Key to Change presents its annual Solo String Festival for middle and high school violin and viola students who live and attend school in South King County. 

Students who participate in their respective school orchestra programs, local youth symphony orchestras, and/or take private lessons with a studio teacher in South King County are all eligible. Students may enter the Solo String Festival who do not have a private lesson teacher. Students living in South King County who do not participate in any of the aforementioned are also eligible. All students who are currently enrolled in Key to Change studio are also eligible to participate in the Solo String Festival. 

South King County is defined as: Auburn, Black Diamond, Burien, Covington, Des Moines, Federal Way, Enumclaw, Kent, Maple Valley, Muckleshoot Reserve, Normandy Park, Rainier Beach, Renton, SeaTac, Skyway, Tukwila, and White Center. 

Students will perform and compete for prizes and participate in masterclasses and group classes with guest artist instructors. Students will also receive lunch and have an opportunity to watch other student participants perform and attend the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the festival.

Student participants will participate in masterclasses with Tami Lee Hughes, LaTannia Ellerbe, and Robert Simonds. 

Judges include Robert Simonds, Jason Amos, Paula Nava Madrigal, and Anthony Spain.

United Negro College Fund is a community partner of Key to Change.

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