At PCM, students receive the highest-quality music instruction and find their musical home. Our mission is carried out through an array of programs taught by an accomplished faculty (78% hold a master’s degree in music, 45% of whom also have a doctorate). Instructional and performance activities at PCM annually benefit ~1,200 students aged 2 to 92 and are organized into 11 departments: Adult Studies, Chamber Music, Guitar, Jazz, Piano, Strings, Music Production and Composition, Vocal Arts, Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion, World Music, and Young Musicians (YM). Activities include:
– Weekly one-on-one instruction: lessons are 30, 45, and 60 minutes in length
– Group and ensemble classes: 1-2 hours long
– Master classes and workshops: Presented throughout the school year
– Performances (200+) by students, faculty, and guest artists: Presented throughout the school year

To extend our programs and promote our mission off campus, PCM partners with local schools, nonprofits, and businesses, with offerings including providing:
– Free, weekly, in-school YM classes for all students at a public elementary school in our neighborhood (currently Longfellow Elementary, a Title I school). Through YM at Longfellow, PCM provides standards-based, sequential music education (totaling ~1,100 classes annually) to all ~550 students.
– Free music appreciation classes and performances for residents at local retirement communities (Montecedro, Hollenbeck Palms).
– Free student, faculty, and guest artist events and performances (Pasadena Playhouse, Vroman’s, Huntington Library, Gamble House) for the public (12,500+) to enjoy.
– $125,000+ in scholarships awarded to students (65-75) who otherwise would not have the opportunity to pursue music study. The average need-based scholarship award is currently $1,890—equivalent to approximately 50% or more of the cost of tuition for year-long (36 weeks) private instruction.