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Tuition Payment Tuition and lesson assistance are available to families who demonstrate need. See below for more information. Junior Youth and Honors Orchestra Payment Orchestra In the Schools Payment Tuition and lesson assistance are available to families who demonstrate need. Financial Assistance Information Tuition Assistance Form

Brass Ensemble The 2019-2020 Brass Ensemble. The YMMC Brass Ensemble, directed by Executive Director and Brass Director Suzanne Mudge , offers a great opportunity for its members to experience personal growth and increased confidence. The ensemble plays varied repertoire of many genres spanning four centuries in several configurations of 3-8 players. Playing in small chamber groups develops focus, creativity, and discipline. while building problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills. These characteristics grow a confident child and accomplished performer, and translate to excellent preparation for the challenges of college, career, and life. The YMMC Brass Ensemble actively seeks collaborations and performing opportunities, making connections with our community, and educating and engaging new audiences. We have performed for assisted living communities across the Monterey Peninsula, the Tor House Garden Party, the Carmel Public Library Foundation, and for Carmel Bach Festival off-season events such as Cottages and Gardens and Season previews. Members have also been invited to perform with the Tower Brass during the Bach Festival in July. We host guest artists and clinicians from the brass world, learning from them and increasing the appreciation and joy of being a brass player. All brass students enrolled in YMMC orchestras are eligible – and encouraged – to participate in the Brass Ensemble. There is no additional fee for participation. Learn more about auditioning and becoming a part of the Brass Ensemble today! Audition

Stewart Robinson Conductor Back to Staff

Artistic Staff Igor Poklad Director, Woodwind Chamber Ensembles A native of Odessa (Ukraine), Igor Poklad began his musical studies at the Odessa State Conservatory of Music (Clarinet Performance). Having moved to the United States, he continued his education at the San Francisco State University (BM Magna Cum Laude in Clarinet Performance and MM in Music History). While studying at SFSU, he excelled as a chamber music performer and soloists, winning Fremont Symphony Orchestra’s Solo Competition with his performance of Claude Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsody . Following the completion of his studies, Mr. Poklad joined the US Air Force Band of the Golden West and performed extensively throughout the United States. Additionally, Mr. Poklad has performed with a number of the Bay Area orchestras and ensembles (Napa Valley Symphony, San Francisco Concerto Orchestra, Vallejo Symphony, North Bay Philharmonic). Later, he was stationed in Germany as a member of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Band, where he was in charge of the Clarinet Quartet. While performing with the USAFE Clarinet Quartet, Mr. Poklad toured throughout Europe and the Middle East. Some of the highlights of his performances overseas include appearances at musical festivals and subscription concerts in Belgium, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Latvia, Israel, Serbia and Bulgaria. In addition to performing on clarinet and bass clarinet, Mr. Poklad enjoys playing Renaissance and Baroque music on a variety of recorders. Back to Staff

Repertoire History I'm a title. Click here to edit me. I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More 2020-2021 I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More 2019-2020 I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. More

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. Give the gift of music to our young people Donate Today YMMC is proud to present our new Music Director, Daniel Brier Learn More 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. 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 Upcoming Events Sun, Mar 01 Hidden Depths / Sunset Center 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 Tickets May 10, 2026, 3:00 PM PDT Sunset Center, San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA News Youth Music Monterey County Announces Alumna Blair Miller is a 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 for Music HonoreeCongratulations Blair on your Incredible Success! Apr 8 Congratulations 2024 Graduates! May 23, 2024 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 18, 2020 Our Corporate Sponsors

2020-2021 Season Repertoire Fall Concert Junior Youth Orchestra: Pirates of the Caribbean Haydn Piano Concerto (Bryan Kim, soloist) Honors Orchestra: Star Wars Hoe Down (from Rodeo)

Awards 2019-2020 Season View Awards

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 .

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.

Artistic Staff Suzanne Mudge Brass Ensemble Director Suzanne Mudge has coached the YMMC Brass Ensemble since 2015, and served as Executive Director in 2019-2020 and has been a performer at the CBF for over 30 years. In addition to playing trombone and sackbut in the festival orchestra and directing Tower Music and community outreach concerts, Sue creates and scripts the The Epic Adventures of Leonard and Rasmus, a family series of interactive and educational concerts. Sue has been an in-demand professional musician and highly regarded educator and brings both of those professions to her new role in arts administration. Prior to her move to Carmel, she taught at Central Oregon Community College, directed the band program at The Seven Peaks School in Bend, Oregon, had a private teaching studio, and performed with the Central Oregon Symphony, the Eugene Symphony, and the Bend Brass Quintet. Her trombone and trumpet students placed consistently in the top 5 at the Oregon State Solo and Ensemble Festivals. Prior to her move to Bend, Sue was an active freelance musician and music educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. She performed with the Women’s Philharmonic in San Francisco, and the symphonies in Modesto, Fremont, Marin, Berkeley, and San Jose. She recorded numerous CD’s at Skywalker Ranch Sue was also the Band Director at Lowell HS in San Francisco. Sue was raised in Laguna Beach. She has a B.M from The University of The Pacific Conservatory of Music, a M.M. from the University of Arizona, and a teaching credential from Notre Dame de Namur University. She has a passion for film music, animals, California native trees and plants, the beach, bicycling, math history, cooking, and wine. And she’s still playing the trombone! Back to Staff

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