Departments

Jazz

Five students playing jazz instruments (guitar, bass, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone)

Jazz

Students enrolled in the Jazz Studies Department learn traditional jazz repertoire, develop improvisational skills, and the ability to perform as soloists and accompanists. A core concept of the curriculum is that keen aural perception is fundamental to mastering the subtleties of jazz and developing excellent musicianship.

In addition to individual instruction, students are strongly encouraged to participate in an ensemble, so that they may apply the skills learned in lessons and master classes to actual performance.

A two-week intensive jazz class is offered in the summer for older children and teenagers who want to continue or begin jazz studies while school is not in session.

Meet Our Jazz Faculty

2025-2026 Youth Courses

August 26, 2025 – May 29, 2026
Tuesdays 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Instructors: Sam Hirsh
Tuition: $1,080

Register here

Students participate in jazz combos consisting of rhythm sections (i.e. piano, guitar, drum set, and percussion) and various wind instruments. Literature for each group includes an assortment of standard jazz repertoire as well as arrangements and original compositions.

Age 12+. Students of all instruments may enroll. At least two years of previous instrumental study required.

Call the front office at 626.683.3355 or email music@pasadenaconservatory.org to join.

August 26, 2025 – May 29, 2026
Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructors: Aaron Janik
Tuition: $1,080

Register here

Students participate in jazz combos consisting of rhythm sections (i.e. piano, guitar, drum set, and percussion) and various wind instruments. Literature for each group includes an assortment of standard jazz repertoire as well as arrangements and original compositions.

Age 12+. Students of all instruments may enroll. At least two years of previous instrumental study required.

August 26, 2025 – May 29, 2026
Fridays 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Instructors: Danny Janklow
Tuition: $1,080

Register here

Students participate in jazz combos consisting of rhythm sections (i.e. piano, guitar, drum set, and percussion) and various wind instruments. Literature for each group includes an assortment of standard jazz repertoire as well as arrangements and original compositions.

Age 12+. Students of all instruments may enroll. At least two years of previous instrumental study required.

2025-2026 Adult Courses

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 improvisation.

Please contact the office to enroll: music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626-683-3355.

August 25 – November 17, 2025
Mondays 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $180

Register here

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.

Summer Youth Offerings

June 24 – July 29, 2025
Tuesdays: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Instructor: Aaron Janik
Tuition: $252

Register here

Students participate in jazz combos composed of rhythm sections (i.e. piano, guitar, drum set, and percussion) and various wind instruments. Students of all instruments may enroll. Literature for each group may be an assortment of standard jazz repertoire as well as arrangements and original compositions.

Age 12+. At least two years of previous instrumental study required.

Call the front office at 626.683.3355 or email music@pasadenaconservatory.org to join.

June 9 – 20, 2025
Monday – Friday: 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructors: Sam Hirsh and Danny Janklow
Tuition: $950

Register here

This two-week course develops foundations of jazz improvisation, theory, and history. Students study with some of L.A.’s great jazz teachers, gain a comprehensive knowledge of jazz traditions, participate in daily master classes, learn to play pieces by jazz masters, and perform in an end-of-workshop concert.

Age 12+. All instruments welcome, no previous jazz experience required.

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.

Summer Adult Offerings

June 11 – August 2, 2025
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $240
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

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.

June 14 – August 2, 2025
Mondays: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $90

Register here

The adult studies jazz theory class is for beginning to
Intermediate ability levels. This class will include ear training drills on music intervals, triads and 7th chords. Students will study from lesson topics from Shelly Berg’s Book “Essentials of Jazz Theory”, including various scales, chord patterns, and soloing exercises that can be directly applied to jazz standards. Students will bring their instruments (pianos provided) and will be given weekly assignments to practice that are in line with their experience level and abilities.

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

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