Empowering Youth Musicians
Side by Side Arts was founded by high school musicians who wish to make music education accessible to young students in El Sistema programs across the country. We believe that becoming a good musician requires a well-rounded education on all aspects of music beyond private lessons. From learning with instructors and peers, we believe that students can grow and develop into stronger musicians.
Our Structure
Virtual Instruction
All instruction is delivered virtually through Google Meet, which allows us to connect high school instructors with El Sistema students nationwide, regardless of location.
Class Overview
Each week, students in grades 3-8 participate in 45-minute group lessons covering topics like music theory, history, technique, and masterclasses. Students also have the option to sign up for private lessons (30-45 minutes), which run alongside their group instruction and are completely free and optional.
Our Purpose
Our goal is to help young musicians explore the full richness of what it means to be a musician, from performing for others, listening critically, to learning from history.
Our instructors have attended...
Boston University Tanglewood Institute
From Young Artists Orchestra to Young Artists Wind Ensemble to Complete Musician Workshop, our instructors have explored every corner of BUTI!
Colburn Conservatory of Music
An internationally renowned performing arts school in Los Angeles providing "the highest quality music and dance education."
Peabody Institute Vocal Performance Academy
The advanced program within the Peabody Preparatory of Johns Hopkins University for advanced teen classical singers.
San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College
One of the most prestigious pre-collegiate music programs in the country, offering musicians world-class training alongside Conservatory faculty and access to elite performance opportunities.
Our Team
Sydney Ma is a violist from the Midwest. She sought to create a platform connecting musicians of all different backgrounds to incorporate collaboration and social exchanges into practicing because of personal experience.She currently serves as the principal violist of the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra and has participated in the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra as Assistant Principal Violist (2025), MSBOA High School and Middle School All-State Orchestra (2023 - 2026), and Interlochen Symphony Orchestra and Viola Intensive (2024 - 2025). At her school, she is an active member of the Dow High School Symphony and Honors Orchestra. She has received masterclasses from internationally-acclaimed musicians and educators such as Ed Gazouleas, Daniel Sweany, Jeremy Crosmer, and others.
Shuman has participated in the BU Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra as Assistant Concertmaster and various PMEA ensembles. Currently, she is a violinist at Temple Music Prep.
In her 4 years of flute playing, Sophia has won several scholarships and awards. She currently serves as Principal Flute of her school's wind ensemble. In addition, she has extensive experience in jazz band, marching band, pit orchestra, and symphonic band.
Langlen is from Northern Virginia. She started private classical vocal training 4 years ago, and is a student of the 2025-2026 Peabody Institute’s Vocal Performance academy. Her most recent achievements include participating in the All-Virginia choir for three years consecutively and placing first chair alto 1 in her district choir. Langlen is looking forward to serving as Side by Side’s VP of Operations and working alongside many other hardworking musicians!
Siena Koch is a dedicated horn player with a strong passion for classical music. She is the first horn in both youth orchestras at the Colburn Conservatory of Music. She also performs with the Heart of Los Angeles Intergenerational Orchestra. Siena is also a chamber musician and plays in a brass quintet at the Colburn School. She values collaboration, growth, and expressive performance. She is so excited to be on the Side by Side team.
Taryn Lee is a bassoonist in the Evergreen Philharmonic and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, where she has traveled internationally to perform in Portugal in summer of 2025. She has previously attended the Marrowstone Music Festival and Western International Band Clinic, and will be attending the Interlochen Arts Camp in summer of 2026. She is excited to serve as the Vice President of Social Media as a part of Side by Side Arts.
Stephanie Bukuru, the Blog Author at Side by Side Arts, is a double bassist and member of numerous ensembles and bands. Most notably, she is a part of the prestigious Hochstein Symphony Youth Orchestra in New York. She is also an active member of her school's jazz band and orchestra. In the past, she has received invitations to multiple All-County and Area All-State Orchestras. She is very glad to be a part of Side by Side Arts and looks forward to working with talented musicians.
Contact Us
Have any questions, suggestions, or comments? Let us know!
