>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

ENTERPRISE —

Music workshops for kids will begin Jan. 7.

The Musical Expressions for Youth program will be presented by the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance every Friday at The Woodshed, 705 S. River Street in Enterprise.

The first program, "Introduction to the Orchestra," will be taught by Lisa Robertson, formerly a member of State Theater Orchestra of Mainz, Germany, and the Mainz String Quartet, and currently an artist in residence at Eastern Oregon University and a violinist with the Columbia Trio. She is also the founder and director of the Wallowa Lake Chamber Music Festival.

The focus will be on learning the first skills necessary for young string players — violin, viola, cello and bass. Some note reading will be helpful.

In February, the subject will be songwriting, taught by Janis Carper, whose work was praised in Nashville's Performing Songwriter magazine. She will guide students through the creative process as they learn the basics of popular songwriting. Note reading is not necessary for this class, but some musical skills are helpful.

Kids of all ages are encouraged to register for the four-week programs. The cost is $15; family discounts are available. The one-hour classes will begin at 1 p.m. in January, and at 10 a.m. in February.

To register or for information contact WVMA at 541-426-3390 or www.wvmusicalliance.org .