Southwest Washington Youth Symphony

06/19/2026

It’s time for our next round of staff bios! “Hi, I’m Chloe! I’m excited to return for my third year as camp nurse! A happy eighth-grade accident led me from piano to cello, and eventually to the SW WA Symphony where I’ve played joyfully since 2023. One of my favorite parts of camp is seeing the quiet pride on campers’ faces as they push through their doubts, master a tricky passage, and create music with newfound friends.

When I’m not playing cello, you might find me enjoying a cosmic crisp apple, volunteering with the school gardens, delighting in the small creatures of the world, or walking along the Cowlitz River, knitting in hand.“

06/18/2026

There are several emails being sent this week to families of registered students with important updates and information. Please double check your inboxes. 😊

06/13/2026

We’re back with another throw-back. Hi! My name is Jackson, and I am beyond excited to be joining the SWYSA Summer Camp as a coach for my 3rd year. I am one of the music teachers at Three Rivers Christian School, where I teach everything from Kindergarten Music up through High School Band. I grew up playing piano & percussion primarily, and was even a part of the Youth Symphony we had back in the day. I love getting to see students find their confidence through performance, and large ensemble work (like a symphony orchestra) is a great way to do that!

06/12/2026

What a great honor for one of our local programs! Congratulations!

Great News! For the first time in Longview School District history, two of our bands have been selected to perform at the annual Washington Music Education Association conference in Yakima. Congratulations to Mt. Solo Middle School's Advanced Band and R.A. Long's Wind Ensemble for being chosen. Both groups will perform alongside other top bands from across our state in February of 2027.

06/12/2026

Hello! I’m Lauren Cash! I first started playing violin at the age of six, added piano several years later, and have never stopped playing music since! I graduated with a degree in Music Ministry in 2018, and am a trained Suzuki violin instructor with over 10 years of teaching experience. I enjoy playing as Principal 2nd Violin with the SWWA Symphony, performing throughout the community, and passing on the joy of music to local students, teaching music both privately and at Journey Christian School. If I’m not playing music or teaching you might find me hiking, running, travelling, writing, or spending time with family and friends.

06/11/2026

Hi, I’m Judy Jones, and I am excited to coach students at Symphony Summer Camp for the fifth time this year. I started violin lessons when I was 8 years old, and though I also played piano through high school, I decided to focus on violin in college. I have also played a little guitar and ukulele. Currently, I really enjoy playing violin in the Southwest Washington Symphony—our concerts are fantastic! I believe that my strength as a musician is my drive to always do better and my problem-solving approach to practice. I am continuously working to improve intonation, to produce a sweeter and more resonant quality of sound, and to find more time to practice my violin. My favorite part of being a musician is connecting wordlessly with others, communicating concepts and emotions in ways that only music can. When not practicing violin or playing chamber music with friends, I enjoy reading and spending time outdoors.

06/11/2026

As we get closer to camp, let’s introduce ourselves! My name is Rachel Davis. Check out this photo of me as an awkward teenage musician! I am pleased to be directing my 5th year of Summer Camp. When I’m not working with SWYSA, I teach at Three Rivers Christian School, I’m the lower strings Adjunct at Lower Columbia College, and I teach privately. When I’m not teaching I love spending time with my husband and my kids. We just started a family D&D campaign!

05/23/2026

1 month until camp! Can you believe it?! You can still register online at the link in the bio. Don’t miss out on the chance to expand your Horizons!

05/18/2026

The early registration deadline may have passed but there is still time to sign up for your spot. Once again, we are on track for a record breaking year of attendance. Don’t miss out on a memorable week of music! https://forms.gle/ktzYAe1NQvSoBd279

04/20/2026

Students from the Suzuki Strings class provided a pre-concert to the final concert of the season. They did such a great job!