About Us

---

Group Method Classes

We teach violin, viola, cello and string bass simultaneously in group classes using curriculum designed to have the instruments all learn and play together.  Our programs follow the school calendar year, with special classes offered in summer. Our program is available to students from 3rd through 12th grade.

Youth Orchestra Ensembles
After as little as two years of group class, many students are prepared to join the Junior Orchestra, a preparatory-level string orchestra for students throughout the area. The Chamber Orchestra is our top-level ensemble, giving the most dedicated players further opportunity to develop their ensemble playing.

Concerts and Performances 

Our students perform twice a year in concerts featuring all class levels and ensembles. These concerts are free and open to the public. We also perform for the community throughout the year for various events.

Community Outreach & Partnerships

We have performed for many charity and non-profit events and fundraisers. Not only is music our gift to our community, but it provides valuable experience to our young musicians. We are proud to partner with Greater Albany Public Schools, Linn-Benton Community College, and local businesses and churches for instructional space, equipment, curriculum, and resource sharing.

 The Mid-Valley Prelude Sinfonia youth orchestra program was started in 2007 by parents who wanted to create an opportunity for youth in the Albany area to learn the violin, viola, cello, or string bass. There was no youth orchestra program in the schools, and very few private instructors.

From a single small class in 2007, MVPS has expanded its program to five different orchestral levels and added electronic music production and podcasting classes. After pivoting to online instruction for the 2020 pandemic, we are excited to be nearly back to our pre-pandemic enrollment in 2021-2022.

2021 also marked a banner year with a name change to Albany Youth Orchestra and a move to a new home next to Browsers' Bookstore. We are retaining our previous name for business reasons, so you will see both names occasionally. This new location will allow us to offer classes to students from any school, offer a wider range of classes, more efficiently serve our partner schools, and be able to serve our growing student population more effectively.

 The Mid-Valley Prelude Sinfonia (MVPS) is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization whose goal is to provide quality, affordable opportunities for youth in the Mid-Valley  area to play violin, viola, cello, or string bass in a group setting.

 Learning to play an instrument has a lasting beneficial benefit on brain development as well as on  social and emotional  development. Most musicians will agree that playing music adds many benefits to their lives.  Our hope is to bring this experience to as many local youth as possible, so that they can experience for themselves the joy, satisfaction and pride of playing an instrument.

No Financial Barriers

 We believe that great music education should be accessible to every child. We provide need-based tuition assistance, as well as financial support , instrumental rental, concert attire, and other support as needed. 

Kim has been with MVPS since 2009 as an instructor and conductor, and stepped into the role of the organization's first Executive Director in 2018. Her goals for the organization are to make orchestra classes available for all students in Albany and greater Linn County, and to ensure that classes are available to all children without barriers. 

Emily joined us in 2021. Her responsibilities include communications, social media, and helping us become more sustainable financially as we grow. Emily grew up in Albany and loves being part of bringing youth music to the community. She recently received a degree from WOU in Spanish and business. She also plays viola!! 

Isaac Andrew is a performer, educator and conductor.  He holds music education and performance degrees from Azusa Pacific University and Cal State Long Beach.  Isaac teaches cello for MVPS and tuba and euphonium at Oregon State University and Linn Benton Community College and is a founding member of Chintimini Brass.  He currently performs and teaches low brass, electric bass, cello and ukulele.  You can find him around the Willamette Valley playing in groups from praise bands to swing bands, symphony orchestras to acoustic trios.  He enjoys sharing the joys of music with others, training for triathlons and video games! 

Jasmine has an extensive music background, starting with being an orchestra kid in school! She recently received her music production degree from OSU. Jasmine plays and teaches guitar, bass, keyboard and violin and is a composer and audio engineer. In addition to teaching Level 1 at South Shore, Jasmine will be leading Junior Orchestra and teaching our new Music Production classes. 
 

 I am Julie Ritchey and I have taught elementary music in public schools since 1997. I received my bachelors degree from BYU in 1996 and my masters degree from OSU in 2005. This will be my 7th year teaching strings at South Shore Elementary School. I love teaching music and inspiring kids. I believe music creates an opportunity to help students see that they can do hard things. The confidence they gain can also help them in their future.  

Denver Speelman graduated summa cum laude from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. At Oregon State he studied violin with Jessica Lambert and was the recipient of the Homer Maris Music Scholarship. He has performed with the Corvallis-OSU Symphony, the OSU
Opera Workshop, the Corvallis Repertory Singers, and the Eugene Ballet. Denver is currently the assistant concertmaster of the Willamette Valley Symphony and teaches violin privately in Corvallis. 

Jerry joined our board in 2022. 

 Interested individuals are encouraged to contact us at info@albanystrings.org. Become a part of a vibrant and growing youth program!