The MountainTop Strings of California is a strings ensemble of young musicians that has grown out of the Big Bear Lighthouse Youth Orchestras and Arrowhead Arts Youth String Ensembles in the mountains of Southern California. These programs have been developed in harmony through the dedication of the students and the tenacity and intense passion of their director, Sharon Rizzo. They have also beco
me regionally recognized, winning top honors at music festivals and competitions. Many of the students compete individually, as well as collectively, on their instruments and enjoy performing a variety of genres in many unique venues. Rizzo, a professional cellist, was inspired to start her strings program in the San Bernardino Mountains after having performed for 3 summers in the famed Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, where music and mountains unite! In 2011, Sharon co-founded the MountainTop Strings of California with her friend and pianist, Barbara King, which is now a non-profit organization under the Lighthouse Project. Rizzo and her students have formed a strong bond because of their unique and isolated location. These students have the joy of rehearsing and performing in an unbelievably artistic and inspiring locale in Southern California, located 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles and surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, altitude around 7,000 feet. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, summer temperatures average around 80 degrees, and winter brings about 100 inches of snowfall. This mountaintop, filled with small picturesque wooded communities, is full of artistic opportunities, as well as many recreational opportunities, both on the beautiful lakes and the ski resorts. All in all, an idyllic place to grow. Rizzo has had a long time dream to provide her students with the opportunity of performing abroad and to share with her students the unique musical experiences that she was so fortunate to have. In the summer of 2013, the MountainTop Strings took their talent to Italy and Austria and performed three concerts which were well received from travelers from all over the world. They toured Italy in 2016, 2017, and most recently in June-July of 2019. Locally, they have collaborated with area Youth Orchestras such as the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra and Redlands Youth Orchestra. They have performed with the world class electric string quartet, “Stringfever” from Britain, and have booked a second engagement for February of 2015.
