2026 Classical Workshop

On four of the five full instruction days, participants will be assigned to a quartet or other ensemble with whom they will play in coached and uncoached sessions. Each evening, the groups will perform the day’s piece in front of the whole workshop.

Wednesday will feature an all-day all-workshop orchestra.

Sunday, August 2nd, check-in, faculty recital in Sanctuary 5:30 pm–7:00 pm
M–F day classes at First Church Berkeley’s new community building 9:00 am–5:00 pm
M–F evening session in Sanctuary 5:30–7:00 pm
Saturday morning at First Church’s Loper Chapel

Click here to learn more about our faculty members!

Our faculty features members of The New Esterházy Quartet, one of the country’s leading period-instrument string quartets.

Kati Kyme director and violin
William Skeen director and cello
Anthony Martin viola
Cynthia Black violin

All string players interested in learning more about Classical-era repertoire and historically informed performance are welcome!

Some proficiency with sight-reading is recommended. 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.

We’ll be hosting the Classical Workshop again on the grounds of the First Church Berkeley UCC (First Congregational), Berkeley, CA at 2345 Channing Way.

Participants are responsible for their own housing.

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’s lot has an entrance you can access 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.

TUITION:
Full tuition for the Classical Workshop is $900.

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!

Early Bird Member: $800

Early Bird Non-Member: $850

After March 31st

Regular Member: $850

Regular Non-Member: $900

Early Bird and Membership discounts apply to full tuition only.

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 July 13; however, to receive the early bird discount, balances must be paid before March 31.

Tuition (other than the $250 non-refundable deposit) is refundable before July 13.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Tuition assistance is available through our scholarship and work study programs. Please contact administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org for more information or fill out this preliminary form to introduce yourself.

CANCELLATION

2 weeks before the start date of a given workshop is the Last day to withdraw and receive a full refund on tuition minus the $250 deposit.

If circumstances force you to withdraw in the two week window before the workshop, we can defer your tuition to the following year.

If you have questions, please contact SFEMS administrator Stacey Helley at workshops@sfems.org.