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
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Andrew Cook
Artist-Teacher and String Department ChairStringscelloChamber Musiccello -
Aimée Kreston
Artist-Teacher and Chamber Music Department ChairStringsviolinChamber Musicviolin -
Andrew Picken
Artist-TeacherStringsViola -
Niklas Bertani
Stringscello -
Natalie Brejcha
Stringsviolin, viola -
Brandon Encinas
Suzuki Violin & Viola Program CoordinatorStringsviolin, viola -
Cynthia Fogg
Stringsviolin, viola -
Nadine Hall
StringsCello -
Rowena Hammill
StringsCelloChamber MusicCello -
Sharon Harman
StringsviolinChamber Musicviolin -
Elizabeth Hedman
StringsViolinChamber MusicViolin -
Trina Carey Hodgson
StringsCello -
Dorthy Kwon
Stringsviolin, viola -
Sherry Luchette
JazzbassStringsbassYoung MusiciansAdult Studies -
Patrick Rosalez
Stringsviolin, violaChamber Musicviolin, viola -
Megan Shung
StringsViolin, ViolaJazzViolin -
Erika Walczak
Stringsviolin, viola
Our Programs
We offer private lessons as well as group and ensemble classes.
Ages 4 & 5: Mondays at 4:00 pm
Musicianship classes are for our young Suzuki students who are “pre-Twinkle,” which is to say that they are not yet ready for group class on their instruments. In Musicianship class, the teacher will introduce the elements of music: rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form and expression in a group class, where students actively make music with their peers. Students will have the opportunity to become familiar with and manipulate rhythmic patterns, begin ear training through singing and playing xylophones, play in an ensemble, move expressively to music, and create meaningful connections to both the music in the Suzuki repertoire and great examples of classical and folk music.
*For students currently enrolled in private lessons at PCM
Group classes for violin and viola students meet Monday evenings between 5:00 and 7:30 in 30 minute increments. Group classes for cello students meet Monday evenings at 5:30 and Saturday mornings at 9:30.
Classes led by Megan Shung, Brandon Encinas, Natalie Brejcha, Nick Bertani, and Rowena Hammill.
Instructor: Aimee Kreston
Ensemble for violin students in Book 3 and above, by audition only. Please contact the front office at 626.683.3355 or music@pasadenaconservatory.org for more information.
Visit the Fees page for more information about tuition and registration fees.
July 11 – 15
Monday – Friday: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Instructor: Brandon Encinas
Tuition: $120
Violin/Viola Suzuki students level 1+ explore styles, genres, technology, and improvisation.
July 18 – July 22
Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructors: Natalie Brejcha, Brandon Encinas
Tuition: $265
A fun week of exploring styles, genres, technology, and improvisation with string instruments!