North Coast Strings Program 
Fall 2025 Offerings 
 
Fundamentals 1 
Tuesdays, 4:00–5:15 p.m. 
Designed for adults with little to no experience on violin, viola, cello, or bass, this class focuses on building foundational skills, including note reading and rhythm basics. 

Fundamentals 2 
Tuesdays, 4:00–5:15 p.m. 
For adults with some prior experience, this class continues skill development through playing accessible repertoire while strengthening technique and musicianship. 

Orchestra One 
Tuesdays, 5:30–6:45 p.m. 
Our intermediate-level ensemble, conducted by Alyze Dreiling, welcomes participants with several years of experience who can read music and play in multiple positions. The group explores repertoire written or arranged for this skill level, providing a supportive yet challenging environment. 

North Coast Strings Orchestra 
Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. (with 15-minute break) 
The program’s most advanced ensemble, conducted by Alyze Dreiling and supported by professional section coaches—Andrea Altona (1st violin), Judy Coker (2nd violin), Jorge Soto (viola), Elizabeth Brown (cello), and Joe McNalley (bass)—performs original, unadapted repertoire at a high level of musicianship. 

Fall Session Rehearsal Dates: 

September 23, 30 
October 7, 21, 28 (NO rehearsal October 14) 
November 4, 18, 25 (NO rehearsal November 11) 
December 2, 9, 30 
January 6 

Concert: Weekend of January 10. (Exact date/time TBD) 

Fees: 
Fundamentals 1: $200 
Fundamentals 2: $200 
Orchestra 1: $200 
North Coast Strings: $225 

Scholarships are Available
*Museum members receive a 10% discount.

About the leadership: 

Alyze Dreiling 
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Alyze Dreiling began her studies with master pedagogue Mischa Mischakoff, supported by the Detroit Symphony and the Music Study Club of Metropolitan Detroit. She earned a BM in Violin Performance from Indiana University, studying with the legendary Josef Gingold, and an MA in Orchestral Performance from United States International University. An award-winning conductor, accomplished violinist, and esteemed educator, Alyze leads the North Coast Strings Orchestra and inspires musicians of all ages through her artistry and leadership. For full biography, please visit https://www.alyzedreiling.com/.  

 
Andrea Altona 
Andrea Altona earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Linda Cerone and James Stern, and completed additional studies at the University of Iowa School of Music with Allen Ohmes and William Preucil. She holds an M.B.A. from San Diego State University, has over 30 years of teaching experience with Suzuki and Mark O’Connor training, and has performed with the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera, New World Symphony, Broadway tours, and major artists including James Taylor and Andrea Bocelli. 
 

Judy Coker 
Judith Coker earned a Master’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University and has been a member of the Calgary Philharmonic, the Mexico City Philharmonic, and the San Diego Symphony and Opera Orchestra. A distinguished violinist and educator, she brings passion, expertise, and encouragement to her students, teaching both beginning and advanced string players and performing extensively throughout North America and Mexico. 
 

Jorge Soto 
Jorge Soto has been actively involved with music performance and education in Southern California and Mexico since 2002. Concertmaster of the Orquesta de Baja California and a Henry Mancini Institute alumnus, he has performed with artists including Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, Roberta Flack, and Luciano Pavarotti. Jorge taught for eight years with the La Jolla Music Society’s outreach program and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education. 
 

Elizabeth Brown 
Elizabeth Brown holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Cello Performance from the Eastman School of Music and has performed internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. She served as principal cellist of the Orquesta Sinfónica Sinaloa de las Artes in Mexico for over a decade and has appeared at major festivals including Aspen, Ojai, and AIMS in Austria. In San Diego, she performs regularly with the California Chamber Orchestra, The Classics Philharmonic, and Quartet Nouveau, while also teaching both privately and in schools, inspiring students to explore music at every level. 

 
Joe McNalley 
Joe McNalley is the founder and Artistic Director of the Hutchins Consort. He studied at some fancy places with some fancy people, and has played with other fancy people in spiffy spots. He has been writing music since the 1970s, and some of his music ended up in Emmy nominated and winning shows. Joe is also a luthier of low-to-middling talent, and a sailor who has not run aground, but expects to someday.