PCM Families
Zohreh, Kathleen, Megan, Aimee, Melissa and Ray Wong
 |
Our four daughters, Aimee, Megan, Kathleen, and Melissa all started their music study at a very early age. We recall taking Aimee and Megan to PCM when the classes were held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church on Lake Ave. Later, Kathleen and then Melissa started to attend PCM at the new site on Hill Ave.
Aimee started playing piano at age 6 and then began playing the violin at the age of 8. She was a member of the Sojourn Quartet at PCM and studied violin with Rosemary Krovoza and Erika Walczak. Aimee graduated from Westmont College in May 2010, with double majors in Music and Sociology; Human Services. Aimee is currently serving as an Administrative Intern with the International Justice Mission in Southeast Asia. Although Aimee is away from family and friends back at home, she continues to play her violin and share her music with her co-workers and newly made friends and while serving during church worship services.
“Music has taught me diligence and the value of hard work and setting goals. It has shown me how truly deep and complicated human beings are, and it has given me some of the best friendships that I will always cherish.” - Aimee Wong
Megan started playing the piano at age 6 and then began playing the viola at age 8. She was a member of the Sojourn Quartet at PCM and studied viola with Rosemary Krovoza. Megan is currently a senior at Westmont College majoring in Music Performance and plans to continue her graduate studies in music after graduation in May 2011. In the Summer of 2010, Megan traveled to Thailand and Cambodia with a study group and while volunteering at an orphanage in Phnom Phen, she taught music and singing to the children.
“My experiences at PCM have been a long list of priceless lessons. I've grown in my experience as a musician and in my maturity as a person. I've made wonderful friends and Mrs. Krovoza, the wisest and most effective teacher I've ever had the privilege of learning from, has guided me every step of the way.” - Megan Wong
Kathleen started playing the piano at age 5 and then began playing the cello at age 8. She studied cello with Jim Lee and Sharon Harman for chamber music groups. Kathleen was a member of several chamber groups at PCM. She also played in the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Temple City High school orchestra. Kathleen is in her freshman year at Westmont College, majoring in kinesiology and playing with the Westmont orchestra.
Melissa started playing the piano at age 4 and then began playing the violin at age 8. She studied the violin with Leo Kitajima and now with Sharon Harman. Melissa also plays in the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Temple City High school orchestra and is an active member with her church worship team.
Learn more about The Wongs
Cameron and Cole Slater; Dorinda Marticorena and Steve Slater
 |
Cole Slater: “The teachers are so nice and fun. I enjoy playing with them (and the other students) in group class and in private lessons."
Dorinda Marticorena: “My boys have literally grown up at PCM having both started cello lessons when they were about 4½ years old. Their wonderful teacher, Julie Newton, captivates them when she tells them to imagine their bow as a “light saber” and encourages them with her warmth and personal belief in their potential. When friends come to visit our home and see the three cellos proudly displayed off the living room I say “well, one cello is just not enough.”
Steve Slater: “In 2004 when we started cello instruction at PCM, I would not have predicted we'd still be here since kids outgrow and change interests and hobbies routinely. Yet here we are going on our 7th year now, with both boys and even me playing cello. Because PCM instruction is a year-round endeavor, cello has become a very integral part of our lives -- more so than other seasonal extracurriculars. The kids' willingness to continue is due 100% to the teaching staff at PCM, which makes playing cello fun and productive. The boys hear and see their own growth, which makes them more confident and independent. It also makes listening to the music they play fun for parents. Whether or not our kids grow up to be concert cellists, the program is giving them an invaluable understanding of music, teaching the value of hard work and an teaching them to play in front of a crowd with alacrity.
“It is also worth noting that neither parent has any particular musical prowess, so don't let that stop you from checking out PCM.”
Learn more about The Slaters
The Galeana Family
 |
“We can't imagine what would become of Lesly without the Conservatory. It's her life! She is passionate about her music and it was a blessing to have found the Conservatory. Our daughter's life evolves around music and to one day have her be a professional would be a dream, a dream that will one day come true thanks to the help from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music." -Betra and Erasmo Galeana-Ojeda
Learn more about The Galeanas
Raymond Kwan, Marla Felber, Anya and Anson
 |
“We have been a PCM family for 12 years; we even remember the old location in Pasadena in the church hall. Both our children were in the Music for Young Children Program and then proceeded to select instruments to study. Our oldest child Anya has studied violin for eight years and our youngest child Anson has studied viola for two years.
“Anya has had three different teachers at PCM. We have found all of them to be wonderful. Each of them has been the 'right fit' for her at the level she was developmentally and guided her to grow in her playing.
“We think the single biggest asset PCM has is their Friday night recitals. Our youngest child, Anson was performance shy. With his teacher's encouragement, he performed last year every 6 to 8 weeks on Friday nights. Not only did this help his playing ability but gave him greater self-confidence.
“Secondly, where else can you hear professional musicians play for free? Anson selected the viola because he heard Ms. Fogg playing the viola at a concert and decided he too wanted to play the viola.”
Learn more about The Kwans
Laurie, Rob, Alex and Veronica Mansour
 |
“I can't really remember too much of our family life before we found PCM. What I do know is that our lives have been forever changed and enriched by our experiences here. I have a vivid memory of taking my 3 year old son to his first Young Musicians class where I watched as a magical light turned on within him. My daughter soon followed suit, and they have been "musicians" ever since. It's hard to believe it's been 9 years , and 3 instruments are still going strong. Who knew our lives would be filled with chamber music and cello orchestras? We could have only dreamed of finding such a nurturing and exciting place to study and experience the wonders of making music. We are so grateful to the exceptional faculty and staff at PCM who continue to inspire us.”
Learn more about The Mansour Family
Hettie Lynne Hurtes & Brandon Schwartz
 |
Hettie Lynne Hurtes
“My son Brandon has become an inspired music student while studying at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music. He's been playing the piano since the age of five, and, as many parents know, it's really difficult to keep kids interested in practicing. I believe that much of that inspiration comes from the teacher, and Dr. Susan Svrcek provides the perfect model for Brandon. Not only is she a brilliant pianist in her own right, she is also a savvy teacher. Through her blend of discipline and encouragement, Brandon practices nearly every day, despite a heavy high school work load.
“Brandon is also finding his music trio class rewarding. A piano student's life is often a solitary experience. I found this to be the case when I was young. I was thrilled to find PCM offering chamber study, and as soon as Brandon started playing with others his practice time increased. He also began feeling comfortable accompanying singers at school, with the choir teacher selecting him this season as the class ‘piano man.’”
“I love the piano. I don't much love practicing, but as I get older, it's not as frustrating. I actually use it as a much needed respite from my high school work load. I appreciate Dr. Svr?ek's understanding. While she doesn't want me to slack off, she never gets on my case if I have a week of exams, and I can't put in my hour a day.
“The Pasadena Conservatory has been an important part of my life where I can not only learn to play pieces I'm familiar with, but composers I haven't been exposed to. I can also attend master classes at PCM where I learn a lot about performance from a variety of professionals and listen to other students who often provide new ways to interpret music.
“I know I'll have to leave PCM when I go off to college next year, but I'll always remember the school and great staff and who knows, maybe I'll be back to enroll MY kids one day!”
Learn more about Hettie Lynne Hurtes & Brandon Schwartz
>> BACK TO TOP