Beginner Strings
Background
In an effort to make music education more accessible and equitable on Bainbridge Island, in the fall of 2022 BIYO began to offer an after school program at Blakely Elementary for 2nd-4th graders to learn violin, viola or cello. With seasoned teachers Priscilla Jones and Colleen Walden at the helm and BIYO musicians Elizabeth and Mary Stein as student teachers, the Beginner Strings program was born. Students met twice a week to explore making beautiful sound, reading music, developing practice habits, and playing in a group setting. Our first season saw 11 students enthusiastically complete the course, culminating in a performance at the BIYO 2023 Spring Concert in the Bainbridge High School Theater!
Beginner Strings 2025-2026
Beginner Strings will be returning in the fall of 2025 and is expanding to include older students! Classes will be on Thursdays at Bethany Lutheran Church, with grades 2-4 meeting 3:00pm-3:45pm, and grades 5+ meeting 4:00pm-5:00pm.
When?
Grade 2-4: Thursday, 3:00pm-3:45pm
Grade 5+: Thursday, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Term I: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5 (concert)
Term II: 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/7 (concert, 3pm BPA)
Who can join?
Students grades 2 and up are eligible; younger students may be considered on a case by case basis. Tuition is $300 per term, with a 50% discount for siblings. Tuition assistance is available upon request with board approval. Please email [email protected]. BIYO reserves the right to limit class size and to cancel the class with full refund if minimum class enrollment is not met. Class will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
What do I need?
Families are responsible for providing their own instrument. Thanks to a grant from the Bainbridge Island Rotary Club, we have a limited number of instruments available for rent for $50/term, first come first served based on registration. Village Music on Bainbridge Island also has instruments available for rent. Other quality rental options include Bischoffberger, Lasley and Sten Olsen in Seattle, Hammond-Ashley in Issaquah, and Applebaum in Tacoma.
What's after Beginner Strings?
After a year of Beginner Strings, students are ready to join our Debut Orchestra, conducted by Justine Jeanotte. We also ask students to start lessons with a private teacher so that they can continue to progress.
How do I sign up?
In an effort to make music education more accessible and equitable on Bainbridge Island, in the fall of 2022 BIYO began to offer an after school program at Blakely Elementary for 2nd-4th graders to learn violin, viola or cello. With seasoned teachers Priscilla Jones and Colleen Walden at the helm and BIYO musicians Elizabeth and Mary Stein as student teachers, the Beginner Strings program was born. Students met twice a week to explore making beautiful sound, reading music, developing practice habits, and playing in a group setting. Our first season saw 11 students enthusiastically complete the course, culminating in a performance at the BIYO 2023 Spring Concert in the Bainbridge High School Theater!
Beginner Strings 2025-2026
Beginner Strings will be returning in the fall of 2025 and is expanding to include older students! Classes will be on Thursdays at Bethany Lutheran Church, with grades 2-4 meeting 3:00pm-3:45pm, and grades 5+ meeting 4:00pm-5:00pm.
When?
Grade 2-4: Thursday, 3:00pm-3:45pm
Grade 5+: Thursday, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Term I: 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5 (concert)
Term II: 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/7 (concert, 3pm BPA)
Who can join?
Students grades 2 and up are eligible; younger students may be considered on a case by case basis. Tuition is $300 per term, with a 50% discount for siblings. Tuition assistance is available upon request with board approval. Please email [email protected]. BIYO reserves the right to limit class size and to cancel the class with full refund if minimum class enrollment is not met. Class will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
What do I need?
Families are responsible for providing their own instrument. Thanks to a grant from the Bainbridge Island Rotary Club, we have a limited number of instruments available for rent for $50/term, first come first served based on registration. Village Music on Bainbridge Island also has instruments available for rent. Other quality rental options include Bischoffberger, Lasley and Sten Olsen in Seattle, Hammond-Ashley in Issaquah, and Applebaum in Tacoma.
What's after Beginner Strings?
After a year of Beginner Strings, students are ready to join our Debut Orchestra, conducted by Justine Jeanotte. We also ask students to start lessons with a private teacher so that they can continue to progress.
How do I sign up?
