Fall 2025 Electives

In addition to music theory and studio classes on Saturday afternoons, Opus 1 Prep students have access to a range of elective classes. Electives rotate each semester, with multiple classes meeting simultaneously to address a variety of interests.

Music Admissions Program (MAP)

Music Admissions Process (MAP) is a partnership elective between Aspire Music Company and the Opus 1 Preparatory Program for string musicians preparing for undergraduate and graduate college and conservatory applications and auditions. Led by Dawson White—violist and career coach whose students have gone on to major programs across the U.S. and internationally—MAP pairs high-level artistic preparation with clear planning for school selection, applications, auditions, and faculty outreach. Grounded in the collaborative values at the heart of chamber music, students leave with practical tools, a confident timeline, and stronger habits for connecting with mentors and peers.

Taught by Dawson White

Yoga for Musicians

This class is designed specifically for young music students to support both performance and well-being. Through breathwork, movement, and mindfulness, students will build body awareness, improve posture, and release tension. The class also introduces techniques to manage performance anxiety and cultivate a calm, resilient mindset—skills that translate directly to more confident and balanced musicianship.

Taught by Jaya Varma

Music Recording and Production

This class will focus on an array of topics in electronic music production, ranging from making music in digital audio workstations, to learning how to record audio for prescreenings. Students will also develop a deep understanding of the acoustic properties of sound, improving the understanding of how their instruments even make sound at all! Other topics will include synthesis, mixing, and mastering. The final project will culminate in a final composition that can being purely electronic or include live performance elements.

Taught by Paul Mortilla