The University of Arizona String Project offers a variety of community-based music instruction for participants of all ages.
The UA String Project is a teacher-training program. The teaching faculty is comprised of outstanding doctoral, masters, and undergraduate performance and serves participants from across the Southern Arizona community.
Programs
Youth Strings
Eligibility: String Project Youth Strings is open to students in grade levels 2nd through High School. Students can learn violin, viola, cello, or bass. If your school offers an orchestra, we expect students participate in their school orchestra.
Students are primarily grouped by instrument experience and ability level and families should understand that students will be in a class with variously aged students.
- Pre-Orchestra: Class for students with little to no prior experience, usually 2nd-4th grade beginners.
- Beginning Ensemble: Students with at least 1 year of playing experience who have novice experience in reading music. Usually students in 5th-8th grades.
- Advanced Ensemble: Students with at least 3 years of experience who are fluent in musical notation, usually ages 13+. Students in the Advanced Ensemble have the option to extend their private lesson time to 45 or 60 minutes.
Together in Music
Beginning Spring of 2026, we are excited to offer Together in Music, a play-based musicianship class for children ages 3-6 led by Dr. Gabriela Ocádiz. These 30-minute sessions invite young children and their caregivers to explore sound, rhythm, listening, and creative play together in a warm, community-centered environment. Classes will be divided into two age levels: 3 & 4 y/o at 10am and 5 & 6 y/o at 10:30am. Because these sessions are designed for meaningful caregiver–child interaction, space will be limited.
New Horizons
Adult string ensemble open to members interested in learning violin, viola, cello, or bass. No prior musical experience needed. We offer three different levels for adults at any stage of their string-playing journey. The string ensembles are open to adults and meet weekly during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
Mariachi Ensemble
The University of Arizona String Project is excited to offer a mariachi ensemble experience this spring. This ensemble is open to students with at least one year playing experience on the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, bass, trumpet, guitar, vihuela, & guitarron. No prior mariachi experience is required for students interested in this ensemble.
Location
University of Arizona, School of Music: 1017 N. Olive Rd., Tucson, AZ. Free parking is available in Parking Lot 3039 located to the East of the Center for Creative Photography (945 N Palm Dr, Tucson, AZ 85719). Most Saturdays this lot free and accessible except when there is a large event such as football or basketball games, or fairs on campus.
Occasionally, when this lot is full, you may need to pay for parking at meters near the music building or in the Park Avenue Garage. From the Park Avenue Garage, walk south under the underpass. At the top of the incline the School of Music is on the right.
Instruments
The UA String Project does not provide instruments. We expect most participants to rent or purchase their own instruments for students. If renting an instrument is cost prohibitive for your family, please note this in our financial assistance form and contact the UA String Project at stringproject@music.arizona.edu.
Youth Strings Student and Parent Expectations
Students must be on time for rehearsals and lessons; frequent tardiness will lead to dismissal from the program. Required materials include instrument and bow, shoulder rest or rock stop, rosin, suggested books, notebook, pencil, and ensemble music.
Developing a practice routine is key to student development and parents are encouraged to help younger students practice. Other parent responsibilities include attending all UASP meetings, rehearsals, lessons, and events. If your school offers an orchestra, we require students also participate in their school orchestra.
Participants must treat fellow students, parents, faculty, and university personnel and facilities with respect. The UA String Project is an inclusive learning environment. The University of Arizona is committed to creating and maintaining an environment free of discrimination. In support of this commitment, the University prohibits discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, based on a protected classification, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information.
Performances: Each ensemble will perform a selection of pieces at the end of the semester concert in one of the performance halls. Private lesson faculty will schedule an end of semester solo recital.
History: The University of Arizona String Project was founded by Dr. Theodore Buchholz in 2015. The program steadily grew to more than 100 pre-college students with fourteen faculty members. He built an endowment for the program, enabling free private lessons to community students who might otherwise have no exposure to music education. Buchholz led the program through the COVID pandemic developing an online curriculum and then led the program back to in-person classes. After ten years at the helm, Dr. Buchholz passed the UASP’s leadership baton to Dr. Kelsey Nussbaum.