Summer at PCM
Young Musicians | Youth | Adults
June 8 – August 16, 2026
No lessons or classes on Saturday, July 4.
Young Musicians
June 13 – August 1, 2025
Tuition: $210
Beach Boogie
Saturday
10:15 am
Weed
Tidepool Tunes
Saturday
9:30 am
Weed
Sea Sounds
Saturday
11:00 am
Weed
Saturday
11:45 am
Weed
Jungle Jamboree
Saturday
9:00 am
Alonso
Saturday
10:00 am
Alonso
Jump and Jive
Saturday
11:00 am
Alonso
Exploring Instruments
Saturday
9:00 am
Luchette
Saturday
10:00 am
Luchette
Youth Camps & Workshops
June 15 – June 19, 2026
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM*
Instructor: Danielle Ondarza
Tuition: $795
Come play with us! Start your summer with a week of hands-on exploration of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. No musical knowledge or previous experience necessary. All you need is a sense of adventure and a willingness to make silly sounds.
Ages 8 – 11 are invited to enroll.
*Drop-off available at 8:30 am. Pick-up available until 4:00 pm. Although PCM does not supply lunch, students are encouraged to bring their own lunch and snacks to be eaten during supervised breaks.
July 27 – August 1, 2026
Monday through Friday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Instructors: Danielle Ondarza and Mike Zonshine
Tuition: $695
In our week together, we provide the tools to 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.
July 20 – 24, 2026
Monday through Friday: 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Brandon Encinas
Tuition: $270
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.
Contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.
June 14 – 21, 2026
Sunday – Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (6/14 orientation day starts at 2:00)
Director: Aimée Kreston
Tuition: $875
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 January 15 are given priority to available scholarships. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the program fills up.
Contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.
June 18 – June 21, 2026
Thursday & Friday: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Instructors: Laura Stoutenborough and Micah Wright
Tuition: $395
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 Andrew Lowy, second/E-flat clarinet player 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.
June 8 – June 12, 2026
Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Brian Barany and Justin Smith
Tuition: $695
This course is focused on rock and pop style electric guitar. Students explore how to create a good tone for blues, rock, and metal styles. Participants are introduced to rhythm and lead guitar concepts, including scales and picking technique, string bending, palm muting, sweep picking, and chords. Amplifiers are provided, but students are required to bring guitar, guitar picks, and amplifier cables.
Interested students should submit a 1–2 minute video demonstrating a song, riff, or improvisation. Alternatively, students may submit a short video answering the following questions: 1) How long have you been playing the guitar? 2) What band or genre of guitar is your favorite? 3) What songs, chords, riffs, or scales have you played?
Video submissions should be sent to music@pasadenaconservatory.org. Ages 14+ are invited to enroll.
July 20 – 22, 2026
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Johanna Borenstein
Tuition: $395
Flute Camp focuses on flute fundamentals, breathing, tone production, technique, articulation, and interval training. Led by PCM faculty Johanna Borenstein, the camp features a master class by Heather Clark, principal flautist for the Pasadena and Long Beach symphonies. This camp also features a small repair and maintenance class. 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 22 – 26, 2026
Monday – Friday: 1:30 – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
Tuition: $585
This course is an introduction to the world of music production using industry-standard software Logic Pro. Students will 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 will have gained hands-on experience in using a digital audio workstation (DAW) to create a complete musical project.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
June 8 – 19, 2026
Monday – Friday: 2:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Nicole McCabe
Tuition: $985
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 22 – 26, 2026
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Instructor: Dr. Alexander Zhu
Tuition: $585
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 composes original pieces using music notation software.
Ages 12+ are invited to enroll.
June 22 – 26, 2026
Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 10:00 am
Instructor: Dr. Wesley Chu
Tuition: $175
This course 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 10 – July 15, 2026
Wednesdays: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Juri Yun
Tuition: $180
This course is an introduction to playing guitar. Topics covered include reading music, basic chords, finger style playing, and strumming. No experience required.
Recommended for ages 10-14. Required Book: Hal Leonard Guitar Method
June 23 –July 21, 2026
Tuesdays: 2:00 – 4:30 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $375
Students participate in jazz combos consisting of rhythm sections (i.e., piano, guitar, drum set, and percussion) and various string, brass, and wind instruments. Literature for each group includes an assortment of standard jazz repertoire as well as arrangements and original compositions. Jazz theory and improvisation are incorporated into each session.
Age 12+. Students of all instruments may enroll. At least two years of previous instrumental study required.
June 13 – August 1, 2026
Saturdays: 9:00 – 9:45 am
Instructor: Yi-Ju Lai
Tuition: $240 (Material Fee: $19.95)
This fun and engaging group piano class is designed especially for children ages 7–9 who are beginning their musical journey. Students learn the basics of piano playing in a supportive, social environment while building strong musical foundations. Through hands-on playing and listening exercises, students explore piano keyboard geography, rhythm and note reading, proper hand position and technique, musical expression, and creativity. Group learning encourages teamwork, confidence, and motivation, allowing students to learn from both the teacher and their peers.
No prior piano experience is required. This class is ideal for young musicians who enjoy learning with friends and thrive in an interactive, upbeat setting or who have completed PCM’s Bridge to Piano I or II. Each student has access to their own full-size digital piano during class.
Ages 7-9 are invited to enroll.
June 9 – July 14, 2026
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 9 – August 11, 2026
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.
Age 8+ are invited to enroll.
Adult Ensembles
July 24 – July 26, 2026
Friday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Instructors: Danielle Ondarza and Mike Zonshine
Tuition: $625
Come spend three days at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music’s Adult Brass Seminar! In our time together, we will work as an ensemble and delve into all things brass. This seminar will be led by PCM’s faculty, Danielle Ondarza and Mike Zonshine.
Each day covers a range of brass-centric topics. We start with a morning warm up to get our air moving, practice proper pedagogy, and develop our sound. Next, we play together as both a large brass ensemble and in smaller chamber music groups, exploring repertoire from the Renaissance to the modern. Each day concludes with a masterclass by a great artist, or artisan, from our rich Los Angeles brass community.
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 20 – July 25, 2026
Saturdays: 10:00 – 11:30 am
Instructor: Natalie Brejcha
Tuition: $210
This group will work together to discover and play folk music from around the world starting with American Roots Music ie. Fiddle tunes, Bluegrass, Country and Blues in a round table setting etc…
Come make music with your peers in a relaxed, but lively setting where everyone, from the most basic beginner to the seasoned expert can participate at their level of ability and comfort. What we play will be heavily decided on by the group itself.
We will begin with the basics, like how to play through chord changes or find the melody, and build it into an ensemble where everyone has a role in the finished sound and can play together with confidence.
The group is open to all instruments but particularly chorded instruments like acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo or ukulele and solo instruments like violin, viola or cello are desired but any instrument will be considered. This class is most suitable for students who can play at least C G D A E chords on their instruments or are comfortable learning melodies by ear.
June 24 – August 12, 2026
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Instructor: Dr. Bryan Fasola
Tuition: $336
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 fun and focused on preparing for a public concert at the end of each quarter. All guitarists with some music-reading abilities are welcome to join with minimum audition requirements.
July 9 – August 13, 2026
Thursdays: 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Instructors: Erika Walczak and Peter Jacobson
Tuition: $252
For adults new to string ensemble, this class focuses on fundamentals: tone production, intonation, reading, and playing in an ensemble setting.
June 8 – August 15, 2026
Mondays: 7:00 – 8:30 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: $336
Students learn to play jazz and blues standards in an ensemble setting. Through guided listening, students learn about melody, arrangements, chords, scales, and improvisation.
Contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.
June 13 – August 15, 2026
Mondays: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $160
The Adult Studies Jazz Theory class is for beginner to intermediate 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.
*No classes July 4 or August 8
July 27 – 31, 2025
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $895
Students will participate daily in Jazz Combo rehearsal, Jazz Theory and Ear Training, Jazz Improvisation, and Jazz History class. The end of the week intensive will culminate in a Friday evening performance by all participants. Daily Instrument Feature of Piano, Bass, Drums, Guitar & Saxophone.
June 8 – July 29, 2026
Mondays: 5:30 – 6:30 pm or 6:30 – 7:30
Or Wednesdays: 6:45 – 7:45 pm
Instructor: Dr. Yi-Ju Lai (Mondays) and Dr. Nic Gerpe (Wednesdays)
Tuition: $160
This course provides an introduction to piano playing in a group setting using digital keyboards and is designed for beginners with little to no prior experience. With an emphasis on ensemble playing, ear training, and building confidence through a collaborative and supportive learning environment; students develop fundamental keyboard skills, including note reading, rhythm, hand coordination, and basic music theory. All classes take place in the Technology Lab of the Learning Center. The final class meeting features an opportunity for students to showcase what they’ve learned.
Contact the PCM office at music@pasadenaconservatory.org or 626.683.3355 for more information.
July 9 – August 13, 2026
Thursdays: 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Instructor: Erika Walczak and Peter Jacobson
Tuition: $252
Students acquire ensemble technique while learning just enough about music theory, history, ear training, and healthy practice habits to support their development as a whole musician.