Summer at PCM
Young Musicians | Youth | Adults
Young Musicians
June 21 – August 9, 2025
Tuition: $224
Beach Boogie (9 – 18 months)
Saturday | 10:15 – 10:50 am | Weed
Tidepool Tunes (1.5 – 2.5 years)
Saturday | 11:00 – 11:35 am | Weed
Sea Sounds (2.5 – 3.5 years)
Saturday | 9:30 – 10:05 am | Weed
Saturday | 11:45 – 12:20 am | Weed
Jungle Jamboree (3.5 – 4.5 years)
Saturday | 9:00 – 9:45 am | Alonso
Saturday | 10:00 – 10:45 am | Alonso
Singing Safari (4.5 – 5.5 years)
Saturday | 11:00 – 11:45 am | Alonso
June 21 – August 9, 2025
Saturdays: 10:00 – 10:45 am
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $224
YM Jazz includes singing, movement, instruments, and storytelling with Sherry Luchette, author of The Flying Jazz Kittens. She introduces students to swing time, blues form, and great jazz music from all eras.
Ages 5 – 7. No prior experience required.
June 21 – August 9, 2025
Saturdays: 10:00 – 10:45 pm
Instructor: Crystal Jasso
Tuition: $224
Family Ukulele is an intergenerational program where students learn basic chords and rhythms, strumming patterns, simple songs, and even some novice improvisational skills that can lead to jam sessions at home!
Students gain the confidence necessary to collaborate effectively, create
beautiful music, and—best of all—have fun learning the ukulele!
Ages 7+ with an accompanying adult are invited to enroll.
July 19 – August 9, 2025
Saturdays: 11:00 – 11:45 pm
Instructor: Yuri Inoo
Tuition: $112
Percussion instructor Yuri Inoo leads children and adults in fun and inspiring drum activities suitable for all ages. No prior experience necessary.
Ages 6+ with an accompanying adult are invited to enroll.
June 21 – July 12, 2025
Saturdays: 11:00 – 11:45 am
Instructor: Danielle Ondarza
Tuition: $112
In this class, young students hear, hold, and explore the instruments of the brass family and learn to play the P-buzz trombone. The class is led by Danielle Ondarza, PCM’s French horn teacher and Winds, Brass, Percussion chair.
Ages 7+ are invited to enroll.
Youth Camps & Workshops
July 28 – August 1, 2025
Monday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Instructors: Danielle Ondarza and Mike Zonshine
Tuition: $650
In our week together, we help you develop your sound, technique, and artistry. Brass Camp is a perfect way to build upon the skills you have, get back into shape before school begins, and improve your
understanding of how your instrument works.
Each day includes a group warm-up, playing together as a full brass ensemble, and sectional time. We help you become more confident in reading music and knowing how to make the printed notes sound like the exciting music you want to play.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
June 8 – 15, 2025
Sunday – Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (6/8 orientation day starts at 2:00)
Director: Aimée Kreston
Tuition: $950
For intermediate to advanced students, our Chamber Music Intensive offers an exciting deep dive into chamber music. The intensive is led by String Department Chair, Aimée Kreston, and is assisted by nationally recognized coaches and teachers. The week includes daily coachings, rehearsals, guest artist recitals, master classes, lectures, and more. It is an intense but fun week!
Accepting applications from students ages 11–18. New and returning students must apply and submit a video to be considered. Qualifying students who apply before May 1 are given priority to available scholarships. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the program fills up.
Please contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.
June 27 – June 29
Friday: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Instructors: Laura Stoutenborough and Micah Wright
Tuition: $325
Clarinet Camp focuses on fundamentals, including breathing, embouchure, and articulation. Led by PCM faculty members Laura Stoutenborough and Micah Wright, the camp features a master class by Boris Allakhverdyan, principal clarinet of the LA Philharmonic. This camp covers reed-work, practice techniques, and chamber music. All students play in a clarinet choir.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
July 28 – 30, 2025
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Johanna Borenstein
Tuition: $375
Flute Camp focuses on flute fundamentals, breathing, tone production, technique, articulation, and interval training. Led by PCM faculty member Johanna Borenstein, the camp features a master class by Ben Smolen, Principal Flute of Pacific Symphony, principal flute of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and Faculty at UCLA.
This camp also features a small repair and maintenance class by Seung Jeon. There will be etude studies, practice techniques, and chamber music. All students will play in a flute choir.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
June 23 – 27, 2025
Monday – Friday: 1:30 – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
Tuition: $550
Set in our brand new, state-of-the-art music technology lab, this course offers an introduction to the world of music production using industry-standard software Logic Pro. Students learn the fundamentals of MIDI, editing, and mixing audio, as well as explore creative techniques for building their own digital tracks. By the end of the week, students have gained hands-on experience using a digital audio workstation (DAW) to create a complete musical project.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
June 9 – 20, 2025
Monday – Friday: 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructors: Sam Hirsh and Danny Janklow
Tuition: $950
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+ invited to enroll. All instruments welcome, no previous jazz experience required.
June 23 – 27, 2025
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
Tuition: $550
Learn the fundamentals of music composition in this fast-paced course! Students explore the essentials of creating music, generating and organizing ideas, notating melodies, and writing for instruments—all while developing their unique musical voice. Each student will compose an original piece using music notation software.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
Jule 21 – 25, 2025
Monday – Friday: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Instructors: Brandon Encinas and Natalie Brejcha
Tuition: $250
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.
June 23 – 27, 2025
Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 10:00 am
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
Tuition: $160
This class covers essential music theory concepts used in music production. Students explore foundational topics such as scales, chords, and harmony, and learn how to apply these principles when creating original beats, songs, and arrangements.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
Ensembles and Classes
June 18 – July 30, 2025
Wednesdays: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Brian Barany
Tuition: $154
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
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.
June 24 – July 29, 2025
Tuesdays: 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Instructor: Aaron Janik
Tuition: $252
Students participate in jazz combos consisting of rhythm sections (e.g. 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 apply. At least two years of previous instrumental study required.
June 10 – July 15, 2025
Tuesdays: 5:30 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Renee Gilormini
Tuition: $120
This course is designed for students who have completed Theory Prep through Level 3. It reviews concepts learned in previous classes to prepare students for the fall.
June 10 – August 12
Tuesdays: 5:00 – 5:30 pm
Instructor: Renee Gilormini
Tuition: $200
Music Theory Prep is for young students who are just starting lessons and not yet proficient at reading music. Topics include treble and bass clefs, time signatures, rhythm, notation, and an introduction to famous composers.
Ages 8+.
Adult Ensembles
June 23 – June 27, 2025
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Instructors: Danielle Ondarza and Mike Zonshine
Tuition: $975
PCM’s five-day Adult Brass Retreat brings players together to delve into all things brass. The days begin with a morning warm up followed by a tutti brass ensemble. The afternoons involve dividing into smaller chamber groups, followed by time with a legacy brass artist.
Whether you are a weekend warrior, a comeback player, a music educator, or a part-time musician, we have something for you. Join our community for a week of brass immersion.
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.
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.
July 3 – August 7, 2025
Thursdays: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Instructor: Simone Vitucci and Erika Walczak
Tuition: $240
For adults new to string ensemble, this class focuses on fundamentals: tone production, intonation, reading, and playing in an ensemble setting.
June 11 – August 2, 2025
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 pm or Saturdays: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $240
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 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
The Adult Studies Jazz Theory class is for beginner and intermediate students. This class includes ear training drills on music intervals, triads, and 7th chords. Students study lesson topics from Shelly Berg’s book “Essentials of Jazz Theory,” including 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.
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.
July 3 – August 7, 2025
Thursdays: 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Simone Vitucci and Erika Walczak
Tuition: $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.
Adult History Courses
June 16 – July 21, 2025
Mondays: 9:30 – 11:00 am
Instructor: Dr. Vatché Mankerian
Tuition: $144
These short piano pieces became popular during the 19th and early 20th century. The course includes some of the most famous and popular works, as well as rarely heard gems by some of the greatest composers including Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Albéniz, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, and many others.
June 10 – July 15, 2025
Tuesdays: 9:30 – 11:45 am
Instructor: Dr. Nic Gerpe
Tuition: $192
The 20th century was a period of remarkable innovation in Western
Classical Music. Composers embraced a spirit of experimentation and explored new ways of organizing and making sound, often questioning the very definition of the term “music.” Musical innovations from the early and mid-20th century continue to shape the language of today’s composers. In this class, we will explore extended and non-traditional instrumental techniques, electronic music, microtonality, mathematical music, the integration of folk music, and the intersection of film and concert music. This course features lectures and live demonstrations by abrilliant array of guest artists from around the LA area who specialize in the music of our time.
Intergenerational
June 21 – August 9, 2025
Saturdays: 10:00 – 10:45 pm
Instructor: Crystal Jasso
Tuition: $224
Family Ukulele is an intergenerational program where students learn basic chords and rhythms, strumming patterns, simple songs, and even some novice improvisational skills that can lead to jam sessions at home! Students gain the confidence necessary to collaborate effectively, create beautiful music, and—best of all—have fun learning the ukulele!
Ages 7+ with an accompanying adult are invited to enroll.
July 19 – August 9, 2025
Saturdays: 11:00 – 11:45 pm
Instructor: Yuri Inoo
Tuition: $112
Percussion instructor Yuri Inoo leads children and adults in fun and inspiring drum activities suitable for all ages. No prior experience necessary.
Ages 6+ with an accompanying adult are invited to enroll.