Although they are not the only instruments with strings, the string family consists of

  • violin

  • viola

  • cello

  • double bass

The instruments in the string family all look very similar, but are different sizes. The smaller instruments make higher pitched sounds than the larger instruments. The wooden bodies of the string instruments are hollow, allowing the sound to vibrate. The strings (made of nylon or steel or even gut) are usually played by drawing a bow across them. The bow is made of wood and horsehair. Sometimes the strings are plucked with the fingers, instead of played with the bow.

Teaching staff:

  • Emily Brooker

    YRC studios, Young Young Public School

    I’m Emily, a piano, vocal and violin/viola tutor. I love working with choirs and ensembles, and believe that playing or singing with other people is a wonderful way to share music with our community. Great for the music makers and the listeners! My favourite part of the YRC year is the annual musical (look our for Alice in 2022!). I play Irish fiddle, classical and pop piano, and happily sing musical theatre, folk, pop and indie rock! I delight in the mathematical precision of the circle of fifths, and believe that music theory makes life better.

    Bachelor of Social Science Post Grad Diploma of Divinity Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

    Enrol with Emily

  • Kyrene Mei Paine is a violinist and violist born in the United Kingdom, who relocated to Australia in 2003. She completed primary school in the United Kingdom, and high school and her first degree (a Bachelor of Creative Industries, (2016) from JCU in Cairns, QLD, before relocating to Melbourne.

    She began violin at a young age under her mother’s tuition, and has been playing for twenty- four years, during which time she placed in various eisteddfods, completed violin examinations through AMEB (Grade 6) and Trinity Guildhall (Grade 8), and performed in the Cairns String Orchestra and later, the Cairns Concert Orchestra.

    In Melbourne, she worked as a Violin Teacher for Metro Music School, The Music Education Academy and The Music Hub Academy, and recently graduated with her second degree- a Bachelor of Educational Studies with a Music Major (Victoria University, March 2025). She worked as a Violin and Viola Teacher for Caroline Springs School of Music- where her love and passion for the viola developed. She has worked in music schools since 2017 and has taught at least 60 students, many of who have achieved Honours and High Distinctions when completing AMEB examinations. Kyrene has now been playing the viola for four years and has a strong connection with the instrument due to its’ sonorous, rich, stunning tone. Her ongoing passion for music has led her to perform violin and viola in various community orchestras throughout Victoria and Queensland and achieve a High Distinction on her AMEB Grade 6 Viola Examination in December, 2024.

    In October 2023, Kyrene participated in a University study tour to Thailand where she taught classroom music under the guidance of a classroom music teacher and participated in the cultural and musical life of Thailand through immersion in traditional Thai musical instrument classes. This has further educated her in awareness and appreciation of cultural differences, which in turn has informed her teaching practice.

    Recently, she participated in the Viola Festival Weekend held in Canberra between October the 3rd- 6th 2025 as part of Floriade. She used this opportunity

    to further her skills on the viola and assist in the successful completion of her AMEB Viola Grade 7 Examination which she successfully completed in October 2025. Kyrene continues to develop her skills as a musician and teacher through regular Professional Development opportunities.

    Kyrene is delighted to announce that she is the new Strings Tutor at The Young Regional Conservatorium since mid-February 2025. She is excited to be a part of the Conservatorium and contribute to the vibrant, musical scene in Young, NSW.