NCS Fall Session 2026
North Coast Strings Fall Session 2026
September 15 – January 16, 2027
Scholarship Available
Fall 2026 Offerings
Fundamentals 1
Tuesdays, 4:00pm – 5:15pm
Designed for adults with little to no experience on violin, viola, cello, or bass, this class focuses on building foundational skills, including note reading and rhythm basics.
☆ Museum members receive a 10% discount.
Fundamentals 2
Tuesdays, 4:00pm – 5:15pm
For adults with some prior experience, this class continues skill development through playing accessible repertoire while strengthening technique and musicianship.
☆ Museum members receive a 10% discount.
Orchestra One
Tuesdays, 5:30pm – 6:45pm
Our intermediate-level ensemble, conducted by Alyze Dreiling, welcomes participants with several years of experience who can read music and play in multiple positions. The group explores repertoire written or arranged for this skill level, providing a supportive yet challenging environment.
☆ Museum members receive a 10% discount.
North Coast Strings Orchestra
Tuesdays, 7:00pm – 9:00pm (with 15-minute break)
The program’s most advanced ensemble, conducted by Alyze Dreiling and supported by professional section coaches—Andrea Altona (1st violin), Judy Coker (2nd violin), Jorge Soto (viola), Elizabeth Brown (cello), and Joe McNalley (bass)—performs original, unadapted repertoire at a high level of musicianship.
☆ Museum members receive a 10% discount.
About the Leadership
Alyze Dreiling
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Alyze Dreiling began her studies with master pedagogue Mischa Mischakoff, supported by the Detroit Symphony and the Music Study Club of Metropolitan Detroit. She earned a BM in Violin Performance from Indiana University, studying with the legendary Josef Gingold, and an MA in Orchestral Performance from United States International University. An award-winning conductor, accomplished violinist, and esteemed educator, Alyze leads the North Coast Strings Orchestra and inspires musicians of all ages through her artistry and leadership. For full biography, please visit: https://www.alyzedreiling.com/.
Andrea Altona
Andrea Altona earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Linda Cerone and James Stern. Afterward, she completed additional studies at the University of Iowa School of Music with Allen Ohmes and William Preucil. She also holds an M.B.A. from San Diego State University.
Andrea brings over 30 years of teaching experience, including Suzuki and Mark O’Connor training. Additionally, she has performed with the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera, New World Symphony, and Broadway tours. Her work also includes performances with James Taylor and Andrea Bocelli.
Judy Coker
Judith Coker earned a Master’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. Since then, she has played with the Calgary Philharmonic, the Mexico City Philharmonic, and the San Diego Symphony and Opera Orchestra.
As a distinguished violinist and educator, Judith brings passion and encouragement to her students. She teaches both beginning and advanced string players. Meanwhile, she performs extensively throughout North America and Mexico.
Jorge Soto
Jorge Soto has been actively involved with music performance and education in Southern California and Mexico since 2002. Concertmaster of the Orquesta de Baja California and a Henry Mancini Institute alumnus, he has performed with artists including Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, Roberta Flack, and Luciano Pavarotti. Jorge taught for eight years with the La Jolla Music Society’s outreach program and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education.
Elizabeth Brown
Elizabeth Brown holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Cello Performance from the Eastman School of Music. She has performed internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player.
For over a decade, Elizabeth served as principal cellist of the Orquesta Sinfónica de las Artes in Mexico. She has also appeared at major festivals including Aspen, Ojai, and AIMS in Austria. In San Diego, she performs regularly with the California Chamber Orchestra, The Classics Philharmonic, the Hutchins Consort, and Quartet Nouveau.
In addition to teaching privately, Elizabeth is the cello professor at the University of San Diego and Point Loma Nazarene University. Above all, she is committed to inspiring students at every level.
Joe McNalley
Joe McNalley is the founder and Artistic Director of the Hutchins Consort. He studied at some fancy places with some fancy people, and has played with other fancy people in spiffy spots. He has been writing music since the 1970s, and some of his music ended up in Emmy nominated and winning shows. Joe is also a luthier of low-to-middling talent, and a sailor who has not run aground, but expects to someday.