String Classes are offered for children as young as age five years. For the beginning student, no prior music experience is necessary. The continuing student should have had some instruction on their instrument from previous Summer Music Academy classes or instruction at school and/or by private teachers. Students are grouped by age for beginning and continuing lessons.

Students should be prepared to play at the first class session and should attend with an appropriately-sized instrument and bow. Please call if you need information concerning instrument rental. 707.546.7097, ext. 225. Parent attendance at all lessons is desirable.

Minimum enrollment for string classes is five students per class. The group string classes are generally between 5-10 students. The decision to cancel a class because of insufficient enrollment will be made before the second class meeting. If there is a need to add a class due to increased enrollment, an additional teacher and/or time may be scheduled after the first class meeting.

Music Appreciation or Beginning Music Theory is included (at no additional charge) as part of the curriculum for students enrolled in beginning or continuing string classes. The class schedule is included with the information at the right.

Music Appreciation and Theory classes expose students to the elements of music. You do not need to know anything about music theory to enjoy listening to music, but it is essential when learning to play a musical instrument, to have a deeper knowledge. As Leonardo da Vinci, himself a fine performer on the lyra da braccio, said about painting, "You must not only believe what you see, you must also understand what you see", so it is with music: to listen properly, we must understand what we hear.

Musicians are grouped according to age and experience. Adjustments in which class students attend may be made during the first day or so based on teachers’ recommendations.

Students just starting their musical training will be placed in Music Appreciation. Students who have been playing their instrument for a longer period of time, and who are ten years of age or older may be placed in Beginning Music Theory.