Adult Studies
Come be a part of the adult studies community at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.
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.
PCM offers a number of opportunities to perform with other musicians, including Adult Guitar Orchestra, Piano Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber Music. Please call 626.683.3355 for more information.
Intro to World Drumming
Instructor: Brad Dutz
Wednesdays | September 4-November 6
6:30-8 p.m. | Adults
Tuition: $150
Experience the power of rhythm! Each week the class will learn new rhythms based on music from a wide range of cultures, including African, Brazilian, Cuban, and Middle Eastern. Students will play hand drums and a variety of percussion instruments. No musical experience required!
Materials required: Hand Drums for Beginners, by John Marshall, Alfred Music Publishing, $9.00.
Intro to Recorder
Instructor: Rachael Doudrick
Thursdays | September 5-November 7
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Tuition: $150
Students will enjoy playing on the alto recorder, a simple instrument with a pleasing tone. With its roots in the Renaissance and Baroque eras of music, the recorder is still popular around the world as a melodic instrument for playing solo or together with friends. We’ll explore early music for the recorder as a way to get our fingers moving, then use our instruments to play along to folk, jazz, and even rock music! No prior experience in music reading or instrument playing is required.
Adult Recorder Ensemble: Baroque to Folk
Instructor: Rachael Doudrick
Thursdays| September 5-November 7
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Tuition: $150
Students will play soprano, alto, and tenor recorders in small consorts, with an emphasis on individual musicianship within the ensemble. Students will explore the full voice of the instrument through music written and arranged specifically for the recorder, from early music of the Renaissance and Baroque to contemporary arrangements of popular music.
Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction to Recorder or enrollment during the 2018-2019 school year.
Introduction to Ukulele
Instructor: Lindsay Dodoras
Mondays | September 9-November 11
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Tuition: $150
Musicians will learn ukulele technique and skills while exploring the music of the classic American Songbook to songs of today. Every class includes playing and singing together while increasing musicianship skills and knowledge. No prior music reading or instrument playing skills are required.
Materials required: Soprano or Concert ukulele. Some instruments will be available for purchase from Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Students may decide to acquire their own instrument.
Ukulele Songbook
Instructor: Lindsay Dodoras
Mondays|September 9-November 11
10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Tuesdays|September 3-November 5
6:30-8:00 p.m.
Tuition: $150
Students will continue their exploration of the American Songbook for ukulele. With classics from Broadway to our favorite jazz standards, they will learn the mechanics behind each of these timeless tunes and how to perform them live. Ukulele players will experiment with song arranging and learn the musical terminology needed to communicate with fellow musicians. From composers such as George and Ira Gershwin to Cole Porter to Rodgers and Hart, we will journey together through the decades of musical genius!
Prerequisite: Completion of Introduction to Ukulele or enrollment during the 2018-2019 school year.
Glee Club
Instructor: Lindsay Dodoras
Wednesdays | September 4-November 6
10—11:30 a.m.
Tuition: $150
The Glee Club is the perfect opportunity for you to share your voice with others! Whether you are an experienced choir member or looking to begin singing for the first time, this is your chance to explore vocal technique and music theory through quality choral repertoire. Glee Club members will learn about proper vocal health, choir etiquette, and how to read music through the study of solfeggio and ear training. The club will venture through various genres of choral repertoire including classical, contemporary, jazz, and musical theater! Come one and all to experience the happiness one gets from singing in a choir!
Materials Required: Binder/repertoire/printed matter, as provided by the teacher, $15.00.
Adult Orff Ensemble *NEW OFFERING*
Instructor: Rachael Doudrick
Tuesdays| September 3-November 5
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Tuition: $150
Students will learn, create, and perform music in the Orff-Schulwerk style: a process that begins with simple songs, patterns, movement, and body percussion and evolves into feeling-ful, sophisticated music-making within the group. Students will sing, play xylophones and hand percussion, and move with rhythm. Most adults who experience making music using Orff-Schulwerk exclaim, “Why didn’t I learn it this way the first time?” No matter what level of musical experience a student brings to the class, from beginner to amateur to professional, a very satisfying artistic process is enjoyed by all. Students should dress for easy movement and wear comfortable shoes.
Creative Movement *NEW OFFERING*
Instructor: Daphne Trager
Wednesdays| September 4-November 13 (No class October 23)
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Tuition: $150
PCM welcomes you to a new Creative Movement class for Adults! Students will stretch and strengthen their bodies, minds, and creative spirits through an uplifting class that will include a careful warm up, improvisation using the elements of dance, folk dancing, movement combinations, and choreography. Music from classical, folk and percussion sources, storytelling, and a variety of props will awaken your expressive self. No dance experience necessary.
Students should dress for stretching movement and moderate exercise. Wear comfortable, soft-soled shoes or socks.
Beginner Jazz Combo
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Wednesdays | August 28—November 13
7:30—8:30 p.m.
Tuition: $300
In the Adult Jazz Combo you will learn to play jazz and blues standards in an ensemble setting. This includes listening to tunes and learning about melody, arrangements, chords, scales, and jazz improvisation. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas and questions to the group to create a collaborative environment.
Students are asked to bring their instruments and supplies (reeds, cords, strings, etc. with the exception of piano, drums, and amplifiers, which will be provided).
Register for the Beginner Jazz Combo here.
Intermediate/Advanced Jazz Combo
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Wednesdays | August 28—November 13
12-1 p.m.
Tuition: $300
In the Adult Jazz Combo you will learn to play jazz and blues standards in an ensemble setting. This includes listening to tunes and learning about melody, arrangements, chords, scales, and jazz improvisation. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas and questions to the group to create a collaborative environment.
Students are asked to bring their instruments and supplies (reeds, cords, strings, etc. with the exception of piano, drums, and amplifiers, which will be provided).
Register for the Intermediate/Advanced Jazz Combo here.
Adult Guitar Orchestra
Instructor: Adam Pettit
Wednesdays | August 28—November 13
7—8:30 p.m.
Tuition: $300
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.
Adult Piano Ensemble
Instructor: Cindy Williams
Wednesdays | September 4—November 6
12—2 p.m.
Tuition: $300
This class is designed for adult amateurs of intermediate to advanced levels. The ensemble will study and perform original and arranged works for piano duos, trios, and quartets. Fundamental ensemble skills such as collaboration, synchronization, and rehearsal techniques, as well as activities designed to develop piano technique, efficient practice habits, and sight reading skills will be addressed. Class priorities include making music with other pianists and having fun! Conducted by Dr. Cynthia Williams.
Register for music history courses here!
Piano Chamber Music
Instructor: Dr. Sarkis Baltaian
Schedule: 10 Weeks (Sept 3-Nov 11)
Tuesdays: 9:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Tuition: $300
This class examines and explores piano chamber music repertoire from the Classical period through 20th century. Representative works include piano trios, quartets and quintets by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, Dvorak, Faure, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Messiaen, Bartok, Elgar, Shostakovich, Babadjanian, Schnittke, and Schoenfield.
Register here.
100 Years of Musical Theater
Instructor: Lindsay Dodoras
Schedule: 10 weeks (Sept 6-Nov 11)
Fridays: 9:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Tuition: $300
Each week, the class examines musicals from a specific era in musical theater history (i.e. the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, etc.). In addition to learning about the historical context, singing styles, and accompaniment of each work, the class features performances and participatory sing-a-long opportunities for the students.
Register here.
Nothing But the Blues
Instructor: Dr. Ray Briggs
Schedule: 10 Weeks (Aug 30-Nov 11)
Fridays: 1 – 3:15 p.m.
Tuition: $300
Known by its practitioners as “The Truth” set to music, the blues have spoken for and to generations of Americans. While it began as a type of African American cultural expression in the post-bellum South, the music has transcended its racial, regional, and stylistic boundaries to greatly influence may other national music forms and even reach global acclaim.
Covering a span of more than one hundred years, this course will survey the rise of the blues from its rural, working class roots in the 1870’s to the British Invasion of the 1960’s and beyond. Particular attention will be placed upon noteworthy performers, the socio-political setting of the blues, and the impact of technology and commercialization.
Register here.
Student Voices
Julia Langer
cello student (2 years), retired
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
with faculty member Elizabeth Babor
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 student (4.5 years), Partner/Portfolio Manager at Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated
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.