Symphony Youth Chorus in performance last year.

Carson City Symphony’s after-school youth chorus and string instrument instruction will begin in September at five locations in Carson City. Tuition is free; donations and Symphony Association memberships are encouraged. These programs are for Carson City area public-, private-, and home-school students, and classes are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Symphony Youth Chorus provides group singing experience for ages four and up. Classes meet on Tuesdays, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., beginning Sept. 15, at Empire Elementary School, 1260 Monte Rosa Drive. For more information, contact the youth chorus director Nidsa Tarazon, Nidsa.Tarazon@gmail.com. Register at CCSymphony.com.

Symphony Youth Strings provides beginning violin lessons for students grades 2 to 5, a beginning cello program, and ensemble/orchestra experience for string students in all grades. Enrollment is limited to provide maximum individual instruction in a small group setting. The instructors request that strings students do not rent or purchase instruments until after the first class. Some instruments are available for loan. For more information, contact the Symphony’s Education Director, Suzanne McGarraugh, 661-478-8615, suzannemcgarraugh@gmail.com. Register at CCSymphony.com.

Beginning Violin lessons for elementary school students are held after school on Tuesdays at Empire Elementary School, 1260 Monte Rosa Drive, from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m., beginning on September 15, and on Wednesdays at Bordewich Bray Elementary School, 110 Thompson Street, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. beginning on September 16. Students may enroll for class at either location.

Beginning Cello lessons are held on Wednesdays at Bordewich Bray Elementary School, 110 Thompson Street (use entrance on King Street), from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., beginning on September 16.

String Ensembles are for students who have had previous experience on violin, viola, cello, bass, or harp. Classes meet on Thursdays beginning September 17 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Family Church, 1201 N. Saliman Rd. The beginning ensemble (Allegro) meets 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The advanced ensemble, STRAZZ, meets 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

All students will have the opportunity to perform in Symphony Youth Strings and Chorus concerts on December 10, 2026, and April 22, 2027 at the Carson City Community Center.

Carson City Symphony’s Youth programs are funded in part by grants from the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; from Carson City; and by private donations.