Departments

Guitar

Three students playing classical guitar

Guitar

The Guitar Department focuses on teaching technical proficiency to independent learners. Through a sequential curriculum, students learn to express themselves musically and acquire the skills to successfully participate in ensemble playing. Students enroll in both a weekly private lesson and a weekly ensemble. Adult students seeking an opportunity to practice and perform with peer musicians in an ensemble setting may join our Adult Guitar Orchestra.

Meet Our Guitar Faculty

Ensemble Program

The ensemble program supplements individual lessons. All students are required to enroll in a minimum of two years of Guitar Ensemble (Suzuki Group Classes or Orchestra). Classes cover activities in reading, solo performance and ensemble playing. Classes meet once per week and are divided into various skill levels. Students are placed in ensembles by their teacher or through audition. All students in the program must enroll for the entire school year while also studying guitar privately. Ensembles perform in recitals three times per year.

Visit the Fees page for more information about tuition and registration fees.

Summer Offerings

Youth Classes

June 18 – July 30, 2025
Wednesdays: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Brian Barany
Tuition: $154

Register here

This course is an introduction to playing guitar. Topics covered include reading music, basic chords, fingerstyle, and strumming. No experience required.

Recommended for ages 10-14. Required Book: Hal Leonard Guitar Method

June 18 – July 30, 2025
Wednesdays: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Brian Barany
Tuition: $154

Register here

This course is an introduction to jazz guitar playing for classical guitarists. Topics include scales, basic jazz chords, reading charts, and improvisation.

Ages 14+. Recommended for Suzuki and RCM books 4-9 with little or no jazz experience.

Adult Ensembles

July 2 – August 13, 2025
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Conductors: Dr. Brian Barany and Dr. Bryan Fasola
Tuition: $280

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 focused on preparing for a public concert. All guitarists with some music reading abilities are welcome to join with minimum audition requirements.

Audition required. Please contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.

Let's make some music!
Find out how to enroll