Donate Email Sign Up Login Printable Calendar Calendar
events
Calendar
Season Pass Information
Locals Pass Information
Box Office Information
Free Fridays - Under 35
Plan Your Visit
Livestreams and Broadcasts
Virtual Stage
Concert Concierge
My Account FAQs
Login for Ticket History
school
About the School
Admissions
Student Handbook
Application Fees & Deadlines
Financial Assistance
Faculty Portal
Artist-Faculty
support
Make a Contribution
Benefits
Donor Ticket Benefits
Brand Partnerships
Planned Giving
Government and Foundation Support
Education and Community Support
Rent or Provide Housing
Volunteer
Buy Merchandise
Advertising Opportunities
about
About the AMFS
Culture, Excellence, Access
Board and National Council
Staff
Employment
Read & Listen
Convocation
Press Area
Code of Conduct
community
Programs for Local Youth
Summer Programs
School Year Programs
Hire a Musician
Community Partners
09

Beginning Strings

06

After-school violin, viola, cello, and double bass instruction for beginning string students in grades 2+

Para leer esta página o aplicación en español, haga clic derecho sobre el ratón y seleccione "Translate." Luego haga clic en los tres puntos en la parte superior derecha de la página web, haga clic en "Choose another language" y seleccione "Spanish."

Apply Now!

Registration opens August 20 and closes October 1.  Late registrations may be accepted if space is available, but will incur a $50 late registration fee to cover delayed application processing.

Program Overview

 

Would you like to learn a string instrument?
If so, Beginning Strings is for you!

This program is for students who wish to study violin, viola, cello, or double bass in a supportive and engaging musical environment. Curriculum includes weekly group classes at five after-school locations throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, performance opportunities, and private or small-group lessons. Our team of teaching artists inspire students to develop a love for music through string education, performance, and music literacy in a social environment. Many students engage in the program for multiple years and develop a strong foundation of both musical and interpersonal skills.

Open to students in grades 2-5. Instrument and tuition scholarships are available. Students are expected to commit to classes for the duration of the program, from mid-October through early May.

 

Schools: 2026-2027 School Year

Beginning Strings will run as an after-school program at seven schools this school year. All Roaring Fork Valley students are welcome to participate in Beginning Strings at any participating school.

Aspen Elementary School

Basalt Elementary School

  • Wednesdays from 2:05-3:35 PM
  • Classes start October 14
  • Click here to view the class schedule
  • Required parent meeting: Wednesday, October 14, 3:35-3:55 PM
  • As of 2:30pm on 8/20 we are on a waitlist for the beginner class at Basalt Elementary School

Cornerstone Christian School

Crystal River Elementary School

Riverview School

Glenwood Springs Elementary School

Sopris Elementary School

 

Do you have a scheduling conflict with the Beginning Strings day at your school this fall? Or, are you planning to participate in Girls on the Run through November? We can help...Please reach out to us about options!

 

After-School Program Cost: $315

 

Cost includes:

  • 19+ weeks of 90-minute classes focused on string pedagogy in a social learning environment
  • Starter supply pack (rosin, shoulder rest or rock stop, finger tapes, method book, music stand)
  • A series of private and/or small group lessons (lessons alone are valued at $125!)
  • Starter supply pack (rosin, shoulder rest or rock stop, finger tapes, method book, music stand)
  • Two performance opportunities
  • Snacks during classes
  • Students are responsible for the cost of an instrument (rented or purchased). Some AMFS-owned scholarship and rental instruments are available.
  • The cost of this program is heavily subsidized by AMFS donors. Thank you, donors!

Scholarships and Payment Plans

Tuition and instrument scholarships are available to students who demonstrate significant financial need. Tuition payment plans are also available and can be requested during the acceptance process. Additionally, a limited number of instrument scholarships are available to students who are unable to afford purchasing or renting a violin/viola/cello/double bass. Instrument scholarships permit the use of an AMFS-owned instrument while enrolled in Beginning Strings.

AfterWorks Refund Policy

Once a student has registered for an AfterWorks program (Beginning Strings, Chamber Music Lab, Lead Guitar, or Maroon Bel Canto Choirs), the following policy will apply to tuition refunds if that student chooses to leave the program:

  • Before first class/rehearsal: full tuition refund
  • Between first and third class/rehearsal: half tuition refund
  • After third class/rehearsal: no refund

Late Application Fee

A $50 late processing fee will be added to registrations received after October 1, 2026.


Anchor

Instruments

  • Students can choose to learn violin, viola, cello, or double bass through the Beginning Strings program. Follow these links to see each instrument demonstrated by our friends at The Harmony Project: violin, viola & cello.
  • All students should have an instrument ready for the first day of Beginning Strings class. Students will receive detailed information about securing an instrument when they have been accepted to the Beginning Strings program.
  • Determine what size instrument your student needs with these helpful videos: violin, viola & cello.

 

Advanced Opportunities

Blue Square & Black Diamond

Were you involved in Beginning Strings in the past? If you have achieved placement in the Blue Square (intermediate) or Black Diamond (advanced) level of the Beginning Strings program, you will be placed in your own class during the already scheduled class times. All students will be assessed during the first week of class and placed into the appropriate class division.

AMFS Chamber Music Lab

For Double Black Diamond Level Students and Beyond

If you have reached the Double Black Diamond Level in Beginning Strings and/or moved past the regular curriculum and would like to continue, AMFS Chamber Music Lab is for you! In this chamber music program, you will be placed in a small ensemble to develop ensemble skills, learn extended techniques, and expand your independent musicianship with a dedicated ensemble coach.

Interested students will be formed into chamber music groups according to age/grade level and experience/ability level. Small ensemble groups will meet regularly at locations and times based on student and coach availability.

For large ensemble opportunities beyond Beginning Strings, we recommend continuing your musical experience with our friends at the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra!

LEARN MORE HERE!



Performance Opportunities

  • December 7-10, 2026 - AfterWorks Winter Informances | At your beginning strings school!
  • April 28, 2027 – Strings Showcase (Carbondale / Glenwood Springs) | Location TBD | 5:30 PM
  • May 5, 2027 - Strings Showcase (Aspen / Basalt) | Harris Concert Hall | 5:30 PM
    • Beginning Strings classes end after the Showcase Concerts


To learn more, please contact:
Lindsay Bobyak, Director of Education and Community Programs
Email | 970 205 5059
lbobyak@aspenmusic.org


Support for AMFS Education and Community Programs comes from Alpine Bank of Aspen; KOA Charitable Trust; First Western Trust, Aspen; the Fisher Family Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; Nancy Swift Furlotti and the Pettit Foundation; Nancy Meinig - Meinig Family Foundation; Michael E. McGoldrick Charitable Foundation; Pitkin County Dry Goods; and Dana and Gene Powell.



Additional support from Creative West; the National Endowment for the Arts; Melissa Eisenstat and Jonathan Blau; Golub Family Foundation; Edith Kallas and Joe Whatley; Les Dames d’Aspen; and Hensley and James Peterson.

09