Adult Studies
In addition to individual instruction on all instruments, PCM has a vibrant and growing slate of group classes, ensembles, and music history and appreciation offerings for adults.
- Individual Instruction
- Group Lessons & Ensembles
- Music History & Appreciation
Click on individual departments below or call the PCM office at 626.683.3355 for more information.
Ensemble Offerings
Summer Quarter: June 9 – August 17, 2025
Fall Quarter: August 25 – November 17, 2025
Chamber Music
August 27 – November 12, 2025
Wednesdays 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Instructor: Barbara Mullens Geier
Tuition: $360
Students in the adult flute ensemble will have the opportunity to sight read, develop better listening skills, improve rhythmic accuracy, and learn and perform ensemble repertoire.
Please contact the office to enroll: music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626-683-3355.
Summer
July 2 – August 13, 2025
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:45 pm
Conductors: Dr. Bryan Fasola and Dr. Bryan Barany
Tuition: $240
Fall
August 27 – November 12, 2025
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
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 semester. All guitarists with some music reading abilities are welcome to join with minimum audition requirements. Meetings are weekly and led by a conductor.
Please contact the office to enroll: music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626-683-3355.
Summer
June 9 – August 17, 2025
Thursdays: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Instructors: Simone Vitucci and Erika Walczak
Tuition: $240
Fall
August 28 – November 13, 2025
Thursdays: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Instructors: Simone Vitucci and Erika Walczak
Tuition: $504 (Material Fee: $10)
For adults new to string instruments, this class will focus on fundamentals: tone production, intonation, reading and playing in an ensemble setting.
Summer
June 9 – August 17, 2025
Thursdays: 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Instructors: Simone Vitucci and Erika Walczak
Tuition: $240
Fall
August 28 – November 13, 2025
Thursdays: 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Instructors: Simone Vitucci and Erika Walczak
Tuition: $240
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.
Jazz Combos
Summer
Advanced Jazz Combo
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Beginner/Intermediate Jazz Combo
Saturdays: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
or 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $240
Fall
August 25 – November 17, 2025
Mondays: 2:00 – 3:30 pm
or Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
or Thursdays: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
or Saturdays: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
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 jazz improvisation.
Please contact the office to enroll: music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626-683-3355.
July 14 – 18, 2025
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $850
Students participate in daily rehearsals as well as Jazz theory, ear training, improvisation, and Jazz history lessons. The intensive culminates in a Friday evening performance by all participants.
Please contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.
Recorder
August 28 – November 13, 2025
Thursdays: 9:30 – 11:00 am
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.
Voice
August 28 – November 13, 2025
Thursdays: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Instructors: 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.
World Music
Summer
June 22 – July 27, 2025
Sundays: 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Instructor: Natalie Brejcha
Tuition: $240
Fall
August 25 – November 17, 2025
Mondays: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
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.
August 26 – November 11, 2025
Tuesdays: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Instructor: Noel Ayala- Loera
Tuition: $240 (Material Fee: $10)
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.
Adult and youth ages 12+.
Intergenerational
July 19 – August 9, 2025
Saturdays: 11:00 – 11:45 pm
Instructor: Yuri Inoo
Tuition: $112
Percussion instructor Yuri Inoo leads children and adults in fun and inspiring drum activities suitable for all ages. No prior experience necessary.
Ages 6+ with an accompanying adult are invited to enroll.
July 28 – 30, 2025
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Johanna Borenstein
Tuition: $375
Flute Camp focuses on flute fundamentals, breathing, tone production, technique, articulation, and interval training. Led by PCM faculty member Johanna Borenstein, the camp features a master class by Ben Smolen, Principal Flute of Pacific Symphony, principal flute of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and Faculty at UCLA.
This camp also features a small repair and maintenance class by Seung Jeon. There will be etude studies, practice techniques, and chamber music. All students will play in a flute choir.
Ages 12 to adult are invited to enroll.
Tuesdays: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Instructor: Noel Ayala- Loera
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.
Adult and youth ages 12+.
*Summer offering available
Adult History Offerings
October 1, 2025 – May 6, 2026
First Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
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, Bartok, and many more.
September, 12, 2025 – November 14, 2025
Fridays: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
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.
Theory Courses
August 26 – November 11, 2025
Tuesdays: 2:15 – 3:15 pm
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).
*Materials can be purchased in the front office or at various online retailers
August 26 – November 11, 2025
Tuesdays: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
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
August 25 – November 17, 2025
Mondays: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
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.
Student Voices
Julia Langer
When I retired, I moved to Pasadena and my son said, “Mom, if you would learn to play the cello, we could have a string quartet!” My three granddaughters were taking violin and viola lessons at PCM, so I was already impressed with the quality of PCM’s programming and instructors. In December 2012, I began cello lessons. While studying music has its own intrinsic rewards, my cello studies have opened up a whole new arena of student experiences to share with my granddaughters. I strive to be a good “music student” model for them; and they, in turn, become my teachers from time to time. I have also discovered that one is never too old to begin a completely new challenge.
Ralph Miles
I think PCM is an organization that Pasadena needs. It makes a difference. I love my weekly piano lessons and want to help make sure the Conservatory can serve our community well into the future.
Eric Chadwick
Cello has been the next chapter of music for me, having focused mostly on vocal studies in my high school and college years. While I decided to learn cello for my own development and enjoyment, the highlight has been sharing in my son’s journey in learning the cello at the same time. He has studied from a young age, but now we often practice and learn together. We have both advanced to the point where we can enjoy cello duets and trios with our instructor, in addition to our solo repertoire.