North Coast Strings
North Coast Strings is a musical ensemble designed to be an entry point for adults who want to learn to play a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass) or for those who have played in the past, but haven’t picked up their instrument in a number of years.
The orchestra is hosted by the Museum of Making Music and directed by Paula Simmons.
About the Conductors
Alyze Dreiling is an award-winning conductor, and accomplished violinist and violist in San Diego. In addition to serving as the YPO Soloists Ensemble Artistic Director and Conductor since 2010, she is adjunct faculty at Grossmont Colllege, University of San Diego and USD Chamber Music Festival and is also a violinist with Trio Licenza, the piano trio, in residence at USD, and a member of the California Consort.
Founding conductor Paula Simmons received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Viterbo College, a fine arts college in La Crosse, Wisconsin. And her Master of Music in Viola Performance from Florida State University in Tallahassee. Before moving to San Diego, she performed with the El Paso Symphony, the Pro Musica Chamber Ensemble in El Paso Texas, and the Jacksonville Symphony in Jacksonville Florida. Since moving to California, Ms. Simmons has freelanced extensively in the San Diego area and the Baja with a variety of orchestras, chamber ensembles and guest performers including Starlight Theatre, San Diego Comic Opera, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Orquestra de Baja, Camarata de Ensenada, the Bolshoi and San Francisco Ballet, The Moody Blues, Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Burt Bacharach, Dion Warwick, Natalie Cole, and Michael Crawford. For several years Paula was also the primary orchestra conductor of the Civic Youth Orchestra Organization.
The William & Violet Saxton Music Library
The North Coast Strings program at the Museum of Making Music has received generous support from the Saxton Family Foundation. This support enabled the Museum to create the William & Violet Saxton Music Library. Honoring violinist William Saxton, the library features nearly 200 beginner, intermediate and advanced musical works that the North Coast Strings use for their rehearsal and performance repertoire.
Current Offerings
Adult Music Scholarships offers adults (21 yrs. and older) and seniors with either no music experience, or those who haven’t played their instruments in many years, the opportunity to be a part of either the North Coast Strings Orchestra or the North Coastal New Horizons Band. One of the most important aspects of this program, is that any adult who aspires to play a musical instrument for enjoyment and health will have access to this program, regardless of financial constraints. Financial assistance can cover monthly dues or instrument rental fees among other expenses.
The North Coast Strings Orchestra has temporarily pivoted to an online format. We are finding new ways to learn, enjoy, and share music with our learning community. To kick off our Summer Session 2020 we are offering an online lecture/discussion series that will deepen our understanding of music and enhance our playing when we gather together in person once again. This special series is sure to shed some light on how music evolved, as well as how some of our own NCS repertoire fits into the overall musical picture.