
Strings
The String Department prepares students to achieve technical proficiency on their instruments. A comprehensive curriculum emphasizes balanced posture, tone production, accurate intonation, musicianship skills, and leads students through a sequential body of repertoire.
The Conservatory’s string curriculum for violin, viola, and cello is based on the Talent Education method developed by Shinichi Suzuki. Students follow the Suzuki curriculum, which includes weekly individual lessons of 30, 45, or 60 minutes and a weekly group class. Through the Suzuki method, students may begin instruction as young as age 4.
Meet Our String Faculty
-
Andrew Cook
Artist-TeacherStringscelloChamber Musiccello -
Aimée Kreston
Artist-Teacher, String Department Chair, and Chamber Music Department ChairStringsviolinChamber Musicviolin -
Andrew Picken
Artist-TeacherStringsViola -
Niklas Bertani
Stringscello -
Natalie Brejcha
Stringsviolin, violaYoung MusiciansWorld Music -
Brandon Encinas
Suzuki Violin & Viola Program CoordinatorStringsviolin, viola -
Cynthia Fogg
Stringsviolin, viola -
Ismael Ariel Guerrero Bombut
StringsCello -
Nadine Hall
StringsCello -
Sharon Harman
Stringsviolin -
Elizabeth Hedman
StringsViolinChamber MusicViolin -
Trina Carey Hodgson
StringsCello -
Dorthy Kwon
Stringsviolin, viola -
Sherry Luchette
JazzbassStringsbassYoung MusiciansAdult Studies -
Patrick Rosalez
Stringsviolin, violaChamber Music -
Andrea Sanderson
Stringsviolin -
Megan Shung
World Music Department ChairStringsViolin, ViolaJazzViolinWorld Music -
Tereza Stanislav
StringsviolinChamber Musicviolin -
Tomsen Su
StringsCelloChamber MusicCello -
Hester Taylor
Stringsviolin -
Simone Vitucci
StringsCelloChamber MusicCello -
Erika Walczak
Stringsviolin, violaAdult StudiesChamber Music
Our Programs
We offer private lessons as well as group and ensemble classes.
August 26, 2024 – June 2, 2025
Mondays 4pm – 4:55pm
Instructors: Sherry Luchette and Hestor Taylor
September 9, 2024 – May 19, 2025
Mondays: 5:30 – 6:15 pm
Instructor: Natalie Brejcha, Brandon Encinas, and Erika Walczak
String Ensemble is a chamber music experience under the PCM Suzuki department, aimed towards students whose intention is to build and develop the skills necessary to work in a high level string ensemble program. Students are required to attend weekly coachings/rehearsals, and will be challenged on their sight reading skills, musical interpretation, team work, soloistic abilities, etc. This program is currently reserved for those with recommendation from their private lesson teacher, and at the sole discretion of the Suzuki program coordinator.**
Those eligible for String Ensemble are:
- Students in Suzuki books level 4 and above who are under the age of 13, with the recommendation from their private lesson teacher.
- Students ages 10 and above, who are below Suzuki Book level 4, with the recommendation from their private lesson teacher.
July 21 – 25, 2025
Monday – Friday: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Instructors: Brandon Encinas and Natalie Brejcha
Tuition: $250
<a class=”button” href=”https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDqokNcTglIrWKC5hRe1HDE4oNLNOVJ7BxRyg-IoEEuTGR4A/viewform” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Apply for the String Ensemble Intensive</a>
Students learn essential chamber skills including independent thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, listening, agency, leadership, and compromise, all while playing music from the great masters like Mozart and Haydn.
Ages 8 – 13 are invited to audition. Video submission required. Please contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.
September 9, 2024 – May 19, 2025
Instructors: Brandon Encinas, Sherry Luchette, Megan Shung, Hester Taylor, and Simone Vitucci
Group classes for violin, cello, and bass students meet Monday evenings between 5:30 and 7:30 in 30-minute increments.
Contact the PCM office at 626.683.3355 or music@pasadenaconservatory.org for enrollment information.
Adult Offerings
June 22 – July 27, 2025
Sundays: 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Instructor: Natalie Brejcha
Tuition: $240
Come make music with your peers in a relaxed but lively setting where everyone – from the basic beginner to the seasoned expert – can participate at their level of ability and comfort. The Folk Ensemble works together to discover and play folk music from around the world starting with American Roots Music (e.g. Fiddle tunes, Bluegrass, Country and Blues).
The group is open to all instruments, but particularly chorded instruments like acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and solo instruments like violin, viola, and cello.
Spring: March 6 – May 29, 2025
Summer: July 3 – August 7, 2025
Thursdays: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Instructor: Erika Walczak and Simone Vitucci
Tuition: $480/$240**
For adults new to string ensemble, this class focuses on fundamentals: tone production, intonation, reading, and playing in an ensemble setting.
**Summer tuition
Spring: March 6 – May 29, 2025
Summer: July 3 – August 7, 2025
Thursdays: 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Instructors: Erika Walczak and Simone Vitucci
Tuition: $480/$240**
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.
**Summer tuition
Visit the Fees page for more information about tuition and registration fees.
*Summer offering available