Beginning Violin • Junior Strings • Conservatory Strings • Chamber Strings
Beginning Strings - Weekly Rehearsals Friday 3:30-4:30
Beginning Strings is an absolute beginner level ensemble for those who have never played before. It’s a learning and performance ensemble for elementary-age violin, viola, cello, and string bass students. It is an SMBMF program hosted at the Santa Monica Conservatory and all current K-5th-grade students are invited. No previous experience is necessary. Members will learn exciting pieces and develop level-appropriate music skills such as sight reading, rhythmic development, and chamber playing. They will also develop social skills within a structured musical environment. Parents can expect rewarding growth and an ever-increasing appreciation of music. Our staff will prepare students for middle school performance levels and help them realize their maximum potential as young musicians.
Junior Strings - Weekly Rehearsals Friday 3:30-4:30
Junior Strings is a beginner-level learning and performance ensemble for elementary-age violin, viola, cello and string bass students. It is an SMBMF program hosted at the Santa Monica Conservatory and all current K-5th-grade students are invited. Basic or introductory experience is necessary. Members will learn exciting pieces and develop level-appropriate music skills such as sight reading, rhythmic development, and chamber playing. They will also develop social skills within a structured musical environment. Parents can expect rewarding growth and an ever-increasing appreciation of music. Our staff will prepare students for middle school performance levels and help them realize their maximum potential as young musicians.
Conservatory Strings - Weekly Rehearsals Friday 3:30-4:45
Conservatory Strings is an intermediate-level learning and performance ensemble for elementary-age violin, viola, cello and string bass students. It is an SMBMF program hosted at the Santa Monica Conservatory and all current K-5th-grade students are invited. At least 1-year experience is necessary. Members will learn exciting pieces and develop level-appropriate music skills such as sight reading, rhythmic development, and chamber playing. They will also develop social skills within a structured musical environment. Parents can expect rewarding growth and an ever-increasing appreciation of music. Our staff will prepare students for middle school performance levels and help them realize their maximum potential as young musicians.
String Quartets - Weekly rehearsals - Wednesdays - Time TBD
Members will learn exciting pieces and develop level-appropriate music skills such as sight reading, rhythmic development, and chamber playing. Members should be advanced string players and will be invited to an informal audition. Students will also develop social skills within a structured musical environment. Parents can expect rewarding growth and ever-increasing appreciation of music. Our staff will prepare students for middle school performance levels and help them realize their maximum potential as young musicians.
Members of the Conservatory Strings.
Beginning Violin • Junior Strings • Conservatory Strings • Chamber Strings
Open Enrollment
Online registration begins August 1, 2026. Enrollment is open throughout the year and students can enroll at any time. Parents will need to complete the two-step registration process at their child’s first rehearsal. Students should bring their instruments.
Weekly Rehearsals
Each ensemble will have 36 weekly rehearsals and 2 concerts starting Friday Aug 28, 2026 through May 12, 2025. All rehearsals are held at the Santa Monica Conservatory of Music
Concerts
The two concert dates are Saturdays December 12, 2026 and Saturday May 8, 2027, each at 4 pm.
Tuition
To participate, students must register and be paid in full for current session. If a student joins midway into a session, the tuition is then prorated.
Tuition for Fall Session is $300, which includes 12 Weekly rehearsals.
Tuition for Winter Session is $300, which includes 12 Weekly rehearsals/concert (Dec 12, 2026).
Tuition for Spring Session is $300 which includes 12 Weekly rehearsals/concert (May 8, 2027).
Tuition for the full year paid in advance is discounted to $800!!! ($100 off)
Please click here to register your child’s spot in the program.
If you require van pick-up/drop off service for your child, please click on this linkAFTER you have registered your child.
Faculty
John Redfield
began playing cello at the age of 8, and with the help of private teachers practiced hard throughout Elementary, Middle and High School and was awarded a full scholarship to Indiana University where he attended private studies and master classes with the world-renowned Hungarian cellist and teacher Janos Starker. Starker’s teacher was Schiffer, Schiffer’s teacher was David Popper, and now the Popper Methodology is taught by John Redfield at the Santa Monica Conservatory of Music. No cello methodology can compare to the rigors or rewards of the Popper Methodology, an essential for all aspiring professional cellists. After living in Italy and performing throughout Europe for 13 years, John Redfield returned to Santa Monica, co-founded the Elemental Strings youth orchestra, is currently Founder/Director of the Santa Monica Conservatory of Music, as well as a member of the SMMUSD District Advisory Committee for the Performing Arts. His numerous current and past cello students include prizewinners as well as those pursuing music at Yale, NYU, Georgetown, USC, and UCLA. As a performer, in his little free time from teaching, John has chosen to dedicate himself to performances of the solo cello repertoire (Bach, Kodaly, Cassado, Hindemith, etc.) in 3-4 recitals per year. John plays a Dutch cello dated 1700.
Dahae Shin
Dahae is deeply passionate about pursuing an orchestral career while remaining equally committed to music education. She believes that every child has the ability to learn and thrive, and values fostering early development through a nurturing and encouraging environment where students can build confidence, learn from one another, and develop a lifelong love of music.
Location:The Santa Monica Conservatory of Music1501 Colorado Ave.Santa Monica, CA 90404 Call/Text: (310)576-3600