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
PCM offers a number of opportunities to perform with other musicians. Please call 626.683.3355 for more information.
Chamber Music
String Ensemble (90 min – 12 weeks)
December 1, 2022 – March 2, 2023
Thursdays: 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Erika Walczak
Tuition: $450
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.
Please contact the office to enroll: music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626-683-3355.
Schedule TBD* (60 min – 12 weeks)
Instructor: Barbara Mullens-Geier
Tuition: $300
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. Meeting times to be determined by the participants and instructor.
Please contact the office to enroll: music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626-683-3355.
November 30, 2022 – March 1, 2023
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Instructor: Dr. Bryan Fasola
Tuition: $450
This is a performance-oriented ensemble for adult amateurs. The ensemble studies and performs original and arranged works for guitar orchestra, with two to four instruments per part, and is led by a conductor. Admittance is by audition.
Please contact the office to enroll: music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626-683-3355.
Jazz Combos
December 3, 2022 – March 4, 2023
Saturdays: 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $450
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.
Recorder
December 1, 2022 – March 2, 2023
Thursdays: 9:30 – 11:00 am
Instructor: Rachael Denny
Tuition: $192
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.
Ukulele
November 29, 2022 – March 2, 2023
Wednesdays: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Instructor: Crystal Peralta
Tuition: $192
Students continue their exploration of the American Songbook for ukulele. With classics from Broadway to jazz standards, students learn the mechanics behind these songs and how to perform them live.
Voice
December 1, 2022 – March 2, 2023
Thursdays: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Instructor: Dr. Joshua Tan
Tuition: $192
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
November 29, 2022 – February 28, 2023
Tuesdays: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Instructor: Sarah Bauzá
Tuition: $192
Adults and youth ages 12+
Mariachi Pasadena! students will 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.
November 29, 2022 – February 28, 2023
Tuesdays: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructors: Clarice Cast and Stevie Ray Hernandez
Tuition: $144
The course focuses on beginning techniques and rhythms as they apply to Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian percussion. The class incorporates the musical styles of son, rumba, salsa, latin-jazz, samba, bossa-nova, and merengue. Sticks and a drum practice pad required.
November 29, 2022 – February 28, 2023
Tuesdays: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Instructors: Clarice Cast and Stevie Ray Hernandez
Tuition: $144
This course explores Latin percussion techniques while focusing on the rhythms of son, salsa, rumba, and samba.
Although PCM will provide instruments during class, students will be required to purchase a practice drum pad and proper drum sticks.
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00 pm
Adults and youth ages 12+
Clarice Cast and Stevie Ray Hernandez lead PCM’s free drum circle. A fun, weekly drop-in event for everyone who enjoys drumming with others to create a sound experience. All levels are welcome and instruments will be provided!
Accordion
In this intergenerational class, students learn accordion basics, techniques, and simple tunes.
Age 12 to adult. Students must bring their own accordion.
About Zoom and PCM Tech Support
Zoom is an easy-to-use video conferencing platform that allows “face-to-face” meetings and classes from the comfort of your home. At PCM, we have dedicated staff members that can help you get set up for the class via phone or email. If you’d like tech support please reach out to the front office at 626.683.3355 or music@pasadenaconservatory.org.
Winter Theory & History Courses
December 12, 2022 – February 27, 2023
Mondays: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Nicole Baker
Tuition: $320
A specialist in the Classical era, Nicole Baker will take us through the lives and music of the “big three” of the Viennese School – Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven – as well as examine the various courts and composers that influenced them. Particular attention will be paid to Haydn’s groundbreaking string quartets and innovative symphonies, Mozart’s exquisite concerti and profound, yet often hilarious, operas, and the creation of Beethoven’s genius that encompasses all genres.
January 5 – March 9, 2023
Thursdays: 9:30 – 11:30 am
Instructor: Brian Lauritzen
Tuition: $320
This course examines the innate human desire to sing, across culture, era, and geography. Part of what makes us human is a passion to make music with the instrument we all possess, our voice. Together we’ll explore centuries of the greatest music ever sung and uncover how this music intersects with our lives today.
January 6 – March 10, 2023
Fridays: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Ray Briggs
Tuition: $320
What happens when American youth experience the power of the Black church translated into popular music form? As the country was in the throes of the Civil Rights movement in the mid-1950s through the 1960s American popular music was revitalized with a jolt from a new type of Black secular music, one with roots in Black sacred tradition. Branded as Soul Music, this form echoed the strong emotions and pleas for freedom associated with the Civil Rights struggle. As the second installment of a two-part series, this course highlights the position of Soul Music at the center of popular culture through an anatomy of the monumentally successful operations of Stax and Motown Records.
January 10 – March 14, 2023
Tuesdays: 9:00 – 11:00 am (VIRTUAL ONLY)
Instructor: Dr. Sarkis Baltaian
Tuition: $320
This class examines and explores the keyboard sonata repertoire from the Baroque period through the 20th century. Representative works include sonatas by Scarlatti, Soler, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Ives, Barber, Carter, Copland, and Griffes.
The Keyboard Sonata is a reprise of a course previously offered in 2018. The instructor will be presenting this class remotely – students may attend virtually from home or from the PCM adult studies classroom.
January 3 – March 21, 2023
Tuesdays: 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Kathryn Eames
Tuition: $144
Using Royal Conservatory curriculum, students continue to expand their horizons through sequenced instruction in music theory. This course is for intermediate singers and players who have completed Intro to Music Theory. The Royal Conservatory Level 2* book is required ($19.95).
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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.