
The Orchestra Project
Offering the only symphonic orchestra for youth in Northern New Mexico!
With five dynamic ensembles and a beginner class, our Orchestra Project gives young string players of all levels a place to grow, shine, and perform. From first-time musicians to advanced symphony members, each student develops skills and confidence through ensemble learning.

Elementary Violin Class
A fun and engaging introduction to violin for students in grades K-3. No audition or prior experience needed.
Instructor: Esther Delamater
Cost: $500
Day/Time: Tuesdays | 4:30-5:15 PM
Location: Carlos Gilbert Elementary
300 Griffin Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Running Start Beginning Orchestra
Violin, Viola, Cello class for students in 3rd grade and up with little or no prior experience. No audition required.
Instructor: Zach Vigus
Cost: $500
Day/Time: Thursdays | 5:30-6:45 PM
Location: Carlos Gilbert Elementary
300 Griffin Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Prelude String Orchestra
A first orchestral experience for beginner string players to build ensemble skills.
Instructor: Zach Vigus
Cost: $625
Day/Time: Tuesdays | 5:30-7 PM
Location: Carlos Gilbert Elementary
300 Griffin Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Intermezzo String Orchestra
Intermediate string orchestra for students with a few years of experience on their instrument.
Instructor: Lee Harvey
Cost: $625
Day/Time: Thursdays | 5:30-7 PM
Location: NM School for the Arts
500 Montezuma Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
A full orchestral experience for intermediate level string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players.
Instructor: Deanna Teague
Cost: $750
Day/Time: Sundays | 4:15-6:30 PM
Call time: 4 PM
Location: Santa Fe High School
2100 Yucca Street
Santa Fe, NM 87507

Youth Symphony Orchestra
Our most advanced orchestra is for experienced string, woodwing, brass, and percussion players who are ready for complex repertoire.
Instructor: William Waag
Cost: $750
Day/Time: Sundays | 4:30-6:45 PM
Call time: 4 PM
Location: Santa Fe High School
2100 Yucca Street
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Meet the Orchestra Project Instructors

Joseph Alcocer
String Specialist
Bio Coming Soon!

Esther Delamater
Elementary Strings
Bio Coming Soon!

Zach Vigus
Running Start Beginning Orchestra & Prelude String Orchestra
Zachary Vigus earned a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master of Music in Cello Performance from California State University in Sacramento. He began private studies after hearing a life-changing performance of the Rachmaninov Cello Sonata’s slow movement. Zach is currently the orchestra director at Capital High School and Ortiz Middle School for the Santa Fe Public Schools, where he enjoys teaching string students from beginners to All-State. As a private studio teacher, Zach’s students have won music scholarships, seats in All-State Orchestras, spots in university music programs, and pre-college spots with prominent conservatory programs.

Lee Harvey
Intermezzo String Orchestra
Lee Harvey is a violinist and music educator based in Santa Fe. She received her classical training from New England Conservatory, Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, and University of Colorado, College of Music. Lee teaches, coaches, and conducts students in private lessons, string orchestras and chamber groups. In the summer of 2019, she brought a group of students to South Korea to participate in a “Global Youth Concert.” Lee hopes to ignite the joy of playing an instrument in all of her students, as she believes that being able to play music together makes the world a better place.

Deanna Teague
Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
Bio Coming Soon!

William Waag
Youth Symphony Orchestra
William Waag is a passionate conductor and music educator in northern New Mexico and has led the Santa Fe Youth Symphony since 2014. He is the Santa Fe Symphony’s Associate Artistic Director of Youth Programs, and is also the Principal Conductor of the Santa Fe Community Orchestra and the Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his roles with local ensembles, William is a frequent guest conductor and clinician across the nation.
As a guest conductor, William has lead the Santa Fe Symphony, the Albuquerque Philharmonic, Seattle Rock Orchestra, Santa Fe Community Orchestra, Los Alamos Symphony, Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra, El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra, Albuquerque Youth Symphony, and All-Region Honor Orchestras in Texas, Alabama, and New Mexico.
William has held a variety of conducting and teaching positions at elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges, public and private institutions, and four states across the western United States. He has led wind and jazz ensembles, symphony orchestras, drumlines, classes in music education, music theory, music for students with special needs, and pre-school music. Above all, William’s deepest passion is for conducting youth symphonies and leading young musicians’ exploration of the symphonic world. Previously with youth orchestras in Washington and Alaska, William is elated to be leading both youth and adult symphonies in New Mexico.
William received a MM in Orchestral Conducting from Central Washington University, and a BM in Music Education from Boise State University. Originally from Boise, he lived in Washington state and Alaska before moving to Santa Fe. A Pacific-Northwesterner at heart, William loves exploring and climbing mountains in all seasons and traveling the highways slowly in his 1972 Volkswagen bus.








