2026 Baroque Workshop

The Baroque Workshop will feature both small and large ensemble instruction, private and group lessons, sight-reading and skill building classes, and baroque dance/movement sessions.

There are four main class periods a day: the morning sessions will emphasize technical instruction; while the afternoon classes will feature further musical exploration, sight-reading, and group practice for a Saturday evening performance.

Evening activities include jam sessions, special presentations, and faculty concerts.

Pitch for the workshop will be at A=415.

Click here to learn more about our faculty members!

Our faculty include some of the leading performers and teachers on their respective instruments:

Lindsey Strand-Polyak director and violin
Aki Nishigichi recorder, oboe
Rita Lilly voice
Erik Andersen cello, viola da gamba
Peter Sykes harpsichord, continuo
David Wilson violin, viola
Arthur Omura keyboard collaborator

Everyone! We welcome singers and instrumentalists of all kinds: all vocal types, strings (both violin and viol families), winds, brass, keyboardists and pluckers.

To the best of our ability, we will tailor your experience to your skill level and ability so that you will feel both comfortable and challenged.

Details TBA

Can’t make the whole week of the workshop? Join us for one night of musicking, laughter and libations with the SFEMS Baroque Workshop! Bring yourself, your voice OR your instrument to downtown Berkeley for one casual “play-in”—to the sanctuary of First Church Berkeley UCC (2345 Channing Way, entrance on Dana St.)

Join us for a celebratory opening night at the Baroque Workshop!

Repertoire and Guest Conductor TBA.

Music will be sent out beforehand for both singers and instrumentalists. All instruments and voice types welcome. Pitch will be A=415.

The participation cost will be $40.

If you have technical difficulties, contact workshop administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org.

N.B. This is already included for full-time registrants.

Workshop classes and events will be held at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley (FCCB) in the newly rebuilt community building.

BEVERLY CLEARY RESIDENCE HALL

Beverly Cleary Residence Hall (2424 Durant Ave., Berkeley), part of Unit 3 – a block of 4 dormitory towers plus Beverly Cleary Hall surrounding the Front Desk, gym, and Dining Hall called “Cafe 3”. Beverly Cleary Hall is a half a block from the church. Ground floor rooms are available, however availability is finite.

Beverly Cleary Hall includes:

• Utilities: High-speed Wi-Fi, gas, electric, water, garbage, recycling, and compost

• Furnishings: extra-long twin bed (triple rooms include a bunk bed & a lofted bed), desk, chair, dresser, mirror, and closet

• Bathrooms: one large all-gender bathroom per floor

• Microchill refrigerator and microwave combo

• Laundry center, mail services, and bike storage

• Fitness center and recreation room

• Smoke free environment

A housing reservation includes dining services from Sunday night (7/20) through Saturday morning (7/26) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is no reduction in price for late arrivals, early departures, or missed meals.

Beds are made prior to arrival with pillow, pillowcase, sheets, blanket, and bedspread. Two towels, a face cloth, and a bar of soap are provided. Bedrooms are not cleaned during your stay. Common areas are cleaned daily. Pillows, blankets, and bedspreads are available to exchange at each unit front desk if needed.

You'll be issued a card for the dining hall upon check-in along with your building fob and room key.

Check-in time is 3pm, and check-out time is 11am. We will have your keys at the check-in desk at the church on the first day. 

Housing costs are due upon workshop registration. 

HOUSING 

$1075 for singles

$925 for doubles – please contact the administrator with the name of your roommate, and we will send you this link. workshops@sfems.org

Questions? Email SFEMS Workshops Coordinator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org

OVERNIGHT PARKING:

Overnight Parking Lot Locations: Underhill/Ellsworth structures

Option #1: Pay at Yellow Kiosk every morning. All guests parking overnight will need to select the maximum number of hours, each day they plan on parking (It is strongly recommended that all guests pay first thing each morning to avoid receiving a citation) Your license plate and the code must be entered together or a citation will be issued. 

Guests should print their receipt or have a copy texted to themselves for their records

Option #2: PayByPhone App

Download the PayByPhone App from the App Store or Google Play

Enter the location number of where you have parked

For guests parking overnight, select the maximum number of hours and confirm your selection

Add more time to your parking session in-app from wherever you are without having to rush back to the kiosk.

Please be sure to follow all the instructions to avoid a parking citation from Cal Police. 

COMMUTER PARKING 

There are a number of public parking lots and facilities near campus and in downtown Berkeley. The list below includes municipal and privately owned parking lots and garages open to the public. Please consult signs for hours and fees prior to entering the facilities.

• Telegraph Channing Garage has hourly rates

• First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley has an underground garage

• There is a covered pay lot at 2315 Ellsworth between the Berkeley City Club and St. Mark’s Episcopal.

There is hourly street parking around our block. Street Parking Apps are Spot Hero and ParkMobile.

First Congregational Church has a lot that you enter from west-bound Channing. Spots there are not guaranteed. $10 per day.

UBER, LYFT, FRIENDS & FAMILY

App maps don’t have the address quite right. They will land you on either Durant Ave. or Channing, neither of which have a proper door to enter the spaces we use. All our entrances are on Dana between Durant and Channing.

COMMUTER MEALS

We are near a multitude of casual dining options for the commuter.

You may dine with the group at the Cal dining hall anytime. Just pay the cashier when you enter, as we will not have prepaid cards this year.

TUITION:
Full tuition for the Baroque Workshop is $920.

Receive an early bird discount of $50 by applying before March 31. SFEMS members in good standing at time of enrollment receive an member discount of $50. These discounts can be combined!

You don’t need to pay the full tuition upfront—secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit of $250.

All outstanding tuition must be paid by June 21; however, to receive the early bird discount, balances must be paid before March 31.

All full-time tuition will have an $80 facilities fee added at checkout.

Tuition (other than the $250 non-refundable deposit) is refundable before June 21.

June 21 is the deadline to register for the entire workshop. After June 21, the chamber music assignments will be set. To register part-time (without the chamber component), contact workshops@sfems.org.

SCHOLARSHIPS:
Tuition assistance is available through our scholarship and work study programs. Please contact administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org for more information.

ROOM & BOARD (see above for more information):
Single-occupancy room and board is $1075 (Monday night–Sunday morning).
Double-occupancy room and board is $925 (Monday night–Sunday morning) Please contact us with your planned roommate for this rate.

Room & board must be paid in full upon registration. Full housing refunds can be issued until May 16. May 16th is the last day to purchase housing.

No housing refunds will be issued after this date.

Registration for the Baroque Workshop closed two weeks before its start date. This is also the last day to withdraw and receive a tuition refund (minus the $250 non-refundable deposit).

If you have questions regarding registration or logistics, please contact administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org.

If you have questions about workshop programming, please contact workshop director Lindsey Strand-Polyak at baroqueworkshop@sfems.org.