- Expanding Access to Musical Excellence in Grand Rapids
GR City Strings
Join us in building a stronger, more musical Grand Rapids—one student at a time. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we believe high-quality string education should be accessible to every child. Our mission is to remove barriers to music education and make musical excellence attainable for all, regardless of financial means, neighborhood, or personal story.
Home to Grand Rapids Chamber Music Camp and music outreach by cellist and Executive Director, Alicia Gregorian Sawyers. GR City Strings offers chamber music camp in the summer for students ages 8-18 and music outreach throughout the school year. Students work with expert teachers who inspire confidence, skill, and a lifelong love of music.
Alicia Gregorian Sawyers
📍 Grand Rapids, MI
Summer Camp
Students explore music through chamber ensembles, orchestra, choir, theory, and composition and more!
Chamber Music
At the core of our instruction, students learn to trust, collaborate, listen, lead, and support one another.
Music Outreach
We bring exceptional string instruction into Grand Rapids schools, removing barriers while maintaining excellence.
Our Community
Students make music together — building confidence, friendships, and a lasting sense of community.
- About GR City Strings
GR City Strings Musical Family
At GR City Strings, music brings people together. Our students perform, laugh, and learn side by side, building confidence, discipline, and friendships that last beyond the classroom. Parents love seeing their kids light up when they walk into lessons—because they know they’re part of something special.
- Why Choose GR City Strings?
We believe every child deserves a place to belong
Because at GR City Strings, great teaching goes beyond the music — it builds character, confidence, and community. If your child loves music—or if you’d like to help them discover it—there’s a place for them here.
Our instructors meet each student where they are — nurturing not just strong technique, but curiosity, discipline, and joy in the process of making music.
Whether a student is picking up their first cello bow or preparing for advanced auditions, our teachers create a supportive environment where every child feels seen, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
At GR City Strings, we believe music has the power to transform lives and build community. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our mission is to make high-quality string education accessible to every child—regardless of their financial means, neighborhood, or personal story. Your generosity directly impacts young musicians in our community.
Every contribution—big or small—creates more opportunities for children to learn, grow, and thrive through music.
Alicia Gregorian Sawyers
📍 Grand Rapids, MI
- GR City Strings Chamber Music Camp
Chamber Music Camp
Through shared rehearsal and performance, young musicians discover the joy of making music together — building confidence, friendships, and a lasting sense of community.
Grand Rapids Chamber Music Camp
The Grand Rapids Chamber Music Camp (GRCMC) gives young musicians the chance to learn, perform, and grow alongside some of the finest teachers and performers in the country.
🎻 Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, and Piano students ages 8–18 are welcome!
Each afternoon, students immerse themselves in a variety of musical experiences:
🎶 Chamber Ensemble Coaching – Small group instruction with expert faculty.
🎼 Music Theory & Composition – Build deeper understanding and creativity.
🎻 Chamber Orchestra & Choir – Explore ensemble performance and teamwork.
🎹 Rehearsals & Performance – Dedicated practice to refine your group’s sound.
- Meet GR City Strings Instructors
🎻 Our Expert Teachers
GR City Strings’ world-class faculty has included teachers from all over Michigan, as well as Ohio and New York. Our teachers are more than instructors — they are mentors, performers, and passionate musicians who believe in the power of connection through music.
Teresa Bellamy
- GR City Strings Testimonials
See why families love GR City Strings!
Read heartfelt testimonials from parents and students about our cello lessons, chamber music programs, and the supportive community that helps kids thrive.
August 2023
This program is beyond fantastic! My daughter has participated for the last two years and has grown in her musicality, confidence, and overall teamworking skills. The staff is exceedingly knowledgeable and kind. From day one to the night of the final performance, my daughter participated in a range of different classes that were both engaging and fun! We look forward to joining again next year!
August 2018
This program is a treasure! My daughter learned so much. She sounded better playing in her quartet at the Friday recital than I have ever heard her. She loved learning from Rodney Page, and she made new friends. We plan to sign her up next year!
August 2018
My daughter participated in the 2018 GRCMP camp and I am beyond impressed at the quality of the program that Alicia Gregorian Sawyers put together. The quality of instruction the kids received was top notch and there were fun creative elements and activities woven throughout the week. Alicia did an excellent job of bringing together a diverse group of kids with varying levels of experience and the end result was that everyone had fun, learned, made new friends and performed a stellar concert at the end. I am so thankful that my daughter was able to be a part of it all, and we will definitely be back next year if the camp is offered again! Thank you to Alicia and all of the faculty for a wonderful experience!