The North Coast Strings program, founded in 2008 at the Museum of Making Music by museum executive director Carolyn Grant and founding conductor Paula Simmons, has been enriching the lives of adult musicians for over 17 years. What began as a single group of 15 participants—whose first concert lasted a total of 15 minutes—has grown into today’s multi-section string orchestra program, welcoming players of all levels, from beginner to advanced. Featuring violin, viola, cello, and upright bass, the program nurtures a love of music-making in a welcoming and noncompetitive environment. Under the guidance of inspirational conductor Alyze Dreiling, participants refine their skills, explore diverse repertoire, and share the joy of ensemble performance. From those just beginning their musical journey to seasoned players rekindling their passion, the North Coast Strings program celebrates lifelong learning and the transformative power of music.

About the Conductor

Alyze Dreiling is an award-winning conductor, and accomplished violinist and violist in San Diego. Born in Detroit, Michigan. The Detroit Symphony and the Music Study Club of Metropolitan Detroit sponsored her education and she began her studies with Mischa Mischakoff, one of the best-known concertmasters in American orchestras. Ms. Dreiling graduated from Indiana University where she studied with Josef Gingold, considered one of the most influential violin masters in the United States. She holds a BM in Violin Performance from Indiana University and MA from United States International University with an emphasis on Orchestral Performance. ​

Ms. Dreiling was a semi-finalist in the European Union International Conducting Competition in 2018 held in Sofia, Bulgaria.  She has attended masterclasses with famed conductors Zoltan Rozsnyai, Gunther Neuhold, Neil Thomson, Dr. Scott Weiss and Philip Greenberg, and she has conducted orchestras in Sofia, Bulgaria and Florence, Italy.

Ms. Dreiling was the founding Artistic Director and Conductor of Classics for Kids and currently is Artistic Director and Conductor of YPO Festival Orchestra, Soloists Ensemble and Soloists Sinfonietta and was recently awarded first prize in the Conductor of Youth Orchestras division of The American Prize Competition. She also conducts the Symphonic Orchestra for Civic Youth Orchestra (CYO)and a String Ensemble at Grossmont College. She performs regularly as solo recitalist and as a member of chamber music groups and is conducting clinician for youth orchestras in the San Diego area as well as for various traveling groups.