Mat-Su Youth Orchestra Fall Registration
Contributed by Brenda Davis
Are you a young musician wanting to improve your technical skills and build your musicianship? If so, look no further than the Mat-Su Youth Orchestra. Our nonprofit intermediate-level orchestra is a great place for aspiring musicians to enhance their large-group performance skills.
The Mat-Su Youth Orchestra was formed in 2009 by a group of music teachers who realized the need for a youth orchestra in the Valley. Fred and Carolyn Harding invited young private string students to play a string jamboree every year with the adult group, and it blossomed from that rewarding experience.
Kai West, Judy Montalbano, Debbie Davis, and Kim Levesque are founding members and are still current board members, with Kai being the orchestra conductor. Kai says, “We play all styles of music and often take suggestions from the students. We play classical, folk, cinema, Broadway tunes, opera, rock, and more.”
This semester MSYO will be directed by retired Colony Middle School music teacher Mr. Toby Lambert and will be combining with the adult Matanuska Orchestra for a joint spring concert.
MSYO is open to all ages from 12 to 102. It’s never too late to learn. We’re dedicated to providing accessible music education to young musicians. The group meets at Iditarod Elementary School on Mondays from 6:30–8 p.m. during the school year. They perform two concerts each year, one winter and one spring. Concerts are held at Valley Performing Arts.
Registration for the spring semester of the 2026 school year will be Jan. 12 and 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Iditarod Elementary School. The fee for the semester is $100, which covers the cost of music and copy fees. Please bring a letter of recommendation from a school music teacher or private instructor that speaks to your experience and will vouch for your readiness to participate in MSYO. Rehearsal begins Jan. 12. Join us and take your talent to the next level.