Who are we?
Skill Level: Intermediate
Geared towards those who have more developed music skills, NVYS comprises middle school to high school aged students. Building off basic music skills, students will learn techniques like shifting, vibrato, and bow control. Students must have studied their instruments for 2-3 years and completed Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent before joining this ensemble. Private lessons or participation in school ensembles is highly encouraged.
Director
Gabrielle began violin lessons at the age of 5 with Claire Gordon. During her teens she was concert mistress in local youth orchestras, performed at Disney Hall twice, and won the first North Valley Symphony Youth Orchestra Violin Competition. From a young age, she's also played with ProMusica Arizona, the North Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra. Her professional orchestra experience includes the Murphreesboro Symphony Orchestra, the Verde Valley Sinfonietta, and currently plays in the viola section with the North Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Beginning her teaching career as a teenager, she dove into Suzuki pedagogy, and has most valued her studies with Beth Titterington, Beth Cantrell, and Judy Bossuat-Gallic. Currently teaching in the Paradise Valley and Scottsdale area, Gabrielle strives to emulate Dr. Suzuki's principles of a positive learning environment, with a focus on tone production and repetition.
Gabrielle lives in Paradise Valley with her husband Daryck and 3 cats. She enjoys playing both violin and cello in smaller ensembles, as well as composing and arranging music.
Join Us
If you have a passion to perform great music, can meet weekly for rehearsals, are willing to commit to the necessary practice, and want to have fun playing music with your friends, then we want you in our North Valley Youth Strings!
We offer a "ladder up" for young musicians. There are no limits! NVSO provides students the ability to progress from North Valley Symphonettes, to North Valley Youth Strings, and then to North Valley Youth Orchestra. Some students even choose to audition for the NVSO Adult Orchestra. See our current members at the NVSO Youth Ensembles page.
New Key Dates
July 15 - 19th - Summer Strings Camp
September 8th - First Rehearsal Fall Semester
+Rehearsals and at Home Practice
Attend weekly live rehearsals with ensemble directors, which include rehearsals of assigned music, and lessons in technique and music appreciation. Rehearsals are held from 5:00 - 6:30 on Mondays.
The rehearsal venue is: Shiloh Community Church, 19021 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85050
+Concerts
North Valley Youth Strings performs at least one mandatory concert at the end of each semester. An optional “outreach concert” is sometimes scheduled for a performance in a mall setting or retirement center.
+ Tuition
- Full Season Tuition (Fall 2025 - Spring 2026) $325
- Half Season Tuition (Spring 2026) $170
- Sibling discounts of $100 ($50/semester) for each additional sibling.
- Register for the full year by August 15th, 2025, and receive last year's tuition pricing $295
- Financial assistance from the LEMM scholarship fund may be available upon request.
+ Acceptance to NVYS
If you would like to join NVYS, you should send a note through our "Contact Us" page. In the message please provide your name, and describe your age/grade, years playing your instrument, your training and your experience. This will help us place you in the correct youth ensemble.
+ Optional Video Audition
You may also upload a short video if you would like. This is optional, but may help us better know your capabilites.
Include the following Scales - one played detache, and one played slur 4, at about 60-70 BPM:
Violin - 2-Octave C major scale and arpeggio
Viola and Cello - 2-Octave D major scale and arpeggio
Contrabass - 1-Octave G major scale and arpeggio.
Include a Solo Piece from your current techniques book or a concerto you are working on. Choose something you really enjoy that shows us how well you can play!
Test your video camera to ensure good lighting and sound. Make sure your fingers and bow arm are visible. Using a smart phone or iPad camera placed on a stand about 45 degrees to your right side usually works just fine.
After you record your video, upload it using the “Upload Video Audition” button below.
During the upload, you will be asked to sign into a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, and do not wish to or need assistance in creating one, contact NVSO at youth@northvalleysymphony.org to arrange for an alternate means to upload your video.
+ Community Health & Covid 19 Protocols
Each NVSO participant is individually responsible to take the personal precautions appropriate for their specific vaccination and general health status. Students are required to not attend rehearsals and concerts if they are sick.
Register below after receiving notification of your acceptance.
If you have general questions please contact the NVSO Youth Registrar at: youth@northvalleysymphony.org or call 623-980-4628
Questions about the ensemble are best answered by the
North Valley Youth Strings Director, Mrs. Gabrielle Beam at: gabrielleb@northvalleysymphony.org