Peninsula Community Youth Orchestra

String beginnings start here.

Community-funded and run group string classes in Sequim and Port Angeles, with classes and ensembles for toddlers, kids, teens and adults. No experience needed.

Find your class Register on Jovial
  • Ages 0 to adult
  • Sequim & Port Angeles
  • 80 students and growing
Eight smiling PCYO students holding their violins, violas and cellos A young girl in a yellow dress playing her violin A smiling student holding his violin

Find your starting place

Whether you're three or fifty, we aim to support your journey. Pick the one closest to you; we'll help with the rest.

  • A young Sound Sprouts student and her grandmother doing music and movement together in class

    Sound Sprouts

    Ages 0–6

    Music, movement and songs with a grown-up. Join any time.

  • A young Suzuki Sprouts student and her teacher holding a violin together

    Suzuki Sprouts

    Ages 3–7

    Your child's first violin class with a parent. No attention span required. New students begin each January in Port Angeles.

  • Two boys with a violin and a cello

    Beginner Strings

    Ages 6–12

    Violin, viola, cello or bass, from the very first note. New students begin each fall.

  • A conductor leading young violinists and cellists in front of tall windows

    Intermediate & Youth Orchestra

    Ages 7–13

    Already playing? Grow your skills and perform in real concerts.

  • A teenage cellist and her dad playing the violin

    Adult Strings

    Teens & adults

    Always wanted to play? It's never too late. Violin and viola labs for grown-ups.

Not sure which fits? Compare all classes and schedules

Our values

  • Playing music together makes us better

    Group classes build friendships and keep the long journey to skilled play fun from day one.

  • Orchestral music is for everyone

    We never want finances to keep a student from learning music. No instrument? Borrow one from our library, which we maintain with donations. Tuition scholarships are available on request.

  • Mistakes are part of success

    Every player starts somewhere. Our classes are a friendly place to try, slip up and keep improving, at any age.

More about us and our mission

A young bassist playing her double bass with a bow at a concert A line of young violinists performing at a concert Three young violin students grinning at the camera The orchestra on stage at Swisher Hall during a concert

A path that grows with you

Start small and keep going. Each level leads to the next, with concerts every term and a yearly concert alongside the Sequim Community Orchestra.

  1. Sprouts

    Ages 0–7

    Learn by ear, with songs and movement.

  2. Beginner Strings

    Year 1

    First notes and first music reading.

  3. Intermediate Strings

    Years 2–3

    Build real command of the instrument.

  4. Youth Orchestra

    Years 4–6

    Full orchestral music with peers.

  5. Sequim Community Orchestra

    Years 7+

    Graduate into a high-school-level community orchestra.

  6. Port Angeles Symphony

    Beyond us...?

    Graduates of the SCO may choose to audition for the local symphony.

Adults start in an Adult Strings lab and can grow into the Sequim Community Orchestra too.

“We are a family who have been participating in sprouts for the last year and have three young children. This program has been an absolute godsend. Not only is Christine an amazing teacher with fabulous energy and patience, but to know how much our kids are benefitting from the music exposure makes it all the better.”

Meagan, parent of Suzuki Sprouts students

Meet your teachers

Experienced string teachers who love working with beginners of every age.

  • Christine Faught with her violin

    Christine Faught

    Sprouts, Youth Orchestra (Sequim), Adult Violin

  • Amber Roskamp smiling with her violin

    Amber Roskamp

    Beginner & Intermediate Strings, Sequim

  • Jesse Ahmann playing the cello

    Jesse Ahmann

    Beginner, Intermediate & Youth Orchestra, Port Angeles

  • Anne Burns smiling

    Anne Burns

    Adult Viola Lab, Sequim

Joining is easy

  1. Pick a class

    Use the class finder to see ages, times and places. Compare classes

  2. Register on Jovial

    Sign up online in a few minutes. Register now

  3. Get an instrument

    Come to instrument checkout day and borrow the right size from our library. About the library

Register on Jovial Not ready? Join our mailing list

Come hear us play: upcoming events

ArtsWA, the Washington State Arts Commission EDC