The Young Musicians Tree

A comprehensive plan for your child’s musical growth

Tree illustration
Labels for tree illustration

2022–2023 Schedule

August 29, 2022 – June 5, 2023
Annual Tuition: $936
Material fee: $15–$20

  • YM 1

    Thursdays
    10:00 am
    Sharon Weed

    Saturdays
    10:30 am
    Sharon Weed

    More Info & Register

  • YM 2

    Saturdays
    11:30 am
    Sharon Weed

    More Info & Register

  • YM 3

    Fridays
    10:00 am
    Mary Alonso

    Saturdays
    9:00 am
    Mary Alonso

    Saturdays
    9:30 am

    Sharon Weed

    More Info & Register

  • YM 4

    Thursdays
    3:00 pm
    Rachael Denny

    Saturdays
    10:00am
    Mary Alonso

    More Info & Register

  • YM 5

    Thursdays
    4:00 pm
    Rachael Denny

    Saturdays
    11:00 am
    Mary Alonso

    More Info & Register

  • Bridge to Strings

    Mondays
    4:00 pm
    Rachael Denny and Natalie Brejcha

  • Bridge to Piano I

    Tuesdays
    4:00 pm
    Rachael Denny and Steve Cook

    Saturdays
    9:00 am
    Rachael Denny and Renee Gilormini

    More Info & Register

  • YM Ensemble

    Wednesdays
    4:00 pm
    Rachael Denny

    More Info & Register

  • Bridge to Piano II

    Saturdays
    10:00 am
    Rachael Denny and Renee Gilormini

    More Info & Register

Summer 2023 Schedule

Class Descriptions

Research has shown that babies prefer the sound of their caregivers’ voices over any other kind of music. YM Infants class, for children ages 4–11 months, is a special opportunity for babies and caregivers to bond through musical experiences including musical massage, bouncing, swaying, playing instruments, and singing.

See above for current schedule.

Enrollment is for the entire school year. Annual tuition includes 36 weeks of instruction.

In a playful and creative musical setting, toddlers naturally internalize the elements of music. As they listen, sing, dance, move and play a variety of small percussion instruments, they demonstrate that they are absorbing musical content. Beat competence, singing and rhythmic responses become visible. Puppets, stories, and colorful props stimulate the child’s musical imagination.

Weekly classes are offered multiple times during the week. See above for current schedule.

Enrollment is for the entire school year. Annual tuition includes 36 weeks of instruction.

Toddlers’ emerging musicality is evident as they begin singing parts of songs and as they demonstrate conscious responses to rhythms, timbres, and the expressive qualities of the music they are hearing. Toddlers sing, dance, and learn to play a variety of small percussion instruments in meaningful and musical ways.

Weekly classes are offered multiple times during the week. See above for current schedule.

Enrollment is for the entire school year. Annual tuition includes 36 weeks of instruction.

In YM 3, a longer class length is introduced and reflects the child’s growing attention span and ability to focus on musical activities. Singing, dancing, playing percussion instruments, colorful props, stories, and movement activities foster the child’s emerging independence and musical imagination as children develop concentration, coordination, and a positive sense of themselves as musicians.

Weekly classes are offered multiple times during the week. See above for the current schedule.

Enrollment is for the entire school year. Annual tuition includes 36 weeks of instruction.

YM 4 classes engage children in activities that strengthen their emerging understanding of music as a language. Children learn to recognize melodic and rhythmic patterns through singing, chanting, dancing, and creating. Students will have opportunities to play a wide variety of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments.

Weekly classes are offered multiple times during the week. See above for the current schedule.

Enrollment is for the entire school year. Annual tuition includes 36 weeks of instruction.

Singing, rhyming, creative movement, and folk dancing complement the beginnings of rhythmic notation and identifying melodic patterns. In YM 5, ensemble training and creative improvisation begins as children sing and play together using a wide variety of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments. Performing for an audience is also introduced.

Weekly classes are offered multiple times during the week. See above for the current schedule.

Enrollment is for the entire school year. Annual tuition includes 36 weeks of instruction.

In YM 6, students experience playful music making, with more independence and opportunities for creative expression. Students review and expand on the tonal and rhythmic literacy skills taught in previous YM classes. Students use their greater literacy skills to play in ensembles using a variety of classroom instruments, as well as to create their own accompaniments to songs.

Weekly classes are offered multiple times during the week. See above for the current schedule.

Enrollment is for the entire school year. Annual tuition includes 36 weeks of instruction.

In Piano Bridge 1, students will have the opportunity to both experience making music through PCM’s YM 5 and 6 curriculum and to learn the fundamentals of piano. Students will sing, move, and play and use their musical knowledge as they learn about the piano keyboard, rhythm and melody reading, and playing along together. Students who take this course as 5–6 year olds will be better prepared to begin piano lessons in the piano department the following school year.

Weekly classes are offered multiple time during the week. See above for the current schedule.

Enrollment is for the entire school year. Annual tuition includes 36 weeks of instruction.

For students ages 6–8, Piano Bridge 2 follows the same curriculum as Piano Bridge 1, but allows for older children to proceed at a faster pace as their developmental skills allow. This class is an excellent first step to piano lessons in a less strenuous practice setting.

Enrollment is for the entire school year. Annual tuition includes 36 weeks of instruction.

String Musicianship is for beginning Suzuki students and caregivers, ages 4-6 years, who are not yet ready for the Book 1 Suzuki group class. String Musicianship fosters development in essential musical foundational skills such as beat, rhythm, pitch awareness, group movement, and both fine and gross motor coordination. In String Musicianship, students have the opportunity to experience a group class environment and caregivers take a small group seminar with a Suzuki instructor where they can discuss practice, pedagogy, and partnering with their child(ren) to make lessons more enjoyable and effective. Students must be enrolled in private lessons with a Suzuki string teacher.

Weekly classes are offered multiple time during the week. See above for the current schedule.

*For students currently enrolled in private lessons at PCM

Session 1: July 8 | Session 2: July 15 | Session 3: July 22
Saturdays: 12:00 – 12:45 pm
Instructor: Dr. Yuri Inoo
Tuition: $32 each session

Students build instruments using household items, recycling materials, and found objects to create their own beats. This class is an opportunity for students to improve their rhythmic skills while having fun. Ages 4 – 6.

June 24 – August 12 (8 weeks)
Saturdays: 11:00 – 11:45 am
Instructor: Sherry Luchette
Tuition: $208

Jazz Kittens 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.

Age 5–8. No prior experience required.

Register here

July 10 – 14
Monday – Friday: 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Instructor: Dr. Yuri Inoo
Tuition: $130

Join percussion teacher, Dr. Yuri Inoo, for her rhythmic jam! Wake up your inner desire to bang and groove with friends. Students learn to improve time, rhythm, and ensemble-playing skills while drumming on buckets of all sizes. No prior drum experience required. Age 7 – 10.

Information for New Families

Placement

The placement in a class is based on the child’s age as of September 1st. Enrollment for the entire school year is required.

Parents Attend

In the class levels YM Infants through YM 6, a parent or caregiver must attend class with the child. Parents learn how children develop musically and how to encourage musical experiences at home to enhance and reinforce what is learned in class.

Required Trial Class

Before enrolling in any of the Young Musician’s classes for the first time, a free trial class is required.

To make an appointment, call 626.683.3355 or e-mail music@pasadenaconservatory.org.

Resources

The Young Musicians Handbook

A guide to getting the most out of the Young Musicians program.

Download a pdf version.

Young Musician Handbook brochure

Playlist

PCM faculty perform favorite songs from the Young Musicians curriculum.

A Ram Sam Sam

Aiken Drum

Hop Ol' Squirrel

The Old Grey Cat

Fiddle-i-Fee

Hickory Dickory Dock

My Hat, It Has Three Corners

Naughty Kitty Cat

Over the River

Over in the Meadow