Tuition and Scholarships

TYSA understands and appreciates that supporting a student’s music education involves a substantial financial commitment of their parents/guardians. Scholarships are available with awards based on financial need.

2023-2024 Tuition

Tuition rates for the 2024–2025 season will be posted soon.
Tacoma Youth Symphony

$1,385 total
$515 deposit due on 9/1
$1,335 total if paid in full by 9/25

Tacoma Junior Youth Symphony

$1,260 total
$390 deposit due on 9/1
$1,210 total if paid in full by 9/25

Tacoma String Philharmonic

$1,115 total
$245 deposit due on 9/1
$1,065 total if paid in full by 9/25

Tacoma Wind Philharmonic

$1,080 total
$210 deposit due on 9/1
$1,030 total if paid in full by 9/25

Tacoma String Symphony

$1,080 total
$210 deposit due on 9/1
$1,030 total if paid in full by 9/25

Automatic monthly tuition payment plans with deposit are due by 9/1, with $145 payments due the 1st of each month from October 1st through February 1st. The March 1st payment is adjusted to balance. 

Tuition is prorated if a student joins mid-season.

Sibling Discount

If families have multiple children enrolled at TYSA, sibling discounts are applied to tuition as follows:

2 children$75 discount
3 children$125 discount
4 children$150 discount

Scholarships and Financial Aid

General Scholarship Application

Please click on the TYSA Scholarship Application button below to apply for need-based scholarships. General scholarships are based upon family size, income, and financial need. Applications are due on September 15th each year.

The Ben Faigin Scholarship Fund

About Ben

Benjamin Faigin, a gifted and passionate musician, left this world too young. Ben began his classical training in cello at age 9, and later expanded his repertoire to guitar (electric and acoustic) and piano. Ben was constantly experimenting with sound, and explored improvisation, composition, and music theory, as well as synthesizer music creation.

The Ben Faigin Musical Opportunity Fund has been established by his family and friends to provide young musicians, like Ben, with scholarship support for classical music training.

Scholarship Guidelines

The Ben Faigin Scholarship Fund will provide full tuition support for racially-underrepresented young musicians from low income families who competitively apply for a TYSA scholarship, who show need and promise, and who live in the greater Tacoma area. This scholarship may be awarded to the same (or to a different) applicant each year. For the 2023-2024 season, seven of these scholarships are available.

To apply for this scholarship, please submit the following:

  1. Please write and submit a short essay describing how this scholarship will impact you.
  2. Please record and submit a short video sample of your playing.
  3. Fill out and return the TYSA Scholarship Application (please see the link above). 

All scholarship applications should be sent to operations@tysamusic.org by September 15th.​

The Ethan Forest Houser Memorial Scholarship

FOR SESSION 2 OF THE EVERGREEN MUSIC FESTIVAL

About Ethan

Ethan was a talented musician who was able to develop his skill and musical expression with the clarinet significantly during his time spent with the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association. The summer he attended the Evergreen Musical Festival at CWU was particularly challenging and rewarding.  This experience gave him the opportunity to really grow and shine as a musician, and it was one of many meaningful accomplishments in his life.

Ethan’s compassion for others, his creative expression, his sensitivity, and ardent support for the ethical treatment of animals are just a few of the many hallmarks of his life. His time here was all too short, and Ethan is loved and missed by family and friends.

Scholarship Guidelines

This scholarship provides full tuition for one TYSA student to attend the Evergreen Music Festival, Session 2 summer camp at Central Washington University. This scholarship will be awarded to a different applicant each year for those students demonstrating financial need and a strong desire to elevate their skill and musical expression to the next level. Preference may be given to a young musician who is studying the clarinet or cello. However, any student with financial need and a strong desire to attend Session 2 of EMF is encouraged to apply.

To apply for this scholarship, please submit the following:

  1. A short essay sharing how you hope to learn and grow as a musician by participating in this musical immersion experience, and what aspirations you have to continue your musical growth in the future.
  2. Please record a short private YouTube video that demonstrates the strength of your musicianship.
  3. Submit the scholarship application to emf@tysamusic.org no later than June 1st.

The Miss Jan Collum Young Musicians Scholarship

About Miss Jan

In 1955, Miss Jan Collum founded The Jan Collum School of Classical Ballet and The Concert Ballet Group of Tacoma. The School was founded to impart excellent classical ballet instruction, and the Company was founded to perform classical ballet with a stellar standard of excellence and professionalism. The Concert Ballet Group of Tacoma began with six Company Dancers who soon blossomed into thirty. The Company was renamed BALLTACOMA in 1965, and rechristened Tacoma City Ballet in 1995.

Miss Jan’s passionate belief that the lives of children are greatly enriched by the serious study of classical ballet and music was predominant throughout her life. She was insistent that a LIVE ORCHESTRA was one of the most important aspects of a professional classical ballet production. She was insistent that young dancers and musicians be offered every educational and performance opportunity that would nurture and develop a truly skilled artist that could be employed in the professional world.

Tacoma City Ballet is honored to establish The Miss Jan Collum Young Musicians Scholarship, as we perpetuate Miss Jan Collum’s legacy of love and dedication to the service of young developing artists.

Support

Help Us Continue Transforming Lives

Whether you donate, volunteer, or sponsor, your contribution will help us continue to provide the highest quality music education and preserve a rich cultural experience.

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