PCM’s Jazz Department has seen tremendous growth these past few years, especially among adult students. The adult jazz combo program led by Sherry Luchette began in 2018 with just one combo. Now, four combos meet every week and students have nothing but high praise. This program provides a welcoming space for adults who are learning jazz and want to improve their skills by playing with others. Some program highlights from adult jazz students include the following:

Gabriele Burkard (recorder) 

“After the adult folk ensemble ended in June, I signed up on a lark with my alto recorder – an unusual instrument for jazz! I love making music with other people, and I found the jazz combo intriguing. At the time, I didn’t know what I didn’t know about jazz. And that was a good thing, or else I wouldn’t have signed up. Sherry was terrific – VERY welcoming, encouraging, and wouldn’t take no for an answer about soloing. She graciously accepted what came out of me & my recorder, which helped me manage my chagrin. My fellow players, all way beyond me in jazz musicality and skill, as well.”

Kim Nakae (banjo)

“I have been interested in playing jazz for a very long time, even when I took classical piano lessons for about ten years when growing up. Since I have been around the conservatory for a long time, now close to twenty years, I was really excited when the adult studies program started to include jazz. Sherry Luchette is a wonderful coach, and I am so glad she wanted to do this. The best part is that I have a place to play with other musicians, and it has also allowed me to pursue my desire to play straight-ahead jazz on a 5-string banjo.”

Ruthie Davidson-Guerra (bass)

“Time flies when you’re having fun…and when you make embarrassing mistakes and when you feel so inadequate you just want to hide, but you can’t because you just love what you’re doing. I guess time just flies as long as the beat fills your head and heart. This has been my experience since I started playing bass in Pasadena Conservatory of Music’s Adult Jazz Combo a couple of years ago.  

Being a part of the Adult Jazz Program at PCM has been one of the most meaningful adventures I’ve ever embarked on. A very important component of this Jazz adventure is having a professional Jazz musician and experienced music educator at the helm. Sherry Luchette creates a welcoming environment conducive to learning, exploring, and living out one’s dreams while collaborating with other aspiring and inspiring musicians.”

Below, Sherry Luchette shares more about the adult jazz combo, from its growth to advice for new students.

This interview with Sherry Luchette was conducted on July 8, 2025.

Can you share more about the growth of the adult jazz combo over the past years? 

In 2018, an adult student of mine wanted to play in a combo, so we tried hard to put together a group, and the first adult jazz combo was born. Over the next couple of years, it continued to grow, and we consistently had two combos meeting weekly. During the pandemic, we went online and had everyone record themselves playing alone and send it to each other. While it was difficult, I think students enjoyed having a place to go, even if they were home, because they could connect with other players to ease the isolation. 

In 2022, we came back to meeting in person, and the program continued to grow. Now, there are four combos weekly and even a jazz intensive for adults over the summer. I think the program is growing because adults are looking to play with others who aren’t necessarily professional jazz musicians. They can play, improve their skills, learn to improvise, and not feel self-conscious about it. So the environment we provide is very non-judgmental and supportive, and fosters community.

What keeps you motivated to continue growing this program? 

I genuinely enjoy teaching, and the positive feedback from students keeps me motivated. While there is a lot of work in terms of planning, administration, and emails, it feels like I have found a pretty successful and meaningful niche. Staying open to suggestions and seeing results in students continues to inspire me to further develop this program.

What is your favorite part about working with all these combos?

I think my favorite part is showing students different ways they can perform a solo. Everyone has varying experience levels, so it’s important to make it challenging and yet still fun for all skill levels. My favorite part is coming up with myriad ways to approach the same material so that everyone can understand it. And that’s the art of teaching, right – how many different ways can I communicate the same concept? Figuring out creative ways to get my point across is the fun part.

Do you have any favorite memories throughout your years of teaching adult jazz combos?

I would say the times when combos got together and performed for either PCM’s Jazz on Hill or a different performance; and just seeing the smiles on everybody’s faces afterwards because they came together, they made it happen, and they experienced the satisfaction of the job well done – that was a pretty great thing to witness. 

Do you have any advice for students looking into joining the adult jazz combo? 

Definitely call the office and check it out. We’re a friendly bunch, and there is some flexibility, so just connect with us and we’ll figure the rest out together.