What is MVSO Heartstrings?
Launched in September 2026, Heartstrings is part of the Education and Community Programs branch of the
Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra. We provide high quality musical instruction and loaner instruments (violin,
viola, cello and bass) free of charge to students in the Dayton area. Activities are held at FLOC on Tuesdays and
include supervised/guided individual practice time and a mixed instrument group class. We believe every child
should have the opportunity to discover the joy of making music and explore the wonderful world of string
instruments.
Each MVSO Heartstrings student will receive:
● Instrument, book and music stand to use. (These may not go home)
● 45 minute group class with mixed instruments
● Time and space for personal practice
● Memories and skills that will last a lifetime
Additional perks of Heartstrings
● Students may attend most MVSO concerts free of charge.
● Students may additionally attend MVSO Youth Strings programs on Saturdays free of charge
Registration for fall 2026 ends Sept. 19.
Meet the Instructor: Denise Carter
Denise Carter, a Kettering native, graduated in 1994 with B.A. Music Ed. from Wright State University. Denise has worked with hundreds of students throughout her career as either a school music teacher, private instructor and even three years as an English teacher in Japan.
As a multi-faceted musician, she spent several years fine tuning her administrative expertise with notable positions held at New England Conservatory and Longy School of Music (Boston), and the Oregon Symphony.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream in 2017 she founded and nurtured the MVSO Youth Strings program which has grown across the Miami Valley region and provided musical opportunities for youth across the Miami Valley who might not otherwise have an orchestral home.
A lifelong learner, she has participated in Berklee’s Global String Intensive and Juilliard’s Starling-Delay Symposium and was presenter at the 2013 and the upcoming 2027 American String Teachers Assoc. National conferences.
Denise currently serves as MVSO Director of Education & Community Programs and performs and teaches private violin and viola, and is proud to be the instructor for MVSO Heartstrings!
Missed the deadline? Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Email us at: education@mvso.org