Academy Strings is our NEW middle school string orchestra for students in grades 6–8.

This after school youth orchestra is directed by Erin Wells, a Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District orchestra teacher. Academy Strings students will learn fun repertoire, all while honing their chops, building confidence, and making friends from different schools across the westside! 

This program is an intermediate string orchestra, designed to help players develop essential technique, musicality, and ensemble playing skills needed to play advanced repertoire.

All participants must also be currently enrolled in their middle school music program. Enrollment will be verified with each student’s school music teacher.

Please email Director of Operations and Programs Emily Senchuk for more information about this ensemble.

SCHEDULE & TUITION

Academy Strings meets on Tuesdays from 6:00–8:00pm at the Elemental Music campus (1906 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica).

Tuition for the 2024/25 season is approximately $430/trimester, for a total of $1,295 for the season. Tuition averages to approximately $24/hour. Participation is a year-long commitment (27 rehearsals). 

Early Bird Discount for those who enroll by June 1: $50

Non-refundable deposit of $250 is due upon enrollment.

Tuition reduction is available on a sliding scale. Our Tuition Reduction Form is short & sweet. Please submit your form ASAP so we can help determine a family-friendly tuition rate for you and start making music! Payment plans are also available.

ENSEMBLE PLACEMENT

During the Academy Strings ensemble placement, students will be asked to play:

  • 2–3 major scales (as many octaves as the student feels comfortable preparing)

  • a brief prepared solo (something out of your orchestra book is fine!)

  • demonstrate music literacy through sight-reading

Ensemble placements for students who are new to Elemental Music will be held in September 2024. Please fill out the form below to get on our list.

If you would like to speak with our Translation Liaison to answer questions and provide information in Spanish, please email Juanita Devis. You can also visit our Spanish website for more information!

Si usted desea hablar con nuestra Traductora Intermediaria para que responda sus preguntas y reciba la información en español, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a Juanita Devis. ¡También puede visitar nuestra página de internet en español para más información!