Search Results

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. Join us for “A Night at the Opera” on Sunday May 11 at 3pm! Upcoming Events Sun, May 11 Concert #3 “A Night at the Opera” / Sunset Center Buy Tickets May 11, 2025, 3:00 PM PDT Sunset Center, San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA 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 Youth Music Monterey County Announces Alumna Blair Miller is a 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 for Music HonoreeCongratulations Blair on your Incredible Success! Apr 9 YMMC welcomes its new Executive Director, Dr. Daniel Fung Jul 1, 2024 Congratulations 2024 Graduates! May 24, 2024 Fresh Perspectives YMMC's Master Class and Interview Series Catalyst String Quartet Jan 24, 2021 Peter Scaturro - Video Game Music Jan 12, 2021 Interview with JoAnn Falletta Sep 19, 2020

Sponsors and Partners Youth Music Monterey County’s programs are funded by the following foundations, institutions, businesses, sponsors and community partners, as well as hundreds of individual donors. We are incredibly thankful for their investment in our community and helping to build the next generation through music.

Chamber Players The 2019-2020 Chamber Players. The Chamber Players program was designed to enhance the orchestras' program and seeks to provide a professional level of training and performance for students. The Chamber Players' experience includes mentorship through multiple annual master classes with world-class artists. Past artists have included the Juilliard String Quartet and Van Cliburn Gold Medalist and international piano soloist Jon Nakamatsu. Through multiple annual performances throughout the season, in retirement communities, schools, South County Strings programs, and in an annual concert benefiting all YMMC programs, the Chamber Players act as ambassadors for youth and music in our community. Members are selected by audition. The program is open to any instrumentalist within our orchestra program, including pianists; as with all the YMMC small ensembles, there is no additional tuition to participate. Please visit our Auditions page to learn more about joining this program! Auditions

Junior and Honors Orchestra Info Welcome, orchestra students! Use the quick links below or browse further down for access to season forms, calendars, repertoire lists, and more. Audition Pay Tuition Register Calendar 2024-2025 Season Details Rehearsals & Concert Dates YMMC rehearsals take place on Wednesdays. The Junior Youth Orchestra meets from 4:30 - 6 PM, and the Honors Orchestra meets from 6:30-8:30 PM. Rehearsals are at Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 104 W. Carmel Valley Rd., in Carmel Valley. Rehearsals will start on August 21st, 2024 and run every Wednesday. See the full JYO/HO Season Calendar here. Our concerts take place at Sunset Center in Carmel. They're on Sundays starting at 3 pm with dress rehearsal call times starting around 12 noon. More specific information will be sent out prior to each concert date. This year, the dates are: Concert #1 Sunday October 27, 2024 Concert #2 Sunday March 2, 2025 Concert #3 Sunday May 11, 2025 2024-25 Concerto Competitions Every concert season, members of the Honors and Junior Youth orchestras may choose to prepare a solo concerto to be performed with the orchestra he/she is in. Students perform their solo work before a panel of judges. The winner usually plays their concerto in the next concert (#2 for Honors, #3 for JYO). If you're interested in taking part in a concerto competition, we encourage you or your private music teacher to contact our music director first to verify that the concerto is suitable to play in our ensembles before you begin preparing it. Forms and extra information about requirements are available on the website prior to the competition date, but please feel free to reach out to us with any questions now. Honors Concerto Competition Auditions: Sunday October 20th, 2024 1-4 P.M. Application due by 5:00 p.m. September 30, 2024 Junior Youth Concerto Competition Auditions: Saturday, February 15, 2025 1-4 P.M. Application due by 5:00 p.m. January 20, 2025 Concerto Competition Auditions take place at Hidden Valley Music Seminars Retreats Retreat dates are in process, we’ll post and announce them when they’re confirmed. During the rehearsal cycles for each concert, YMM orchestras each year take part in 2-weekend retreats at Hidden Valley Music Seminars or another location. It's an opportunity to bond with their fellow musicians, take part in rehearsal and sectional intensives, and learn from fascinating guest musicians who come and present their work. Retreat # 1 Saturday January 11, 2025 (JYO) Sunday January 12, 2025 (HO) location/times TBD FAQ's Where can I request tuition and lesson assistance? You can request financial assistance when you register or go here to see our tuition assistance or lesson assistance forms. When are auditions? Live, in-person auditions are generally held each May and August. Exact dates and locations are posted here on the Audition page. Auditions at other times are allowed at the discretion of YMMC's Music Director. Please inquire by email to: office@youthmusicmonterey.org . Other q ue stions? Send an email to office@youthmusicmonterey.org . Tuition Pay Tuition Tuition and Financial Aid Tuition Assistance Private Lesson Assistance Instrument Rental Forms Audition (For new students and current students changing ensembles) Audition Requirements Registration (Required yearly) Absence Form Program Information Student and Parent Handbook 2024-25 Private Teacher List Honors Concerto Competition Audition will be held: Sunday October 20, 2024 1-4 p.m. Hidden Valley Junior Youth Concerto Competition Audition will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025 1-4 p.m. Hidden Valley JYO Concerto Competition Rules & Application 2024-2025 Honors Orchestra Concerto Competition Rules & Application 2024-2025

Donation Box Donate Today! Now is a great time to give the gift of music education with Youth Music Monterey County! Your support ensures the availability of an unparalleled music education program in our community. No gift is too small or too large. Fill out our online donation form below, or make a check payable to Youth Music Monterey County. If you intend on giving a gift of more than $500, please consider joining our Angel Network family of donors! Learn about the Angel Network More Ways to Give

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

Contact Us Youth Music Monterey County 546 Hartnell Street, Suite B Monterey, CA 93940 office@youthmusicmonterey.org (831) 375-1992 This is a... Submit Thanks for submitting! We'll be in touch.

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!

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 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 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 Dennis Baraw Cello or Bass Marina (860) 794-6004 dennisbaraw@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 Stephanie Janowsky Harp Santa Cruz (408) 366-8810 Judy Roberts Cello Soquel (831) 462-5420 judyrobertscello@gmail.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 Rafael Vazquez Guevara Violin Monterey (831) 324-2703 rafaelviolin7@gmail.com Aleksey Klyushnik Cello, Bass Monterey (916) 223-6989 akpycb@gmail.com Nick Williams All Woodwinds, Double Bass Monterey (831) 594-5404 nwmusic70@yahoo.com Woodwinds Debbie Busch Oboe East Garrison (650) 269-0652 debbusch21@sbcglobal.net Jennifer Kennedy (Candiotti) Flute Lessons in Monterey and Salinas (818) 859-2643 jenniferkennedyflute@gmail.com jenniferkennedyflute.com Nick Williams All Woodwinds, Double Bass Monterey (831) 594-5404 nwmusic70@yahoo.com Erica Horn Clarinet Laureles Grade (619) 665-1209 ericahornphoto@aol.com Peter Lemberg Oboe, English Horn Monterey (408) 691-0114 plemberg59@gmail.com Erin Irvine Bassoon Santa Cruz, Pacific Grove (323) 422-1325 erin-irvine@hotmail.com Stu Reynolds Saxophone, Clarinet Seaside, Santa Cruz (831) 899-7901 trading4s@att.net 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 .

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

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.

Board of Directors The directors who currently serve YMMC include music educators, parents of past or present program participants, community leaders, and business professionals with fundraising, non-profit, and musical experience. Executive Committee Peter Meckel, Vice President Mari Rondeli, Secretary Board of Directors Ed Gavrin Amelia Maaske Cindy Schroeder Advisory Board Farkhad Khudyev, Music Director of the University of Texas Symphony, Assistant Professor of Orchestral Studies, University of Texas, Butler School of Music Jung-Ho Pak, Conductor, Cape Cod Symphony, Conductor, World Youth Symphony Orchestra, Director of Orchestras, Interlochen Arts Camp