String Academy 1

• STEP 1: Click the “REGISTER” BUTTON above for your preferred session
  Registration is easiest from a desktop; Google Chrome or Firefox are suggested. If the button isn’t working, you can also click the ‘create an account’ link below.
  • You’ll be asked to create an account. You’ll add your [Parent/Guardian] information here.
  • Next, add your Student:
    • Menu > People > ‘Add a person’ > Follow the prompts to add
      Make sure to use your Student’s LEGAL first & last name’s in those fields.
  • You’re ready for STEP 2!

• STEP 1: Click the “REGISTER” BUTTON above for your preferred session
  You will be prompted to log in to your account. 
  Make sure to log in using the same email as you used for last year’s registration.
  TIP #1: If you’re prompted to create a new account, STOP! (You’ll be creating a duplicated account.) Please check your login details. If you need assistance, please email the office.
  TIP #2: If a different parent/guardian (#2) wishes to register the student than the parent/guardian (#1) who previously created an account:
  • Parent/Guardian #1 should:
    • Log In
    • Go to: Menu > People > ‘Add a person’ > Follow the prompts to add Parent/Guardian #2
    • Once added, select the name > scroll to the very bottom & click “Invite to join family account”
  • An invitation will be sent to #2. If #2 does not already have an account, they’ll be prompted to create one. The new account will give #2 a separate login & card on file, and allow both #1 & #2 access to view registered activities.
  • Please DO NOT create a new parent/guardian account for a student already in our system without going through the process above – this will create duplicate students!
  • Once Parent/Guardian #2 has completed account setup, that person will be able to go to Step 2.

• Make sure to review program information before proceeding. When ready, click the purple “Register” button.
• In the pop-up window, click  next to the correct student.
• Choose your payment option:
  • Pay In Full: Pay full tuition at checkout.
  • Installments: 3 payments (on the 15th of the month, in Oct/Nov/Dec).
    **If you are applying for Financial Aid, you MUST CHOOSE THIS OPTION
• You will be prompted to add one of three ‘activities’ to indicate whether or not you need an Instrument Rental.Please add ONLY 1 of the 3 options below to indicate if your student:
  • (1) Will be continuing a current Instrument Rental,
         Select this option if you have a current Rental. It will replace your current Agreement/Fee.
  • (2) Needs a new Instrument Rental,
    — OR —
  • (3) Does not need an instrument rental (owns/rents elsewhere/needs an instrument type ESYO does not rent)
    If you choose either Option (1) or (2), the amount shown will be the season total, but it will bill as $15.00/month. Make sure to SELECT THE INSTALLMENT OPTION!
  • In the same window, you will also be prompted to add the Registration Fee (and Late Registration Fee, if registering September 26 – October 2) to your cart.

• Review account information
• Review/enter any required student & instrument rental details,  (including the agreement)
  Make sure the student’s LEGAL first & last name are entered in the “First Name” and “Last Name” fields; nicknames/preferred names should be entered in that field
  Note: You may see information regarding the instrument rental before the registration details due to a software glitch the technical support team is working to address.
• Proceed to make your secure payment to finalize the registration
• Make sure to select the “Save card to this account” option – all active students must have a current, active card on file
  This can be changed at any time by going Menu > Wallet > Replace.

Is ESYO a program offered through the school?

Though ESYO is a nonprofit organization and a separate entity from the schools, our strong partnership with the Eugene 4J school district enables us to offer this program.

What students are eligible for the String Academy 1 Program?

Currently, registration is open to:

• 3rd, 4th, & 5th-grade students attending a Eugene 4J or Bethel school
• Home-schooled students

Due to limited space, we hope to expand eligibility to students from other schools and districts if capacity allows.

Are there any prerequisites for my student to participate?

None! Interest in playing a stringed instrument is all the prerequisite needed!
Students joining SA1 classes are typically true beginning students who have never played a stringed instrument previously.

How can I help my student succeed in SA1?

We encourage you to be actively involved with your student’s musical journey, asking them to show you the skills they’re learning in class, regularly playing the recordings Instructors provide for students, and providing consistency through class attendance and home practice.

Know that learning to play a musical instrument is a rewarding challenge which will require your support and encouragement. While we know it can be difficult to hear your student express frustration with the learning process, rest assured that even professional musicians started at the very beginning and felt all the same things your student is feeling. Growth comes through the small discomforts of not knowing and continuing to learn. Make sure to celebrate achievements big and small along the way!

How else can I be involved in my student’s SA1 experience?

ESYO is a nonprofit organization, and volunteers are play a vital role in supporting our student musicians. We have many opportunities throughout the year for you to get involved and use your skills and talents to support our music education programs and make this season an even bigger success!

How much does the SA1 Program cost for the 2026-27 Season?

The total cost is composed of 2 parts: Tuition and the Registration Fee. For the 2026-27 Season:

String Academy 1 Tuition = $300.00
Registration Fee = $50.00
TOTAL COST = $350.00

If registering late, an additional $25.00 Late Registration Fee is added to the total cost. (See “Late Registration” above.)

Tuition includes both a music book and a String Academy 1 youth t-shirt which are your Student’s to keep. The ESYO Tee will be worn for concerts – you’ll be asked during registration what size your student will need. Please make sure to allow room for growth throughout the year – we do not typically purchase extras!

How often does my student attend? What is the schedule?

The String Academy 1 Program is structured around twice weekly classes, taught before or after school. Students need to attend both classes each week.

Depending upon the session you choose (based upon the location), the classes may be just prior to school, just after school, or a combination of both. Make sure to read your session’s information carefully as each session has a different schedule.

What are the steps in the registration process?

Registration is a 3-part process:

1. Registration/Payment. Create your account, add the session to the cart, complete any information needed and review/sign agreements, then check out.
2. Pre-Season Questionnaire. A questionnaire will be sent to the Parent/Guardian after registration, and should be completed before the parent meeting.
3. Parent Meeting. At least one Parent/Guardian is required to attend the Season Kickoff Meeting. (See your payment receipt for time/date/location details.)

What is the Registration Deadline?

The regular deadline to register for String Academy 1 (with a discounted registration fee of $75.00) is:

Registration Deadline: September 25, 2026 (11:45 PM)
Total Cost if registered by deadline = $350.00 (per student)

Can I register my student late?

Yes – the latest you can add a student is the Late Registration Deadline. Students registered after the regular registration deadine and by the late registration deadline will owe an additional $50.00 Late Registration Fee.

Late Registration Deadline: October 2, 2026 (11:45 PM)
Total Cost if registered late = $375.00 (per student)

What is the Registration Fee, and how much does it cost?

A $50.00 non-refundable Registration Fee is required at the time of registration to secure your student’s place in the program. This amount is separate from Tuition, but is included in the “Total Cost” amounts listed above.

Late Registration Fee: Space permitting, students enrolling after the standard registration deadline/by the Late Registration Deadline will be charged an additional $25.00 non-refundable Late Registration Fee. The Late Registration Deadline is the last date a student may join a class.

Does ESYO offer Financial Aid?

Yes! ESYO is committed to making music accessible, and encourages all families experiencing higher-than-usual pressures or burdens to submit an application if they’d like to participate in the current season. Awards are based on federal income guidelines, and String Academy 1 students have access to both Tuition and Instrument Rental Assistance through Financial Aid.

*Tuition Assistance: Awards are applied only to future tuition payments, and cannot be applied to Registration Fees. Please:

1. Create an account (if you have not already) and add your student
2. [Optional] Add the Ensemble Tuition to your cart (make sure to select the ‘Installments’ payment option), and pay Registration Fee upon check out
3. Apply for Tuition Assistance

Awards will be announced on a rolling basis, with applications considered in the order they are received. Assistance will be awarded to qualified applicants as long as funds are available. Applicants may expect a decision within 2 weeks of their application.

How big are the SA1 classes?

Each class requires a minimum of 12 students to be registered in order for the class to be held. As a general rule, classes are capped at 20 students so that Instructors are able to provide an appropriate level of interaction with students. Occasionally, the physical space in the room will lower the registration cap for a class. We encourage families to register early (and to remind interested friends to do the same!) so that you don’t miss out on the opportunity to join!

The session I’m interested in only has a ‘wait list’ option. Now what?

If a session has filled, you’ll see the option to add your student to the wait list. Waitlisted families will be contacted on or before the Late Registration Deadline, in the order in which they waitlist, if space becomes available. If/when a spot becomes available, the space will be held for the notified family for 1 business day before being released and offered to the next family on the waitlist.

What happens if there aren’t enough students registered to meet the minimum?

Occasionally, a session may be on the cusp of – but not have met – the minimum registration requirements at the Registration Deadline. ESYO reserves the right to delay the start date by a week to allow the session to meet the minimum.

On the rare occasion a registration minimum is not met, the session will be cancelled, and any registered students will be refunded in full.

Does my student need to rent an instrument for this program?

Every String Academy 1 student needs an instrument for participation in an SA1 session; instruments are not included with tuition fees. Most families choose to rent through ESYO’s low-cost Instrument Rental Program. (See more information in “Instrument Rental”)

Does my student need to rent an instrument for this program?

Students who are enrolled in an ensemble for the current ESYO Season are eligible for participation in ESYO’s low-cost Instrument Rental Program, which allows students to play an instrument without committing to a purchase. During registration, each registrant will indicate whether a new instrument rental is needed (the most common option for SA1 students), no instrument is needed (for those who already own or are renting elsewhere), or the student is continuing an instrument rental (for any student who might be joining SA1 and is already renting through the Instrument Rental Program).

During the instrument introduction in class, Instructors assesses students to determine for type and size of instrument preferred, ensuring a good match between instrument and body mechanics/proportions for each student as well as an overall balance of instruments within each class. Once the Instructor determines the best fit, the Instructor compiles the matched information and conveys it back to the Instrument Coordinator, who prepares instruments for allo students in the session. Instruments are then distributed to all students in the session at once, and the pro-rated Rental Fee & Rental Deposit will be charged at that time.

How will I know when it’s time for my student to move to the next size up?

Instruments played by students (especially at the SA1 level) are most often an incremental size, depending on the student – 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4. Both when assigning sizes, and as students continue to play/grow, Instructors continuously evaluate students to ensure there is a good match between the body proportions of each student, and the accompanying angles/body mechanics which impact playing ability. Sizing instruments appropriately is both art and science, and you can rely on the skill and experience of your Instructor to find a good fit. If you have questions, please feel free to ask.

In the event a musician starts to outgrow the current instrument, it is, somewhat counterintuitively, generally a good idea to be slow to size up. In other words, it’s better to err on the side of slightly-too-small than too large.

This is related to the body mechanics of correct hold, posture, finger placement, etc. As students are developing all of the fine motor skills and muscles that support them, having to stretch too far to hold/play an instrument can be uncomfortable or strenuous, which takes the focus from learning correct technique. It also forces the body out of alignment, and can accidentally train incorrect muscle memory or poor form when the student attempts to maintain correct technique, and must stretch to do so.

What happens if I need to drop my student off earlier/pick up later than stated class times?

ESYO does not provide childcare before/after classes, nor transportation to other activities, and students are expected to be dropped off/picked up promptly. Families are responsible for making arrangements when additional care is needed – many schools offer extended care options/programming.

We understand that extenuating circumstances occasionally happen, and provide a 5-minute ‘grace’ period before and after classes. Families who are more than 5 minutes early dropping off or late picking up will be assessed a $25.00 extended time fee for every 10 additional minutes early dropping off or late picking up.
Ex: 15 minutes early/late = $25.00 extended time fee
25 minutes early/late = $50.00 extended time fee
35 minutes early/late = #75.00 extended time fee, etc.

Families are also given two (2) 10-minute extension waivers per season, per ensemble/session. For the 3rd and any subsequent time extensions, families will be charged at the rates above. However, in the event ESYO Staff feel this extended time fee is being misused, ESYO may discontinue the extended time option and/or remove your student from the ensemble/session. In the event of removal, tuition is ineligible for refund.

Can someone other than a Parent/Guardian pick up the student?

If someone other than Parent/Guardian #1 or #2 will be picking up your student, please make sure you’ve completed the ‘password’ field during registration, and that the password is known both to your student and the adult individual picking up. Please EMAIL your Instructor at least 1 business day in advance with the name and cell phone number of the adult picking up – that individual must provide a government-issued photo ID in order for us to release your student to that person.

What comes after String Academy 1? How will I know when my student is ready?

Most students who have completed a full season of String Academy 1 are ready for the step up in challenge of String Academy 2!

If you have questions or concerns about your musician’s readiness for String Academy 2, please connect with your SA1 Instructor to discuss the best steps for your student.