GR City Strings Outreach

GR City Strings Music Outreach delivers high-quality string education where students are, inside schools and communities throughout Grand Rapids.

By meeting students where they are, we remove barriers to access while maintaining the highest artistic and educational standards. We deliver high-quality string instruction through small-group ensembles, coached rehearsals, masterclasses, and individualized private lessons. Our program emphasizes collaboration, strong musicianship, and personal growth.

We bring exceptional string instruction into Grand Rapids schools, removing barriers while maintaining excellence.

Through partnerships with local schools, our professional teaching artists provide:

Chamber Music Sectionals – Small-group instruction focused on ensemble skills, listening, balance, and musical communication.
Chamber Music Coachings – Guided rehearsals that develop collaboration, leadership, and musical independence.
Private Lessons – Individualized, one-on-one instruction tailored to each student’s technical and musical growth.
Masterclasses – Inspiring, performance-based learning experiences where students perform for peers and receive expert feedback from professional musicians. Masterclasses foster confidence, artistry, and deeper musical understanding while encouraging students to learn from one another in a supportive, collaborative setting.

At the heart of our outreach is personal connection. Students receive lessons from Alicia Gregorian Sawyers, who is not only an accomplished musician, but a skilled educator who knows how to motivate, encourage, and inspire young players. Instruction is supportive, age-appropriate, and designed to build both confidence and excellence.

We’ve partnered with schools across West Michigan, including Lowell Public Schools, Forest Hills Eastern, Grand Rapids Christian Schools, Union High School, Jenison, Hudsonville, NorthPointe Christian, City High–Middle School, East Grand Rapids, and West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts.

🎻 Partner with Us

By embedding our programs within schools, we ensure that students of all backgrounds and circumstances can experience the transformative power of music education. Our goal is simple: expand access, nurture talent, and elevate musical excellence throughout Grand Rapids.

Interested in partnering with us or bringing Music Outreach to your school? Contact us to learn more about customized programs and scheduling.

GR City Strings students perform chamber music at community events, churches, festivals, and retirement centers throughout Grand Rapids.

GR City Strings students share their music throughout the community through volunteer performances that bring live chamber music to a wide range of audiences. These appearances provide meaningful performance experience for students while enriching community events and gatherings. Students have performed at local retirement communities, including Cook Valley Estates, community celebrations such as the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts and the Ada Farmers Market, and special events like the Trinity United Methodist Church benefit dinner. They have also appeared in outreach concerts at Alger Heights Church and Mayfair Church, as well as in pre-concert performances before Grand Rapids Symphony events. Through these volunteer performances, students learn the value of using music to connect with and serve their community. 🎻✨