2025 / 26
CourseCatalog Cata
Young Musicians page 4
Youth Ensembles page 6
Youth Theory page 12
Adult Theory page 15
Adult
Ensembles page 17
Adult History page 22
New building New programs New vibes
PASADENA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
Young Musicians
August 26 – November 15, 2025 (12 weeks)
TUITION $360
MATERIAL FEE $20 (ANNUAL FEE)
Shake, Rattle, and Roll (AGES 6-11 MONTHS)
Thursdays 10:15am – 10:50am Sharon Weed
Saturdays 10:15am – 10:50am Sharon Weed
Sound Sprouts
(AGES 1-2 YEARS)
Tuesdays 9:30am – 10:05am Sharon Weed
Saturdays 9:30am – 10:05am Sharon Weed
Singing Safari
(AGES 2-3 YEARS)
Thursdays 9:30am – 10:05am Sharon Weed
Saturdays 11am – 11:35am Sharon Weed
Melody Makers
( AGES 3-4 YEARS)
Saturdays 9am – 9:45am Mary Alonso
Saturdays 10am – 10:45am Mary Alonso
Sundays 2pm – 2:45pm TBD
Strummers and Drummers
(AGES 4-5 YEARS)
Saturdays 11am – 11:45am Mary Alonso
Sundays 3pm – 3:45pm TBD
Musical Maestros (AGES 5-7 YEARS)
Wednesdays 4pm – 4:45pm Rachael Denny
Sundays 2pm – 2:45pm Rachael Denny
YM Jazz
Saturdays 10am – 10:45am Sherry Luchette
Bridge to Winds
Sundays 3pm – 3:45pm Rachael Denny
Bridge to Piano 1 (36 WEEKS)
August 26, 2025 – May 30, 2026
TUITION $1,080 (MATERIAL FEE $20)
Tuesdays 4pm – 4:55pm Rachael Denny and Renee Gilormini or Saturdays 9am – 9:55am
Bridge to Piano 2 (36 WEEKS)
August 30, 2025 – May 30, 2026
TUITION $1,080 (MATERIAL FEE $20)
Saturdays 10am – 10:55am Rachael Denny and Renee Gilormini
Youth Ensembles
Mariachi Pasadena!
Intergenerational (12 WEEKS)
August 26 – November 11, 2025
Tuesdays 6pm – 7:30pm
Instructor: Noel Ayala-Loera
ADULTS AND YOUNG ADULTS AGES 12+
TUITION $240
Mariachi Pasadena! students learn to play and sing mariachi standards in an ensemble setting. This includes learning songs and instrumental tunes from all over Mexico and Latin America.
Chamber Music
August 25, 2025 – May 18, 2026
Mondays 7:15pm – 9:15pm
Coaches: Andrew Cook, Elizabeth Hedman, Aimée Kreston, Patrick Rosalez, Tomsen Su, Simone Vitucci, and Erika Walczak
AGES 11+
TUITION $1,620/$1,440 *
Instrumental students are eligible, by audition, to participate in PCM’s chamber music program. Chamber groups are formed for string players and pianists based on skill level. Auditions are via video submission. Please contact us at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.
* Discount for students concurrently enrolled in individual lessons at PCM.
Jazz Combo (36 WEEKS)
August 26, 2025 – May 29, 2026
Tuesdays 4pm – 5pm or Wednesdays 5pm – 6pm or Fridays 4pm – 5pm
Instructors: Danny Janklow, Aaron Janik, and Sam Hirsh
AGES 12+
TUITION $1,080
Students participate in jazz combos composed of rhythm sections (i.e. piano, guitar, drum set, and percussion) and various wind instruments. Students of all instruments may apply. Literature for each group may be an assortment of standard jazz repertoire as well as arrangements and original compositions.
At least two years of previous instrumental study required.
Guitar Chamber Music (36 WEEKS)
August 30, 2025 – May 30, 2026
Saturdays
Instructor: Scott Tennant
TUITION $1,620/$1,440 *
Students are placed into guitar duos, trios, or quartets based on skill level and preference.
Audition required. Meeting times to be determined by the participants and instructor.
* Discount for students concurrently enrolled in individual lessons at PCM.
Guitar Suzuki Groups and Ensembles (36 WEEKS)
August 26, 2025 – May 26, 2026
TUITION $576
Suzuki Guitar
Tuesdays 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Instructor: Dr. Brian Barany
Intermediate Guitar Ensemble
Wednesdays 5pm – 6pm
Instructor: Dr. Bryan Fasola
Pasadena Youth Guitar
Orchestra (TUITION $828)
Wednesdays 6pm – 7pm
Instructor: Dr. Bryan Fasola
String Ensemble (34 WEEKS)
September 8, 2025 – May 18, 2026
Mondays 5:30 – 6:15 pm
Instructors: Megan Shung and Hester Taylor
AGES 10+
TUITION $828
String Ensemble is a chamber music experience that builds and develops the skills necessary to work in a high level string ensemble program. Students are required to attend weekly coachings/ rehearsals and are challenged on their sight reading skills, musical interpretation, team work, and soloistic abilities.
Audition required. Ages 10+ (Suzuki level 4+ for violin; Suzuki level 3+ for cello/viola) or under 13 (below Suzuki level 4 for violin). Contact us at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.
String Suzuki Groups and Ensembles
(34 WEEKS)
September 10, 2025 – May 25, 2026
TUITION $576
Suzuki Cello/Bass 1
Wednesdays 5pm – 5:30pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Suzuki Cello/Bass 2
Wednesdays 5:30pm – 6pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Suzuki Violin 1A
Mondays 5:30pm – 6pm
Instructor: Brandon Encinas
Bridge to Strings
August 25, 2025 – June 1, 2026
Mondays 4pm – 4:55pm
Suzuki Violin 1B
Mondays 6pm – 6:30pm
Instructor: Brandon Encinas
Suzuki Violin 2
Mondays 6:30pm – 7pm
Instructor: Hester Taylor
Suzuki Violin 3/4
Mondays 7pm – 7:30pm
Instructor: Hester Taylor
(36 WEEKS)
Instructors: Sherry Luchette and Hestor Taylor
TUITION $1,080
Bridge to Strings is for beginning Suzuki students and caregivers, ages 4–6 years, who are not yet ready for the Book 1 Suzuki group class. The class fosters development of essential musical foundations such as beat, rhythm, pitch awareness, group movement, and both fine and gross motor coordination. Students experience a group class environment and caregivers take a small group seminar with a Suzuki instructor where they discuss practice, pedagogy, and partnering with their child(ren) to make lessons more enjoyable and effective. Students must be enrolled in private lessons with a Suzuki string teacher.
Youth Theory
August 25, 2025 – June 1, 2026 (36 weeks)
TUITION +
$720/$360 * FOR 30 MIN CLASSES
$1,080/$540 * FOR 45 MIN CLASSES
Using the Royal Conservatory curriculum, students learn theory concepts such as time and key signatures, scales, intervals, triads, and chord symbols based on corresponding levels. Courses include reading about and listening to works by renowned composers.
For more information and class descriptions visit the Music Production, Theory, and Composition page at pasadenaconservatory.org.
Theory Prep
Mondays 3:45pm – 4:15pm
Instructor: Renee Gilormini
Theory 1
Mondays 4:15pm – 4:45pm
Instructor: Renee Gilormini
Theory 2
Mondays 4:45pm – 5:15pm
Instructor: Renee Gilormini
Theory 3
Mondays 5:20pm – 5:50pm
or Tuesdays 6:00 – 6:30pm**
Instructor: Renee Gilormini
+ Material fees not included
Theory 4
Mondays 5:50pm – 6:20pm or Tuesdays 6:30 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Renee Gilormini
Theory 5
Mondays 6:20pm – 6:50pm
Instructor: Renee Gilormini
Theory 6
TBD (45 min)
Instructor: Ruby Wang
Theory 7/8
TBD (45 min)
Instructor: Ruby Wang
* Discount for students concurrently enrolled in individual lessons at PCM
** Course offered on Zoom only
Introduction to Digital Audio Workstations
(36 WEEKS)
August 26, 2025 – May 26, 2026
Tuesdays 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
AGES 12+
TUITION $1,440
Set in our brand new, state-of-the-art music technology lab, this course offers an introduction to the world of music production using industry-standard software, Logic Pro. Students learn the fundamentals of MIDI, edit and mix audio, and explore creative techniques for building their own digital tracks. By the end of the year, students have gained hands-on experience using a digital audio workstation (DAW) to create and complete musical projects.
Learning to Compose (36 WEEKS)
August 27, 2025 – May 27, 2026
Wednesdays 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
AGES 12+
TUITION $1,440
Learn the fundamentals of music composition in this fast-paced course! Students explore the essentials of creating music, generating and organizing ideas, notating melodies, and writing for instruments—all while developing their unique musical voice. Each student composes original pieces using music notation software to share with the class and their families.
Theory Fundamentals for Music Production (36 WEEKS)
August 26, 2025 – May 26, 2026
Tuesdays 7:35pm – 8:15pm
Instructor: TBD
AGES 12+
TUITION $1080
This course covers essential music theory concepts used in music production. Students explore foundational topics such as scales, chords, and harmony, and learn how to apply these principles when creating original beats, songs, and arrangements.
Adult Theory
Intermediate Music Theory (12 WEEKS)
August 26 – November 11, 2025
Tuesdays 2:15pm – 3:15pm
Instructor: Dr. Kathryn Eames
TUITION $180
Using Basics of Keyboard Theory curriculum, students learn intermediate theory through sequenced instruction. This course is for intermediate level singers and players. A “Basics of Keyboard Theory” book* is required ($13.95).
Advanced Music Theory (12 WEEKS)
August 26 – November 11, 2025
Tuesdays 1pm – 2pm
Instructor: Dr. Kathryn Eames
TUITION $180
Using Basics of Keyboard Theory curriculum, students continue to expand their horizons through sequenced instruction in advanced music theory. A “Basics of Keyboard Theory” book* is required ($13.95).
* Materials can be purchased in the front office or at various online retailers.
Jazz Theory (12 WEEKS)
August 25 – November 17, 2025
Mondays 1pm – 2pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
TUITION $180
The Adult Studies Jazz Theory class is for beginner to intermediate ability levels. This class includes ear training drills on music intervals, triads, and 7th chords. Students study lesson topics from Shelly Berg’s “Essentials of Jazz Theory,” including various scales, chord patterns, and soloing exercises that can be directly applied to jazz standards. Students bring their instruments (pianos provided) and are given weekly practice assignments in line with their experience level.
Adult Ensembles Chamber Music
Introduction to String Ensemble (12 WEEKS)
August 28 – November 13, 2025
Thursdays 6pm – 7:30pm
Instructors: Erika Walczak and Simone Vitucci
TUITION $504 (MATERIAL FEE $10)
For adults new to string ensemble, this class focuses on fundamentals: tone production, intonation, reading, and playing in an ensemble setting.
String Ensemble (12 WEEKS)
August 28 – November 13, 2025
Thursdays 4:30pm – 6pm
Instructors: Erika Walczak and Simone Vitucci
TUITION $504 (MATERIAL FEE $10)
Students acquire ensemble chops while learning just enough about music theory, history, ear training, and healthy practice habits to support their development as a whole musician.
Flute Ensemble (12 WEEKS)
August 27 – November 12, 2025
Wednesdays 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Instructor: Barbara Mullens Geier
TUITION $360
Students in the adult flute ensemble have the opportunity to sight read, develop better listening skills, improve rhythmic accuracy, and learn and perform ensemble repertoire.
Guitar Ensemble (12 WEEKS)
August 27 – November 12, 2025
Wednesdays 7pm – 8:30pm
Instructor: Dr. Bryan Fasola
TUITION $504
The Adult Guitar Ensemble gives guitarists the rare but exciting opportunity to play orchestral repertoire on the classical guitar in a group setting. Rehearsals are fun but focused on preparing for a public concert at the end of each quarter. All guitarists with some music reading abilities are welcome to join with minimum audition requirements. Each meeting is led by a conductor. Audition required.
Folk Ensemble (12 WEEKS)
August 25 – November 17, 2025
Mondays 6pm – 7:30pm
Instructor: Natalie Brejcha
TUITION $504
Come make music with your peers in a relaxed but lively setting where everyone—from the beginner to the seasoned expert—can participate at their level of ability and comfort. Together students discover and play folk music from around the world starting with American Roots Music (Fiddle tunes, Bluegrass, Country, and Blues).
The group is open to all instruments, but particularly chorded instruments like acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and solo instruments like violin, viola, and cello.
Jazz
Jazz Combo (12 WEEKS)
August 25 – November 17, 2025
Mondays 2pm – 3:30pm or Wednesdays 7pm – 8:30pm or Thursdays 7pm – 8:30pm or Saturdays 11am – 12:30pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
TUITION $504
Students learn to play jazz and blues standards in an ensemble setting. Through guided listening, students learn about melody, arrangements, chords, scales, and improvisation.
Recorder
Baroque to Folk:
Recorder Ensemble (12 WEEKS)
August 28 – November 13, 2025
Thursdays 9:30am – 11am
Instructor: Rachael Denny
TUITION $240 (MATERIAL FEE $10)
Students play soprano, alto, and tenor recorders in small consorts, with an emphasis on individual musicianship within the ensemble. Students explore music written and arranged for the recorder, from early music of the Renaissance and Baroque to contemporary arrangements of popular music.
World Music
Mariachi Pasadena!
Intergenerational (12 WEEKS)
August 26 – November 11, 2025
Tuesdays 6pm – 7:30pm
Instructor: Noel Ayala-Loera
ADULTS AND YOUNG ADULTS AGES 12+
TUITION $240
Mariachi Pasadena! students learn to play and sing mariachi standards in an ensemble setting. This includes learning songs and instrumental tunes from all over Mexico and Latin America.
Vocal Arts
Glee Club (12 WEEKS)
August 28 – November 13, 2025
Thursdays 11am – 12:30pm
Instructor: Dr. Joshua Tan
TUITION $240 (MATERIAL FEE $10)
Glee Club members have fun while learning about proper vocal health, choir etiquette, and how to read music through the study of solfège and ear training. The club ventures through various genres of choral repertoire including classical, contemporary, jazz, and musical theater.
Adult History
A Concise Chronicle of Piano Music from Bach to Bartók (7 MONTHS, ONCE A MONTH)
October 1, 2025 – May 6, 2026
First Wednesdays 7pm – 8:30pm
Instructor: Dr. Vatché Mankerian
TUITION $168
While the piano was invented in the early 18th century, it did not become popular immediately. In fact, it would take about another hundred years for it to take hold when Beethoven became the first composer to use it as his keyboard instrument of choice, leaving behind the clavichord and harpsichord. With the arrival of Chopin and Liszt and the popularization of the solo recital, the piano was
finally established as king of musical instruments, remaining as such for the next two centuries. These seven lecture-recital-style presentations chronicle the development of music for piano through discussions and live performances of the exemplary works by some of the greatest composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Bartók, and many more.
You Go Girl: Influential Women in Music from Blues and Country to R&B, Rock, Jazz and Classical (10 WEEKS)
September 12 – November 14, 2025
Fridays 10am – 12pm
Instructor: Dr. Oliver Greene
TUITION $320
During the past century, female performers and composers of all musical styles have made tremendous contributions to the arts in the US and beyond. Although some are household names, the global impact and contributions of others have begun to fade. This exciting and informative course explores the lives, obstacles, accomplishments, and influence of some of the most iconic and impactful women in music: Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosetta Tharpe, Sarah Vaughan, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Josephine Baker, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Madonna, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, Donna Summer, and Whitney Houston. Join us as we examine the women that shaped the art of music.
Pasadena Conservatory of Music
100 North Hill Avenue, Pasadena 91106
pasadenaconservatory.org
626.683.3355
For additional course information, schedules, descriptions, and to register online visit pasadenaconservatory.org