Our Mission

Launched in 2012, Chamber Music | OC has established itself as one of the most dynamic classical music organizations in the country dedicated to advancing the art of chamber music through performance, education, and community engagement.

The Performance Division of Chamber Music | OC is designed to provide residents of the greater Orange County area with world-class chamber music performances presented by rising stars and established veterans in the classical music world. Distinguished guest artists have included the Argus Quartet; Colin Carr, cello; Yuri Cho, violin; Paul Coletti, viola; Robert deMaine, cello; Glenn Dicterow, violin; Karen Dreyfus, viola; Eugene Drucker, violin; Grace Fong, piano; Philippe Graffin, violin; the Jupiter String Quartet; Alan Kay, clarinet; Kyung Sun Lee, violin; the Lyris Quartet; Julian Martin, piano; Robert McDonald, piano; David Samuel, viola; Philip Setzer, violin; Trio Céleste; Ben Ullery, viola; and William VerMeulen, horn. In 2017, the organization presented their sold-out Carnegie Hall Debut at Zankel Hall featuring the world premiere of a new work by composer Paul Dooley.

The Education Division of Chamber Music | OC is anchored by the Pre-College Program (formerly the Young Artist Program). The program provides a unique and comprehensive musical education that features chamber music coachings and performance classes, musicianship, composition, ear training, career development and college preparation, participation in distinguished guest artist master classes, community outreach performances, and the Rising Stars Recital Series. Select members and alumni from the Program appeared in Carnegie Hall in April 2017, and have since gone on to pursue their studies at the Eastman School of Music, The Juilliard School, Northwestern University, the Peabody Institute of Music, Princeton University, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and Stanford University, among others.

The Community Engagement Division of Chamber Music | OC aspires to make the benefits of music widely accessible through collaborations with local schools and community organizations. The program offers a range of single- and multi- session workshops and performances designed to give participants the opportunity to enjoy and learn about how music can positively affect their well-being. Partnering organizations include the Irvine Adult Day Health Services, Human Options, Laguna Beach Live!, Laguna Beach Seniors at the Susi Q, Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts, Orange County Children’s Therapeutic Art Center, Rejoice Center, Santa Ana High School, and University Synagogue in Irvine.