Pasadena Conservatory of Music

11/01/2024

We are excited to share that, thanks to the matching challenge and our generous community of parents, students, faculty, and donors, PCM has successfully achieved and surpassed our $11M campaign goal!

This project and its message – that music brings people together – have resonated with many and inspired unprecedented levels of support for our school. Thank you for the important role you have played in helping us build Common Ground.

10/31/2024

Happy Halloween!

PCM's Suzuki groups performed the Theme from the Witches' Dance by Paganini in costume earlier this week.

10/30/2024

On Sunday, October 13, Rachael Denny led a Musical Storytime featuring performances by PCM students and various children's stories at the Gamble House.

Students pictured:
Olivia Hsu (8), violin
Terence Lee (10), piano

10/29/2024

Christopher studied piano with Polli Chambers-Salazar and chamber music with Susan Svrček at PCM for much of his youth before graduating in 2007. He is now a lauded pianist who has performed in major cities worldwide and held residencies at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. He holds graduate degrees from Julliard and Yale and is completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. This summer he started as a full-time piano faculty at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.

Christopher looks forward to returning to PCM this fall. Join us on November 9 for a masterclass and solo recital.

Read more about what Christopher is up to on our blog at

Blog Christopher Goodpasture Alumni Voices Christopher Goodpasture October 29, 2024 Christopher studied piano with Susan Svrček at PCM for much of his youth before graduating in 2007. He is now a lauded pianist who has performed in major cities worldwide and held residencies at the Cité Internatio...

10/25/2024

Don't miss PCM at Vroman's free Musical Storytime on Saturday, November 2 at 11:30 am!

Led by Young Musicians Department Chair, Rachael Denny, PCM students and faculty perform and read “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything”. Caregivers and children aged 3-9 enjoy story, craft activities, creative movement, and a mini-concert.

10/23/2024

*A Retirement Announcement from PCM*

Stephen McCurry has announced that he will retire in August 2025 after building the school into a national leader in community music education.

“It has been the honor of my career to serve as PCM’s Executive Director,” said Stephen McCurry. “Over the past 34 years, we – our exceptional faculty, staff, board, supporters, students, and families – have accomplished a great deal together. With the completion of our ambitious Common Ground campaign in sight, PCM is about to embark on an exciting, new chapter. As we enter this new phase, it feels like the right time to transition to a new generation of leadership with the vision and passion to build on PCM’s outstanding history of growth and contributions to our community.”

Read the full announcement on our blog at pasadenaconservatory.org/blog/2024/10/executive-director-stephen-mccurry-to-retire/

10/21/2024

On Sunday, October 6 we kicked off the Wicked GOAT season with music inspired by our furry, feathered, and fishy friends.

Pictured:
Hosts Katelyn Vahala and Nic Gerpe
Yuri Inoo and Maggie Parkins playing Sea Monkey by Sarah Gibbons
Katelyn Vahala and Aron Kallay playing wgah’nahl fhtagn for piano 4-hands and toy piano by Thomas Kotcheff

10/18/2024

PCM and the Fine Arts Club of Pasadena are proud to announce current high school senior, Arturo Solorzano, as the recipient of the 2024-2025 Roman Andrew Borek Endowed Scholarship. Arturo has studied guitar at PCM under the guidance of Adam Pettit since 2014 and has participated in guitar chamber music and masterclasses with Artist-Teacher Scott Tennant and Douglas Lora.

Read more about Arturo and the Roman Andrew Borek Endowed Scholarship on our blog at pasadenaconservatory.org/blog/2024/10/announcing-the-2024-2025-roman-andrew-borek-scholar/

Blog Announcing the 2024-2025 Roman Andrew Borek Scholar Around the Conservatory Announcing the 2024-2025 Roman Andrew Borek Scholar October 17, 2024 PCM and the Fine Arts Club of Pasadena are proud to announce current high school senior, Arturo Solanzo, as the recipient of the 2024-2025 Roman Andre...

10/16/2024

PCM student Ethan Yule (17), piano, and Peter Gemus, bass, performed Jimmy McHugh's "Don't Blame Me" at the Honors Recital last Spring. Ethan studies jazz piano with Amy Rowe.

Watch the entire recital on our YouTube channel.

10/11/2024

Fifteen year old Lily Walker is a high school student and the daughter of PCM faculty, Melissa Frey. She began her journey at PCM in the Young Musicians program in 2014, went on to study piano, and then began studying the French horn with Danielle Ondarza.

Since then she’s participated in events including the Horn Intensive at Interlochen in Michigan, the All-State and All-Southern Symphonic Band, and the SCSBOA High School Wind Ensemble; was the youngest finalist in the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts’s Instrumental Competition; and performed in PCM’s 2024 Honors Recital.

Read more on our blog at https://pasadenaconservatory.org/blog/2024/10/lily-walker-2/

10/09/2024

PCM faculty Ismael Guerrero Bombut (cello) and Bryan Fasola (guitar) perform Libertango by Astor Piazzolla at Pasadena Conservatory of Music's presentation of Pedagogues and Protégés last Spring.

Don't miss this season's first Musical Interludes concert on Saturday, October 19 at 4 pm. Purchase your tickets using the link in our bio.

10/08/2024

Student News!
PCM student, Jamie Wu (13) recently made first chair with her school band and with the PYSO Symphony! Jamie studies flute with Barbara Mullens Geier.

Congratulations Jamie!

10/04/2024

Elissa Johnston (soprano) and Katelyn Vahala (piano) perform Rosa de Sal at Wicked GOAT | Stories earlier this year.

Wicked GOAT | Animals *SOLD OUT* is this Sunday, October 6. There will be a first come, first served standby list on the day of the concert. The list will open 30 minutes prior to showtime and we will inform those on the list if we can get them in (seated or standing room) shortly before the concert begins.

10/02/2024

Brian Barany plays Vals, Op. 8 No. 4, by Agustín Barrios.

Don't miss PCM faculty, Dr. Brian Barany, Dr. Bryan Fasola, Dr. Adam Pettit, Juri Yun, and Scott Tennant perform classical works at the Guitar Faculty Concert on October 13 at 4 pm.

09/30/2024

Siblings Saren, Patill, and George Daghlian are all PCM and Caltech alumni and current doctoral students.

Read about the amazing things the Daghlian's are up to in the recent installment of Caltech's "Stories of Impact" at initiativeforstudents.caltech.edu/story-listings/the-daghlian-trio/.

09/27/2024

Meet husband and wife, Erik and Barbara Antonsson, two of Elizabeth Babor’s adult piano students. Barbara has been a student of Elizabeth for 10 years with no prior musical experience. Through observation of Barbara’s progress and having a connection with Elizabeth, three months ago, Erik was inspired to take lessons as well. Erik and Barbara are a constant source of encouragement for each other. They tell the story of their musical journey and how it has greatly benefited their lives.

Read more on our blog at https://pasadenaconservatory.org/blog/2024/09/barbara-and-erik-antonsson/

09/26/2024

Don’t miss your chance for a sneak peek at PCM’s Common Ground project. There are only two dates left!

Saturday, Sept. 28 | 9 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 11:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.

Informational tours include refreshments. Closed toe shoes required.

Sign up using the link below!

https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=3264d5d7-e5e9-47b3-917f-da3118357301&envId=p-P4-TgqqvT0ecBoP3J8C1xw&zone=usa

09/25/2024

This season, PCM presents three Musical Interludes concerts inspired by scenes and sounds from the natural world: Water, Night, and Forest.

From Amy Beach’s By the Still Waters to the stormy currents of Claude Debussy’s La mer, our opening concert on October 19 at 4 p.m. features works evoking a variety of waterscapes.

Click the link below to purchase your ticket! Reservation required.

Tickets include a post-concert wine and hors d’oeuvres reception in the Courtyard. Food provided by Julienne Fine Foods.

https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=06b8b1b2-cbe7-44d0-8add-eb6c31dd38c4&envId=p-P4-TgqqvT0ecBoP3J8C1xw&zone=usa

09/23/2024

Don't miss PCM at Vroman's free Musical Storytime on Saturday, October 5 at 11:30 am!

Led by Young Musicians Department Chair, Rachael Denny, PCM students and faculty perform and read “Freight Train”. Caregivers and children aged 3-9 enjoy story, craft activities, creative movement, and a mini-concert.

09/20/2024

Musical Storytime resumed inside Vroman's Bookstore on Saturday, September 7. Rachael Denny read "My Many Colored Days", while caregivers and children enjoyed crafts, creative movement, and a mini-concert by PCM students.

Don't miss the next Musical Storytime on October 5!

09/18/2024

Wicked GOAT Season 3 kicks off with music inspired by our furry, feathered, fishy friends… and perhaps a mythical, scary sea creature! From Juhi Bansal’s piano trio Wings, depicting imaginary birds in flight, to Sarah Gibson’s Sea Monkey and Thomas Kotcheff’s wgah’nahl fhtagn, to George Crumb’s musical portraits of the family dogs in Mundus Canis, this program is all about animals.

Featuring performances by PCM faculty Nic Gerpe, Katelyn Vahala, Tereza Stanislav, Adam Pettit, Yuri Inoo, and special guests Charlie Tyler, Maggie Parkins and Aron Kallay, this show promises to be a musical treat for your ears. So come, sit, stay, listen and enjoy the first concert of Wicked GOAT on Sunday, October 6 at 4 pm! Click the link below to reserve your free ticket.

Reserve your ticket early as Wicked GOAT tends to sell out fast!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wicked-goat-animals-tickets-1000951391557?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/16/2024

In collaboration with the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, The Huntington presents Music in the Rose Garden performances featuring a rotating set of solo and duo performers on various instruments, including violin, cello, and guitar. Don’t miss the unique opportunity to wander through the breathtaking Rose Garden while listening to live music on Mondays at 1 pm this Fall, starting September 23!

09/13/2024

Cece McIntyre spent 8 years at PCM studying violin with Elizabeth Hedman, piano with Elizabeth Babor, and participating in PCM’s chamber music program. Since graduating from PCM in 2022, she moved to Chicago before attending DePaul University’s School of Music. She recently spent the summer at Meadowmount, a seven-week-long practice intensive in upstate New York. Click below to learn about her experiences with these programs and how she reflects on her time at PCM.

Blog Cece McIntyre Alumni Voices Cece McIntyre September 12, 2024 Cece McIntyre spent 8 years at PCM studying violin with Elizabeth Hedman, piano with Elizabeth Babor, and participating in PCM’s chamber music program. Since graduating from PCM in 2022, she moved to Chicago before attending DePaul ...

09/11/2024

Don't miss PCM's final Friday Nights at the Gamble House on Friday, September 15 at 5:30 pm!

Explore the first floor of the Gamble House with docents available to answer questions in each room. Savor wine flights poured by West Altadena Wine + Spirits, bring a blanket and pack a picnic to enjoy while listening to live music by PCM.

Purchase your ticket at the Gamble House website: https://gamblehouse.org/mec-events/friday-nights-at-the-gamble-house-with-highland-park-wine/

09/09/2024

Arlene Meadows is taking the first step in her next musical adventure by signing up for drum lessons with PCM percussion instructor Yuri Inoo. Arlene has limited finger mobility, so drums are the perfect instrument for her. The coordination required by the drum set is appealing to her because it will be so different from anything she has done before. Also, drums are just really fun!