CMC Sparks: Beginning Youth Music Classes

Private Lesson

Explore a standard jazz repertoire in a dynamic, participatory setting. The advanced ensemble plays the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, and others; with emphasis on communicating as an ensemble, improvising, phrasing, groove, and dynamics to make the music come alive. There will be a culminating performance at Community Music Center at the end of each quarter. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Instruments: Brass, woodwinds, strings and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums) Musical Styles: Jazz standards, be-bop, blues, Latin jazz Prerequisites: Proficiency on an instrument, mastery of scales, and prior experience in improvisation. Admission with instructor’s consent. New students will be asked to audition. Instructor: Patrick Greene Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.Online signup for this class is unavailable. Submit a Prerequisite Form to get started!

Afro-Peruvian Cajon

In this class participants will learn about the history of the Afro-Peruvian Cajon (wooden box drum), and will learn to play Afro-Peruvian rhythms on the Cajon. The Afro-Peruvian Cajon has become a symbol of identity and cultural pride for Peruvians. Currently it is the most popular instrument in Peru, practically every family on the Peruvian coast has a Cajon at home that is part of their celebrations. Furthermore, we can recognize the versatility of this instrument that has allowed it to successfully position itself in world music, being one of the most used alternatives in the percussion sets of various artists Instruments: Cajon (percussion) Musical Styles: Afro-Peruvian Ages: Adults and older teens Prerequisites: In the 6:15 section, prior experience playing the cajon and reading Latin rhythms is required. No prior experience is required for the 7:45 class. Teacher: Pierr Padilla Cajons will be provided during class sessions. If students have their own cajon, they are welcome to bring it! Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.

Banjo

Private Lesson

Bass (acoustic)

Private Lesson

Bass (electric)

Private Lesson

Beginning Group Guitar for Adults

Learn chords, simple strums, and tuning in a fun, relaxed group setting. You’ll be introduced to the basic elements of rhythm and harmony that will help you to play music right away! Guitar 1 is for the absolute beginner.Students will learn:Basic open position chords: A, D, E, G, C, Am, Em, A7, B7, D7, E7, G7Basic strums in 4/4 and 3/4 timeI-IV-V tunes in A, D, G, and EKnowledge of how to read a “lead sheet”The desire to keep playingAges: Adults and older teens (high school students) Instruments: Guitar Musical Styles: Diverse, based on participant interests Prerequisites: none Instructor: Dylan DiMartini Size: 4-6 studentsThis class prepares you for Guitar Group Class - Learning Songs, Bluegrass Jam, Blues Workshop and other Group Guitar and Mixed Instrument ensemblesStudents enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.

Beginning Jazz Ensemble

CMC offers jazz ensembles for players of all levels. Explore jazz repertoire in a dynamic, participatory setting.The Beginning Jazz Ensemble focuses on building standard repertoire, improvisation concepts, and developing ensemble skills. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Instruments: Brass, woodwinds, strings and rhythm section (piano, guitar, bass and drums) Musical Styles: Jazz standards, be-bop, blues, Latin jazz Prerequisites: Proficiency on an instrument, knowledge of scales, and some experience in improvisation. Instructors: Erick Peralta, Charlie Gurke, David Steinberg, Max Miller-LoranStudents enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.Online signup for this class is unavailable. Submit a Prerequisite Form to get started!

Blues Workshop

This Electric Blues workshop will introduce students to the wide variety of blues grooves that one might encounter at a blues jam. We'll listen and learn from the recordings performed by the original artists that define a particular groove e.g., a Magic Sam boogie, an Albert King blues rhumba/mambo, a Jimmy Reed shuffle, a B.B. King jump blues, a Muddy Waters 'mojo' groove, a Lowell Fulson 'tramp' groove, and much more. Ensemble playing and individual improvisation will be encouraged with a focus on group interaction and the supporting role each individual instrument plays in establishing the groove. Ages: adult, older teens (high school) Instruments: guitar (electric), bass (electric), piano, drums, brass/woodwinds Prerequisites: Intermediate playing proficiency on your instrument, ability to play 7th and 9th chords (barred for guitars), have some major scale and blues scale knowledge, read a simple chord chart Instructor: Larry Dunn Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.Online signup for this class is unavailable. Submit a Prerequisite Form to get started!

Brazilian Candomblé Drumming

Learn traditional Afro Brazilian rhythms in a unique group setting. You will have a chance to study the techniques that makeup this musical language which has influenced other well known Brazilian musical styles such as samba and samba reggae. While some techniques are similar to that of the conga or djembe, the hand and stick techniques in this tradition will lead you into new sonic territories. This class will introduce you to many duplet and triplet based rhythms along with areas that are a mixture of the two and exist in between common rhythmic divisions. Students will gain insight into how this music fits into the song and dance context and how these elements combine to create a captivating atmosphere which is an essential cultural practice linking West Africa to the Americas. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Musical Styles: All styles are welcome Prerequisites: Students must be prepared to learn and memorize several rhythmic patterns along with several hand and stick techniques Instructor: Robert Lopez Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.

Camp CMC

An Ensemble Camp for Young Musicians Make great music and new friends at Community Music Center this summer! Camp CMC offers young musicians the chance to play in small and large groups and explore many musical styles such as Latin, jazz, classical, blues, folk, rock, American songbook, and klezmer. Students are grouped into ensembles by instrument and level and learn general musicianship skills with rhythm and pitch games, playing percussion instruments, singing and movement, culminating in a performance at the end of the week. Ages: 9–14 Instruments: All instruments, and voice Styles of music studied: Classical, Latin, jazz, other Prerequisites: Minimum two years of study on an instrument and concurrent enrollment in private lessons (not necessarily at CMC). Vocal students may fulfill the requirement by participating in chorus or glee club. Students will be asked to send a 2–3 minute video of a scale and favorite solo piece to the camp director as a placement audition. Camp size: A maximum of 25 students working in large and small ensembles Location, Day and Time: Mission District Branch; Monday–Friday, June 15–19, 2026, 9:00am–3:00pm Faculty: Katie Wreede, Director; David Steinberg, Coach additional faculty TBA Tuition: $520 early bird pricing before February 28, 2026; or $565 after February 28, 2026. Tuition includes a $150 non-refundable deposit. Tuition Assistance is available. Additional Information:How to enroll: Please fill out the Camp CMC Questionnaire to submit your information and follow the links to pay your deposit online. The Camp Director will contact you after you submit your application with information about how to prepare and send the 2–3 minute audition video. Payment: A $150 non-refundable deposit is due with your application to hold your spot and request an audition. In the event that your child is not accepted into camp, a full refund including the deposit will be made. For students who are accepted to camp, this deposit is non-refundable If you do not pay for the entire camp tuition at registration, the remainder of your fee will be due by May 9, 2026. Outstanding balances will be automatically charged on May 9, 2026 to the stored account added during registration. If you wish to pay using a different payment method, please make the payment before the pay-in-full date.  If you would like to change your payment method, please contact us. Registrations not paid in full by May 9, 2026 may be canceled and the spot opened to our waitlist.  Registrations after May 9, 2026 must be paid in full at the time of registration and are nonrefundable.To apply for tuition assistance, please submit a Tuition Assistance Application Form and accompanying documents.The application deadline is May 9, 2026 for all CMC camps, but we recommend applying early to ensure placement. Because camp is designed around the exact number of campers attending, we are unable to issue refunds after May 9, 2026. Prior to the May 9 deadline, please send refund requests to ssherman@sfcmc.org. “Performing at the end of camp was fun! I wasn’t nervous because I knew what to do.” —CMC camper

Cello

Private Lesson

Chamber Music Ensemble

Whether you are an advanced beginner or an accomplished amateur musician, CMC’s chamber music program offers an opportunity to develop your musicianship and technique as well as the chance to play with others. Groups are composed of three to five students of compatible levels. Advanced beginners and intermediate students will focus on developing basic ensemble skills, intonation, tone quality, and rhythmic accuracy. Advanced students will study important aspects of ensemble playing, including interpretation and performance techniques. For those who are new to music we have an Intro to Chamber Music class to learn the various ways chamber musicians communicate, listening tuning and ensemble skills necessary for a successful chamber experience. Groups are formed for students of varying degrees of experience and can include piano, strings, and winds musicians This is a great opportunity to create lasting friendships as well as great performing groups! Pre-formed groups are highly encouraged! Ensembles who would like to perform will have the opportunity to sign up for a regular CMC recital. Ages: Adults, Older Teens (high school students) Instruments: All and voice Musical Styles: All Prerequisites: Students should have at least two years of experience playing their instrument. Placement auditions for new students take place at the beginning of each quarter in order to create groups who play at similar levels. Beginning students should be familiar with key signature with up to three sharps and flats, and basic rhythms including eighth notes. Class size: 3–5 students Instructors: Josepha Fath, Diane Grubbe, Leo Baluk, Michaela Overall, Monika Gruber Gibbons, Katrina Wreede, Shirley Wong-Frentzel, Ben Snellings, Lilia Zheltova Location, Day, and Time: Mission District Branch OR Richmond District Branch. Hour-long rehearsals/coachings are scheduled based on mutual availability.Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read Community Music Center's registration policies before enrolling.For more information, please contact: Katrina Wreede, Chamber Music Coordinator: kwreede@sfcmc.org Online signup for this class is unavailable. Please fill out the Chamber Music Inquiry Form to get started.

Chinese Instruments

Private Lesson

Clarinet

Private Lesson

A new program that teaches beginning music and instrumental fundamentals in a fun group environment.

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