At SFCM, we encourage collaboration and conversation, sparking the artistic and intellectual engines that make learning worthwhile and engaging. Discover your talent and feed your mind through our Continuing Education classes!
Registration for Fall 2025 will open on August 15!
A non-refundable $25 registration fee will be charged once per semester.
Instructor: Danielle Thomas
Dates: 6:00 - 7:30 PM (PT) on Mondays from September 15 through to December 8, 2025 (no class November 24)
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Tuition: $450
The Alexander Technique is a method trusted by performers for over a century to enhance artistic expressions and support peak performance. It encourages more mindful, efficient movement and is especially valuable for musicians seeking greater ease, presence, and resilience in their craft. This course also weaves in relevant insights from neuroscience, anatomy, motor learning, and music education to offer a comprehensive approach that supports the whole musician.
Students learn to recognize and release patterns of excess tension, increase body awareness, and approach their playing and singing with greater balance and coordination. These skills can improve posture, reduce performance anxiety, and help prevent overuse injuries by fostering a clearer understanding of the body's limits. The technique also promotes more efficient breathing which is essential for singers and wind players, but beneficial for all musicians aiming to stay calm, centered, and fluid in performance.
Each class includes guided group movement work and individual hands on time to apply new insights directly to your instrument or voice. No prior experience with the Alexander Technique is required. All of this will take place in a supportive, fun, and joyful learning environment designed to help you thrive -- on stage, in the practice room, and beyond!
Instructor: Christian Paarup
Dates: 6:30-8:30 PM (PT) on Mondays from September 15 through to November 17, 2025
Recital: Monday, November 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Tuition: $575
The Low Brass Ensemble is open to adult trombone, euphonium, and tuba players who are eager to play in a chamber music setting with fellow brass players in the community. No audition required. Rehearsals will be held weekly on Monday evenings. The ensemble will prepare a program of mixed styles and genres for a public performance. The program will be determined based on enrollment and ability levels. This ensemble is intended to be a relaxed, fun environment with repertoire that will be appropriately challenging for everyone!
Please contact Christian Paarup with any questions at
pcnnehc@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@puraapc
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Instructor: Scott Cmiel
Dates: 4:30 - 6:00 PM (PT) on Saturdays from September 20 through to November 22, 2025
Recital: Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Tuition: $475
The SFCM Guitar Community Ensemble consists of guitarists interested in performing ensemble works in a wide range of musical styles from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods. Under the direction of Scott Cmiel, the guitar ensemble will prepare for a performance at the end of the semester.
Each member will be assigned one of four parts and play together in a section with others playing the same part. We want players of all levels to be able to participate so while some members will play difficult music others will have their parts adjusted so they can play beautifully and with an expressive interpretation. Everyone is asked to learn their part before each meeting so during rehearsal we can work on the interpretation of each piece.
There is no need to be a virtuoso - good tone, good memory, and enthusiastic attitude are all that’s required.
If you have any questions about the orchestra please contact Scott Cmiel at fpbgg.pzvry@fspz.rqhude.mcfs@leimc.ttocs
This course will not be offered in the Fall 2025 semester.
Explore the rich world of North Indian Classical Music through repertoire based in traditional raga (melody form) and tala (rhythm cycle). The beautiful compositions of Ali Akbar Khan will be the focus of the class, in additional to specialized training exercises to strengthen the basic skills of melody, rhythm, phrasing, and ornamentation.
Open to all instrumentalists with basic playing ability. Students also have the option to rent a sitar or sarode.
Offered in partnership with the Ali Akbar College of Music. Learn more about the Ali Akbar College of Music.
Instructor: Mauricio Rodriguez
Dates: 7:00 - 8:30 PM (PT) on Wednesdays from September 10 through to November 12, 2025
Location: Synchronous Online
Tuition: $375
Harmony is often thought of as the 'backbone' of tonal music. In this course, you will learn the principles to create amazing chord progressions and will understand the difference between diatonic, chromatic, and mode mixture harmonies. You will explore how to voice harmonies and apply different harmonic patterns to compose your own music, to improvise, or to write new harmonization of your favorite tunes.
Students are expected to achieve the following goals at the end of this course:
All the materials for the course will be provided by the instructor in the form of PDFs that include lecture materials, practical activities, and assignments. PDFs will be shared over email one week before each session. Students are encouraged to print these materials ahead of time to make annotations and follow in-class activities.
The following book is not required but recommended:
Mauricio Rodriguez Scales, Chords, and Harmonic Progressions (Punctum, 2020)
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Dates: 7:00-8:30 PM on Wednesdays from September 17 through to November 19, 2025
Recital: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM in Sol Joseph Recital Hall
Location: In-person at SFCM
Tuition: $475
Choose your favorite work of Rachmaninoff and Scriabin! Selection of piece should preceded the first class.
Classes 1 - 5 will be devoted to repertoire analysis and practice techniques. Solos should be completed before Class 6
Classes 6 - 7 will focus on performance preparation
Class 8 - Performance on November 5
Class 9-10 - Begin work on new repertoire
Limited to 8 pianists.
Suggested repertoire:
Short works - Rachmaninoff Variations on a Theme by Chopin (Vari. VI, XIII, XVI), Scriabin Preludes
Longer works - Rachmaninoff Preludes, Scriabin Etudes
Instructor: Jacqueline Chew
Dates: 5:30-7:00 PM on Wednesdays from September 17 through to November 19, 2025
Recital: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM in Sol Joseph Recital Hall
Location: In-Person at SFCM
Tuition: $475
Pianists will work on repertoire of their choice. Selection of piece should precede the first class.
Classes 1–5 will be devoted to repertoire analysis and practice techniques. Solos should be completed by class 6.
Class 6-7 will focus on performance preparation
Class 8 - Performance on November 5
Class 9 - 10 - Begin work on new repertoire
It is helpful if pianists are familiar with major and minor keys, triads and seventh chords, and key signatures. Limited to 6 pianists.
Repertoire level: Bach Two-part Inventions, classical sonatinas, Chopin Waltzes etc.
Instructor: Dr. Phillip Harris
Dates: 6:30 - 8:00 PM on Thursdays from September 4 through to December 4, 2025 (no class November 27)
Recital: Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 7:30pm in Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall (the Bowes Center)
Location: In-person at SFCM
Tuition: $625 (includes a $100 accompanist fee)
This class explores the many performance aspects of vocal music in a supportive and positive atmosphere, with a focus on musical theater. We work on expression, language, technique, stagecraft, drama, text, and many other aspects of this incredible art form. Students should be prepared to perform each class (memorization preferred) and can choose to work on one or more songs throughout the entire semester. An SFCM pianist will be available to accompany at all in-person classes. The session culminates in a live performance in the Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall at the Bowes Center!
This class is available only to amateurs and semi-professional students with singing experience. At least 3 years of private lessons are required.
Enrollment is limited to 10 students.
Instructor: Dr. Phillip Harris
Dates: 6:30 - 8:00 PM on Mondays from September 8 through to December 8, 2025 (no class November 24)
Recital: Monday, December 8, 2025 at 7:30pm in Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall (the Bowes Center)
Location: In-person at SFCM
Tuition: $625 (includes a $100 accompanist fee)
This class explores the many performance aspects of vocal music in a supportive and positive atmosphere. Singers can bring classical (opera/art song), jazz, pop, and gospel/sacred music. We work on expression, language, technique, stagecraft, drama, text, and many other aspects of this incredible art form. Students should be prepared to perform each class (memorization preferred) and can choose to work on one or more songs throughout the semester. An SFCM pianist will be available to accompany at all in-person classes. The session culminates in a live performance in the Cha Chi Ming Recital Hall at the Bowes Center!
The class is available only to amateurs and semi-professional students with singing experience. At least 3 years of private lessons are required. Enrollment is limited to 10 students.
