Side by Side: Summer Music Intensive (SS-SMI) 2026

Two weeks. endless growth.

Your summer music adventure starts here.

Side by Side: Summer Music Intensive (SS-SMI) aims to bring music in an accessible light to students. With two free week-long sessions and many instruments offered, we aim to support students in grades 3 - 8. This program also serves as a music community long after the program ends, with experienced musicians available after the program for 1-1 mentoring with student growth. Students in grades 7 and 8 will receive priority consideration in Side by Side leadership roles and new opportunities in our organization.

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Online Community

Discussions occur through Slack, which students use to communicate with each other outside of class.

Individual Instruction

1-1 communication channels with program directors for guidance occur everyday. Private lessons occur throughout the week.

Online Classes

There are up to 3 hours of instruction per day with additional private 1-1 lessons with program directors. Lessons will cover technique, music theory, group playing, and more!

Discover Opportunities

Resources and guidance on future opportunities such as audition guidance, music programs, youth orchestras, and more.

Support All Year

After the program ends, program directors will continue to assist you. Additionally, students may continue 1-1 instruction during the year with a program director for no charge.

Performance Opportunities

The program will culminate with a performance featuring solo selections from all students. In addition, students have the opportunity to perform in studio classes and masterclasses.

Logistics

Program Specifics

Overview

All instruction will be held via Google Meet, with online discussions occuring through Slack. We will actively ensure students are safe online.

Group lessons

Group lessons will include music theory lessons, general technique lessons, studio classes, and masterclasses.

Private lessons

Private lessons will also occur for more detailed, personalized instruction on solo works and techniques, which will be 30-45 minutes long with a program director.
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Schedule

All classes and events will occur between 10 AM to 9 PM EDT. The specific schedule will be announced closer to the start date and may be scattered across the day.

Program Dates
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Session 1

June 7 - June 14

One week of daily group lessons (two 45-minute sessions/day) covering theory, technique, history, and more.

Session 2

June 21 - June 28

Completely identical to Session 1, just at a different time to ensure smaller group sizes.

Don't worry, you're in safe hands

About Program Directors

Sydney Ma

Sydney is a violist who serves as the principal violist of the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra. She has participated in the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra as Assistant Principal Violist, MSBOA All-State Orchestra, and Interlochen Arts Camp.

Cameron Strahs

Cameron is a tubist at Los Gatos High School and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College, where he serves as Principal Tuba in the Brass Ensemble. He also serves as Principal Tuba with the SFSYO and California Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra, and placed 1st at CASMEC 2026, performing under conductors including Marin Alsop.

Siena Koch

Siena is the first horn in both youth orchestras at the Colburn Conservatory of Music and also performs with the Heart of Los Angeles Intergenerational Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Siena plays in a brass quintet at the Colburn School.

Sophia Dowdy

Sophia has won several scholarships and awards and 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.

Taryn Lee

Taryn is a bassoonist in the Evergreen Philharmonic and the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, where she has traveled internationally to perform in Portugal. In the past, she has attended the Marrowstone Music Festival and Western International Band Clinic.

Shuman Yuan

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.

Apply now!

Applications are on a rolling basis. Our application is free, so we encourage all eligible students to apply. Program details, schedule, and instructor information will be shared with selected applicants.‍