Summer Music Academy

For 0-3 years of experience, ages 7-14 (Kinder Violin for ages 5-6).

Workshop classes are a good choice for brand new or developing musicians. Students with some instrument experience will be placed in classes with peers of compatible skill level.  Enrollment includes daily Choir, Rhythm, Movement and Fundamentals classes.

One week option NOT available for Workshop Courses.​

Kinder Violin

Ages 5 to 6.  More info soon.
Faculty: Liz Moore Cooper

Beginning or Continuing Violin and Viola

No prior music experience is necessary for beginning violin and viola; 0-3 years’ experience for continuing violin and viola students. Classes teach students to play violin or viola in a group setting. More experienced players develop new skills and hone the fundamentals. Ages 7 and up.
Faculty: Alex Volonts & Daphne Gooch

Beginning or Continuing Cello

No prior music experience is necessary for beginning cello; 0-3 years’ experience for continuing students cello. Classes teach students to play the cello in a group setting. More experienced players develop new skills and hone the fundamentals. Ages 7 and up.
Faculty: Kathleen Balfe

Double Bass Intensive

No prior music experience is necessary for beginning bass; 0-3 years’ experience for continuing students bass. Classes teach students to play the bass in a group setting. More experienced players develop new skills and hone the fundamentals. Ages 7 and up.
Faculty: Karen Zimmerman

Beginning or Continuing Guitar & Classical Guitar

No prior music experience is necessary for beginning guitar; 0-3 years’ experience for continuing guitar. Classes teach guitar technique, standard music notation and music theory in a group setting. Includes both ensemble and solo playing. Ages 7 and up.
Faculty: Chris Newton & Julio Reyes

Beginning or Continuing Woodwinds 

Appropriate for beginning to intermediate students who have played woodwinds for 0-3 years. Open to flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon. Classes introduce students to playing woodwinds in a group setting. More experienced players develop new skills and hone the fundamentals.
Faculty: Sara Williams

Beginning or Continuing Brass 

Appropriate for beginning to intermediate students who have played brass instruments for 0-3 years. Open to horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Classes introduce students playing brass in a group setting. More experienced players develop new skills and hone the fundamentals.
Faculty: Rachel Aragaki

All workshop courses include supplemental classes in Rhythm, Movement, and Choir

Faculty: Darina Drapkin & Liz Fanora Jones (Rhythm, Movement & Choir)

If you have questions about Summer Music Academy, please contact program manager, Ryan Contreras: rcontreras@srsymphony.org

For experienced instrumentalists, ages 9 – 23.

Students focus on performance in an ensemble setting and deepen their musical understanding through specialty classes such as composition, conducting, improvisation, music theory, and more. The courses culminate in a performance on Saturday, July 29. Students are appropriately placed in ensembles by audition.

One-week option is available ONLY for Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble & Music Technology.
Customize a package by selecting one of these ensembles for each week.

One-week option NOT available for Prelude or Intermezzo.

Prelude String Orchestra

Audition required. Open to violin, viola, cello, and double bass. No prior ensemble experience required. Students must have played their instrument for at least one year. Students will master the basics of playing in an ensemble.  
Faculty: Karen Zimmerman

Intermezzo String Orchestra

Audition required. Open to violin, viola, cello, and double bass. For intermediate string students with at least two years’ ensemble experience. Students will learn to follow a conductor as they enhance their ensemble skills, improve their technique and develop their musicianship.
Faculty: Jeanette Isenberg

Chamber Ensemble  – One week course option available

Audition required. Open to violin, viola, cello, and double bass. For advanced string students with at least four years ensemble experience. Classes will focus on technique and ensemble playing as students practice standard repertoire for chamber ensembles. Students also choose one specialty class (TBD) to complement their ensemble learning. May enroll for one, two or three weeks.
Faculty: Joel Cohen

Jazz Ensemble  – One week course option available

Audition required. Open to all instruments. For intermediate to advanced students, this class is an exploration of different jazz styles, with a focus on improvisation technique and ensemble playing. There is a special need for musicians who play drum set, bass (electric or upright) and piano. Drum set and keyboard are provided by Santa Rosa Symphony.  Students also choose one specialty class (TBD) to complement their ensemble learning.  May enroll for one, two or three weeks.
Faculty: Robert Bowman

Music Technology/Composition – One week course option available

No Audition required. Open to all instruments. This course explores everything related to Music Technology while working in the state of the art Media Tech Lab. Students enrolled will be able to use a desktop workstation everyday learning about programs including Rock Band and more.   Students also choose one specialty class (TBD) to complement their ensemble learning.
Faculty: Costantinos Dafnis

Performance Academy courses include supplemental classes such as Music Exploration Lab, Conducting, Improvisation, and more!

Faculty: Jeanette Isenberg (Music Exploration Lab), Costantinos Dafnis (Composition), & Robert Bowman (Improvisation)

If you have questions about Summer Music Academy, please contact program manager, Ryan Contreras: rcontreras@srsymphony.org