Children in the Sedona area with an interest in string music have had the opportunity to grow their musical skills this week thanks to a summer music camp at Sedona Charter School.

The camp, hosted by Sedona Charter School strings director Kristina Beachell with help from fellow instructors Kari Barton of Flagstaff and Sedona Red Rock High School music teacher Courtney Yeates, started on Monday, July 28, and finishes Friday, Aug. 1, with 30 students of varying skill levels enrolled.

This is the second year for Beachell’s camp, which is part of her plan to grow the strings program at the school.

“Last summer I hosted the first Sedona Charter School musical strings camp,” Beachell said. “Over the last three years I have been working to build a quality strings program at Sedona Charter School and I wanted to extend that experience into the summer and open up an opportunity for other children in the community who don’t have orchestra programs in their schools.”

Part of the appeal of the camp is allowing students to improve their musicianship together.

“I wanted to provide an environment where students could be truly immersed in intensive musical study and develop a true relationship and love for their instruments, all the while honing their skills among peers who share the same passion,” she said. “Thirty students are enrolled ranging in age from kindergarten through high school, beginners to advanced on violin, cello and bass.”

To read the full story, see the Friday, Aug. 1, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.