ROCKPORT— This weekend three young musicians born and bred in Maine are returning from their studies in Boston to perform, conduct a free workshop, visit friends and family, and enjoy being back in the place where they grew up.

Maya French of Belfast, Cushing's Elizabeth Moore, and Nikolai Renedo of Orono play together in the musician-led orchestra Palaver Strings, an innovative group of young string players based in Boston. The three grew up playing together, their paths converging at Bay Chamber Music School in Rockport, where they participated in the school's Odeon Ensemble Program.

In Odeon they found valuable opportunities to perform in a variety of orchestra and chamber music configurations — and had a lot of fun in the process.

"There aren't many classical music opportunities in Maine," said French, a violinist since childhood, in a news release "but I was lucky to be part of a small family of string students who grew up playing together in various ensembles."

This group, McFravis, included her sister, mother, aunt, and two cousins. This spring French will graduate from Boston University with a degree in violin performance. "Palaver Strings was partly inspired by the Odeon experience," said French in the release. "We want to make classical music accessible and intimate, to present it in a relaxed environment, so the audience experiences a closeness with the performers."

Renedo, who named his beloved cello "Maurice," also notes the longstanding relationship with French and Moore: "I've been playing music with fellow Mainahs and Palaverinos Maya and Lizzie since we all were kids."

After stints with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica Chamartín, and as a soloist with the Tufts Symphony Orchestra, Renedo is studying biology and philosophy at Tufts University in Boston, with an eye toward a career in medicine. He said playing with Palaver Strings has been a fantastic experience. "For us the best part of playing is observing how music can so often have profound effects on our audience," said Renedo in the release, "especially because we get to form intimate connections with audiences during our performances which are impossible in concert halls."

Viola player Moore moved to Boston in 2012, after growing up in Cushing. She said in the release: "I was lucky to have been surrounded by music at an early age, and I cannot remember a time when my focus was anything else. Whether it was playing fiddle in the family contradance band, violin and viola in various chamber and orchestral groups through Bay Chamber Music School, or singing every chance there was — I kept busy with one musical activity or another."

After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Moore recently earned a master of music degree from Boston University College of Fine Arts. She's now a certified Suzuki violin and viola teacher, launching a new studio in the greater Boston area.

Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School Executive Director Monica Kelly remembers the three young musicians. she said in the release: "In 2007, Maya, Elizabeth and Nikolai all played together in Odeon's Advanced Ensemble, directed by Gilda Joffe. It was an amazing time, with such a talented group of young musicians, all about the same age, working at a very high level. For me, it's a dream come true to welcome them back as professionals."

Palaver Strings will perform at 6 p.m., Friday, May 8, in Rockport's Union Hall, performing a variety of works including Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence, Bon Iver's Woods, and Mascagni's Intermezzo. The concert is part of Bay Chamber Concerts' "Music@Dusk" series of informal "after-work" concerts: beverages and a light snack will be served.

Tickets are $25 ($10 under 25) and may be purchased online at baychamberconcerts.org, by calling 236-2823, or at the door starting at 5:30 p.m.

The group will also present a free workshop for string students Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m., at Bay Chamber Music School in Rockport. The theme of the workshop is "Building a Great Performance" with a focus on new ways of improving communication skills in rehearsals and performances. Space is limited. To register, contact Joan Kulle (joan@baychamberconcerts.org; (207) 236-2823).