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: Charlie Gurke 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!

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: none 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.Class sections that are open to new students will appear with a “Register Now” button. All other classes are for continuing students only.

Beginning Vocal Ensemble Join this fun and supportive environment to learn basic vocal and breathing technique, how to support your tone, beginning note reading skills, simple harmonies, and rounds. This beginning singing class is designed for singers with little to no experience. It is focused on group singing, but also incorporates individual singing. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Instrument: Voices of all ranges Musical Styles: Folk, popular, jazz Instructor: Ellen RobinsonMask requirement: Masking is optional. For those who do choose to wear a mask, the Resonance 95 Singers Mask is recommended. It allows for fully opening your mouth and breathing deeply, both of which are necessary for proper singing.Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.

Intermediate/Advanced Vocal Ensemble For vocalists who love to harmonize in a wide variety of musical styles such as jazz, musical theater, and pop. Enjoy interacting with other singers in this lively chorus while continuing to develop your vocal technique, music reading skills, blending with other voices and your stage presence. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Instrument: Voices of all ranges, especially baritone and tenor Musical Styles: Jazz, Broadway, a cappella, pop Prerequisites: Music reading skills, the ability to sing in tune, and hold your own while singing in three-part harmony. Previous choral experience is a plus. Prior approval of instructor is required. Instructor: Ellen Robinson Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a 50% discount on this class tuition.Get to know Anything Goes! See photos/video from a recent performance here.Mask requirement: Masking is optional. For those who do choose to wear a mask, the Resonance 95 Singers Mask is recommended. It allows for fully opening your mouth and breathing deeply, both of which are necessary for proper singing.Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive 50% discount. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling.Online signup for this class is unavailable. Submit a Prerequisite Form to get started!

Private Lesson

Private Lesson

Private Lesson

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: Sandy Brassard 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.

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!

Learn beginning vocal technique and interpretive skills in a fun group setting. You’ll gain experience learning to sing in healthy ways by focusing on body alignment, breath management, and vowel formation. This class will support a student’s process in stylistically interpreting a piece of music through additional research and study. Topics and activities for classes include exploring the singing apparatus, vocalizing with exercises using scales and arpeggios, interpreting music and text, developing stage presence, and working with a collaborative pianist or backing track. Ages: Adults, older teens (high school students) Musical Styles: All styles are welcome Prerequisites: Students must be prepared to learn and memorize music and text Instructors: Michael Mohammed, Nicole Lumetta Students enrolled in private lessons at CMC receive a discount on class tuition. Please read CMC's registration policies before enrolling. This class prepares you for Vocal Harmony Workshop, Anything Goes Chorus, Great Songs of Soul and R&B, Gospel Vocal Ensemble and/or other mixed instrument ensembles that include vocals.

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!

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.

Private Lesson

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, Karlson Can, 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.