James Nielsen, right. Bennett Bishop, trombone and euphonium in the Honors orchestra, started a volunteer grocery delivery service with another Stevenson student. They named their business the Wenliang Initiative, after the doctor in Wuhan who died of Covid-19. Their mission is “to help the community by volunteering our time to shop for and deliver groceries to those most susceptible to Covid-19, at no extra cost.” Check it out!    https://www.wenlianginitiative.com/ We love stories like this. We are so proud of our YMM students and thank them for their community service. Giving back brings happiness to so many. We are stronger together! With warmest wishes, The Staff and Board of Youth Music Monterey County