We are open for in-person learning and continue to offer online lessons and classes.
Online classes and ensembles are labeled in the descriptions with the symbol:
Online Class đź’»
In this ensemble, students will be introduced and survey the vast diverse sounds from Peru. They will examine the history of the music and its most iconic artists and composers; learn and apply instrument appropriate roles; perform traditional and folk music including styles and rhythms such as: vals criollo, festejo, lando, marinera, huayno, and more. The class will examine stylistic considerations during performance, aspects of improvisation, and essential skills to perform well with others in any ensemble setting.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: All instruments: vocals, guitar, bass, percussion(Cajon),
Prerequisites: Instructor consent, proficiency on an instrument, knowledge of major scales
Class size: 4–6 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch; Tuesdays, 8:00–9:30pm*
Instructor: Erick Peralta
Tuition:$652 Fall (14 weeks), $652 Winter (14 weeks), $372 Spring (8 weeks), $372 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
*This class will not meet Fall Quarter 2023
This course is a continuation of the Tango for All! class. It is for those who want to learn Beginning Argentine Tango technique or already have some experience but want to review the basics. Beginner/Advanced Beginner students are admitted by audition only. Tango is about listening and moving as one in each other’s arms. Join award-winning teacher Sonja Riket, as she helps you connect with yourself, your partners, and the beautiful, rich Tango music from the Golden Era (1930–50s). With the basic steps of the three styles and rhythms of the Argentine Tango, we will learn how to feel the music in our bodies and express it through our movements in an improvised dance. Cultural and historical elements will be woven into the teachings. After a long and worldwide professional dance career, Sonja Riket has taught Tango for 23 years in the SF Bay Area. IntimateEmbraceTango.com
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Your body and comfortable low heel shoes with leather or suede soles (no rubber soles or sneakers)
Musical Styles: Tango, Vals, Milonga
Prerequisites: Admission with instructor’s consent. Contact Sonja Riket for more details: (415) 661-1852.
Class size: 4–10
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Mondays, 6:30–8:00pm
Instructor: Sonja Riket, Argentine Tango Teacher and Somatic Movement Therapist®
Tuition: $652 Fall (14 weeks), $652 Winter (14 weeks), $372 Spring (8 weeks), $372 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
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Learn, perform, and hone your skills playing all styles of popular Cuban and Cuban-inspired dance music, including cha-cha-chá, danzón, guaracha, songo, timba, bolero, son-montuno, salsa, and other Afro-Cuban popular dance music. Charanga, or Tipica ensembles, ensembles incorporate violin and flute (usually instead of brass instruments, although trumpets and trombones are often used in modern charanga), along with bass, piano, vocals, and Afro-Cuban percussion. In this advanced class, students will learn and perform modern and traditional charanga music, learn about Cuban music history in a performance-focused environment, much like professional band rehearsals.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Voice, woodwinds, brass, violin, cello, bass, piano, and percussion (bongo, congas, guiro, claves, and timbales)
Musical Styles: Cuban salsa, charanga, and other Afro-Cuban music
Prerequisites: Proficiency on an instrument, reading skills, and interest in Latin music. Pianists should be able to play basic montunos and bassists should be able to play tumbao. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 6–15 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Wednesdays, 7:15–8:45pm
Instructor: Tregar Otton
Tuition:Â $652 Fall (14 weeks), $652 Winter (14 weeks), $372 Spring (8 weeks), $372 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Sign Up
This class is designed for musicians that would like to learn about the basics of Cuban music and Salsa music. We will discuss rhythms that are key to Afro-Cuban music, including how clave and percussion parts relate to each instrument’s role, and improvisation within the style. We will also focus on learning the form of Cuban dance music, the historical context, and how different dances influence and fit into the musical form. Students will learn the key rhythms of Cuban danzón, cha-cha-chá, and son montuno as well as how to approach improvisation in Cuban music. Instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Voice, woodwinds, brass, violin, cello, bass, piano, and percussion (bongo, congas, guiro, claves, and timbales)
Musical Styles: Cha-cha-chá, danzón, guaracha, bolero, son, songo, timba, salsa, and other Afro-Cuban music
Prerequisites: Proficiency on an instrument, reading skills, and interest in Latin music. Admission with instructor’s consent.
Class Size: 4–8 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Wednesdays, 5:30–7:00pm
Instructor: Tregar Otton
Tuition:Â $652 Fall (14 weeks), $652 Winter (14 weeks), $372 Spring (8 weeks), $372 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Sign Up
In this ensemble, students will learn and apply instrument-appropriate roles, to perform and improvise within a Latin jazz context, drawing from traditions from the Caribbean and Latin America. Students will gain experience in interpreting traditional and contemporary Latin jazz repertoire that draws from son, guaracha, cha-cha-cha, mambo, bembe from Cuba, bomba, plena, jibaro from Puerto Rico, samba, partido alto, choro from Brazil, and more. The class will examine stylistic considerations during performance, aspects of improvisation, and essential skills to perform well with others in any ensemble setting.
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Woodwinds, brass, strings, and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums)
Prerequisites: Instructor consent, proficiency on an instrument, knowledge of major scales
Class size: 4–10 students
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch; Thursdays, 8:15–9:45pm
Instructor: Erick Peralta
Tuition:$652 Fall (14 weeks), $652 Winter (14 weeks), $372 Spring (8 weeks), $372 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Sign Up
Explore the unique style and techniques of Argentine Tango. Students will use arrangements of classic tangos to learn musical, rhythmic and stylistic elements of tango performance practice and ensemble playing. Students will also learn a form of tango improvisation called “A La Parrilla.”
Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students)
Instruments: Strings, winds, fretted instruments, piano, and accordion
Musical Styles: Tango, Vals, Milonga
Prerequisites: 2 years of instrument study or competency on your instrument
Class size: 4–10
Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch, Mondays, 7:30–9:00pm
Instructor: Scott O’Day
Tuition:Â $652 Fall (14 weeks), $652 Winter (14 weeks), $372 Spring (8 weeks), $372 Summer (8 weeks)
Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount.
Sign Up
If you’d like to be matched with other students in a small Latin music ensemble or receive coaching for an existing group, please fill out a Chamber Music Inquiry Form.
