Arts on the Plateau: Youth String Orchestra Forming in Enumclaw

Enter Enumclaw Music and Instruments on a Monday evening and feel the thrill in the air. Students arriving at 7 p.m. lugging their stringed instruments, cello and violins, chatter excitedly with each other as they ready for the class they can’t miss. They have joined the newly started Monday Youth String Orchestra and it means the world to them.  Pushing to achieve their dreams to be better musicians, play music and perform, this is a rare opportunity. It is store owners David and Cathy Bozich’s dream to prepare the youth for live on stage performances as an orchestra.

“It’s been giving my daughter further experience with her cello,” says Ellen Burton, parent of fifth grader, Eva, who has been in Magic Strings at Southwood Elementary School since the 2^nd grade. “She just wanted to play more contemporary music and this gives her that chance. She is being challenged. She’s really excited to come here every Monday.”

Professional instructors

Teaching the class is violin instructor, Kaitlin Lohr, assisted by violinist Ruth Dirks, both teachers with incredible distinction. “I have seen the need for a youth orchestra on the Plateau for some time now and now, with the support of Enumclaw Music, this is a perfect opportunity to make it happen,” says Kaitlin. “We will be playing some challenging popular repertoire and working on fundamental skills to improve playing as a group.”  

A very short list of Kaitlin’s many credentials include attending the prestigious Royal Conservatory of Music where she obtained Level 10 Certification in the National Music Certificate Program. For ten years she was under private tutelage of violinist Rhonda Marsh of University of Puget Sound and violinist, Svend Ronning of Pacific Lutheran University; she is currently the violin instructor at Cedar River Academy; and plays violin with the Pacific Lutheran University Orchestra; she was 1st Violinist in the Tacoma Youth Symphony Orchestra from 2004 to 2006.  

The youth orchestra include all ages which is what makes it a great learning curve for some youth like Eva yet draws exceptional talents like Matthew Akre, 13, who plays 1^st string violin in the Thunder Mountain Middle School Orchestra. According to his father, Alan Dunn, his son Matthew cant’ get enough experience playing with a group. “He wants to pursue a career in music. He comes home from school every day and immediately starts playing his violin.” Dunn says his son, a straight A student, is willing to work hard to achieve his dreams. That’s why the creation of a youth orchestra fills a void. “In my opinion this music store is the glue that holds downtown Enumclaw together,” says Dunn. “My family is going to help any way we can and we need the support of our local people here.”

Ellen agrees. “I love what they are doing here at Enumclaw Music, offering this at a low cost, and we parents appreciate that. We want to draw more kids in here.”

How to sign up

The Monday Youth String Orchestra is in its infancy. Youth who want to join can arrive on Monday night at 7 p.m. and sign in. Parents need to register their child. All is asked is to throw $5 in the bucket each practice and that goes to help pay the instructors. 

For more info call Enumclaw Music and Instruments at 360-825-1191 or drop by the store located at 1515 Cole Street. Their website is www.EnumclawMusic.com.