Strings
String Instrument Lessons & Classes at MacPhail
MacPhail provides instruction in Violin, Viola, Cello, Harp, Double Bass, Fiddle, and Gayageum through individual lessons, group classes, ensembles, and orchestras.
Founded in 1907 as a violin school, MacPhail takes pride in our nationally recognized string programs. Instruction is available for all ages and all skill levels.
Ready to start learning? Find the option that’s right for you.
Individual Lessons
MacPhail provides music lessons and classes for 30+ instruments and voice. Offering piano, guitar, percussion, strings, and brass lessons in Minnesota or online.
Group Classes
Your musical journey doesn’t have to be a solo act. Learn, play, and grow – together. There’s power in making music as a group.
Suzuki Talent Education
Nurture a Mind for a Lifetime The Suzuki method transforms learning through a collaboration of parent, child, and teacher. MacPhail’s Suzuki program offers lessons on piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, …
Opportunities to enhance your experience at MacPhail:
Summer Camps
Your soundtrack to summer starts here! From first notes to bold new musical goals, MacPhail Camps offer something for every young musician.
Crescendo for Piano
Enrichment Opportunity for Individual Instruction and Suzuki Talent Education Piano Students Italian for “growing,” Crescendo encourages and promotes students’ growth at all stages of musical development. The program aims to …
Ensembles & Choirs
Take the stage with MacPhail Ensembles & Choirs. Perform, connect, and thrive through music. There’s nothing like the energy of live performance.
Music Production & Technology (EMRA)
Discover your unique sound. Explore the art and craft of music production in MacPhail’s professional studios.
Madeline Island Chamber Music
Madeline Island Chamber Music educates and nurtures the next generation of musicians in a breathtaking setting. Since 1985, Madeline Island Chamber Music (MICM) has grown from a one-week camp for …
MacPhail Northside Youth Orchestra (MNYO)
A Tuition-free Symphonic Orchestra Program in North Minneapolis. We believe in the transformational power of music and strive to create a welcoming space that encourages musical growth and development.
Candide Quartet
The Candide Quartet, formed in 2023, is comprised of Juilliard undergraduate violinists Chili Ekman and Henry Rogers, violist Pearl de la Motte, and cellist Vanny Hu. Undergoing their second full year as a quartet, the group is committed to exploring the chamber music repertoire, gaining performing experience, and learning from the artistry of past generations. Having a shared love for Candide and Voltaire’s philosophies, the group embodies the sentiments of appreciation for the camaraderie and dedication that they feel are inherent in the novel and string quartet playing.
“To me, music is like food. It nourishes me. I need to have at least 5 meals a day. I’m a musician because I really like to ‘eat’. Teaching comes naturally to me because sharing food, I mean music, brings me tremendous joy. Seeing the lightbulbs sparkle in my students’ eyes makes teaching extremely enjoyable. My students learn a lot about music through laughter, in my opinion, it’s the best way to learn!”
Chi-Chi Bestmann, MacPhail String Teaching Artist
Meet Our Strings Faculty
Susan Crawford
Claire Miller
Mark Bjork
Recent String Events & Performances at MacPhail
Chamber Music Recital
Adult Student Soiree
Composition Recital
Lesson & Class Offerings
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Musical Bridges Instrument Sampler (6-8yr) – FALL Semester
Is your child a budding musician that has not yet chosen an instrument? Musical Bridges provides children the opportunity to try out multiple instruments to help them find a great...
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Summer Strings Bootcamp: June 29-July 2
Immerse yourself in the world of string music at Summer Strings Boot Camp, a week-long camp designed for youth string players — violin, viola, and cello — in grades 4...
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Strings Camp – Austin: July 20-24
For students ages 8-19 with at least 1 year of playing experience, this is an exciting opportunity for students to come together to sharpen their skills while exploring new areas...
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String Chamber Music Orchestra Camp: August 10-14
Join us at String Chamber Music Orchestra Camp, a week-long program designed for string students ages 12-19 who are passionate about playing in both small ensembles and large string orchestra...
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Sartory String Quartet Institute: July 6-10
Join us for the 2026 Sartory String Quartet Institute! Students at this 5-day Institute are placed in chamber ensembles with other students of similar age and proficiency. All ensembles receive...
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Jazz Camp: July 20-24
Dive into jazz at our week-long summer camp for high school students at MacPhail Center for Music! This exciting program offers an immersive experience for aspiring jazz musicians of all...
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Introductory Chamber Camp for Adults: July 6-8
Open to adult String, Woodwind, Piano, Harpsichord, Harp, Classical Guitar, French Horn, and Trumpet Discover the joy of playing music with others at Introductory Chamber Camp for Adults, a supportive...
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Adult Chamber Music Camp: July 6-15
Open to adult String, Woodwind, Piano, Harpsichord, Harp, Classical Guitar, French Horn, and Trumpet Elevate your musical journey at the Adult Chamber Music Camp, a two-week-long workshop that meets 3...
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Youth Cello Choir – SUMMER
What’s more beautiful than the sound of a cello? How about a dozen cellos! Add your “voice” to the Cello Choir, an ensemble exploring repertoire written and arranged for cellos...
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Violin Lessons – Minneapolis
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Violin Lessons – ONLINE
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Violin Lessons – Chanhassen
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Violin Lessons – Austin
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Viola Lessons – Chanhassen
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Viola Lessons – Minneapolis
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Viola Lessons – ONLINE
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Violin Lessons – Apple Valley
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Viola Lessons – Apple Valley
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Viola Lessons – Austin
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Summer Suzuki Lessons – Minneapolis
The Suzuki Approach The Suzuki approach to music education is based on the belief that young children can learn to play a musical instrument the same way they learn to...
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Summer Suzuki Lessons – ONLINE
The Suzuki Approach The Suzuki approach to music education is based on the belief that young children can learn to play a musical instrument the same way they learn to...
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Summer Suzuki Lessons – Chanhassen
The Suzuki Approach The Suzuki approach to music education is based on the belief that young children can learn to play a musical instrument the same way they learn to...
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Summer Suzuki Lessons – Apple Valley
The Suzuki Approach The Suzuki approach to music education is based on the belief that young children can learn to play a musical instrument the same way they learn to...
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New Horizons Adult Cello Choir – SUMMER
What’s more beautiful than the sound of a cello? How about a dozen cellos! Add your “voice” to the Cello Choir, an ensemble exploring repertoire written and arranged for cellos...
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Harp Lessons – ONLINE
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Harp Lessons – Minneapolis
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Harp Lessons – Austin
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Gayageum Lessons – Minneapolis
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Don’t Fret, Jam! – Guitar, Bass, Uke, Mandolin – Chanhassen
Low-stress group session for guitarists, bass, ukulele, or mandolin players looking to gain comfort playing and improvising with others.
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Double Bass Lessons – Austin
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Double Bass Lessons – Minneapolis
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Double Bass Lessons – ONLINE
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Crescendo for Strings – Summer Session
Crescendo, Italian for “growing,” encourages and promotes students’ growth at all stages of musical development. The program aims to develop well-rounded musicians, reward students’ progress and set benchmarks for the...
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Chamber Music Duos – SUMMER
Make playing an instrument even more exciting and enjoyable by joining one of MacPhail’s chamber music groups! Students are placed into small ensembles based on age and playing level and...
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Chamber Music Trios, Quartets, Quintets – SUMMER
Make playing an instrument even more exciting and enjoyable by joining one of MacPhail’s chamber music groups! Students are placed into small ensembles based on age and playing level and...
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Cello Lessons – ONLINE
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Cello Lessons – Minneapolis
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Cello Lessons – Chanhassen
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Cello Lessons – Austin
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Cello Lessons – Apple Valley
About Individual Lessons at MacPhail Our outstanding faculty is equipped to teach beginning through advanced music lessons. At all levels, the music lessons are student-centered to develop personalized musical and...
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Adult Jazz Combos – Minneapolis – SUMMER
Jazz is a uniquely American art form that is treasured around the world. Jazz is spontaneous and fun; it expands the imagination and sharpens the mind. The positive environment of...