Table of Contents
Registration is now open for Spring music classes at our campus in Glen Echo Park. All classes follow the policies of Glen Echo Park. Click on the “Register” link to be directed to the Glen Echo Park registration page for each class.
Music Classes for babies, toddlers, and kids
(in order by minimum age)
- Conservatory Kids Level 1 (ages 3mo-2yr)
- Conservatory Kids Level 1 (ages 1-3)
- Conservatory Kids Levels 1 & 2 Combined (ages 18mo-5yr)
- Conservatory Kids Level 2 (ages 2-3)
- World Rhythms (ages 4-7)
- Let’s Sing! (ages 5-7)
- Sparks! Vocal Ensemble (Ages 7-12)
- Young Yukes (ages 9-14)
Music Classes for teens and adults
(grouped by subject / instrument / voice and then in order by skill level)
Guitar and Ukulele (ages 13+)
- Acoustic Guitar for Beginners (ages 13+)
- Intermediate Acoustic Guitar (ages 13+)
- Songs with Friends (ages 13+)
- Beginning Ukulele (ages 13+)
- Continuing Ukulele (ages 13+)
- Introductory Irish Fiddle (ages 18+)
- Intermediate Irish Fiddle (ages 18+)
- Advanced Beginners – Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (ages 13+)
- Intermediate/Advanced Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (ages 13+)
- Irish Bodhran Refresher (ages 10+)
- Continuing/Intermediate Irish Bodhran (ages 10+)
- Celtic Backup for Bouzouki & Guitar (ages 15+)
- Irish Tenor Banjo & Mandolin (ages 15+)
- Singing for Adults (ages 18+)
- Intermediate Voice for Adults (ages 18+)
If you are looking for the Washington Conservatory Encore Chorale or Encore Rocks, please visit our ensembles page for more information.
Music Classes for babies, toddlers, and kids
Conservatory Kids Level 1 (Ages 3 months – 2 years)
For ages 3 months to 2 years with a caregiver. Tap into your child’s magical sense of wonder. Our youngest musicians will enjoy singing, moving, and playing instruments to help awaken the basic sense of pitch and rhythm during this critical early stage of development. Class includes classical, Broadway, folk, pop, jazz and children’s favorites. Weekly lesson plans offer both repeated and new musical elements to enhance motor skills and develop a joyful love of music for all! Class is designed with a multi-year curriculum. Students are encouraged to join multiple times for maximum musical benefit.
Instructor: WCM Faculty
Dates: Tuesdays, January 31 – May 9, 2023
Time: 10:00 am -10:45 am
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Conservatory Kids Level 1 (Ages 1 – 3 years)
For caregiver and child. Tap into your child’s magical sense of wonder. Our youngest musicians will enjoy singing, moving, and playing instruments to help awaken the basic sense of pitch and rhythm during this critical early stage of development. Class includes classical, Broadway, folk, pop, jazz and children’s favorites. Weekly lesson plans offer both repeated and new musical elements to enhance motor skills and develop a joyful love of music for all! Class is designed with a multi-year curriculum. Students are encouraged to join multiple times for maximum musical benefit.
Instructor: Tarek Mohamed
Dates: Saturdays, February 4 – May 20, 2023 (no class April 8)
Time: 10:00 am -10:45 am
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Conservatory Kids Levels 1 & 2 Combined (Ages 18 months – 5 years)
For caregiver and child. Perfect for siblings. Sing, clap, dance, play to music of all styles: movie, classical, popular and traditional children’s music. Awakens awareness of the elements of music (pitch, rhythm, tempo, timbre) and enhances range of motor and learning skills. Class may be repeated multiple times. Different each season.
Instructor: Tarek Mohamed
Dates: Saturdays, February 4 – May 20, 2023 (no class April 8)
Time: 11:00 am -11:45 am
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Conservatory Kids Level 2 (Ages 2 and 3 years)
For ages 2 & 3 yrs and caregiver. Discover the magical world of music through a range of styles from famous symphonies to jazz, folk, popular and other classical compositions. Level 2 builds a strong foundation for further musical growth. Learn the basic elements of music through singing, percussion instruments, and dance. Includes an intro to ear training using solfege syllables. Students learn to recognize pitch and create rhythmic patterns and develop tempo awareness. Students are encouraged to join multiple times for maximum musical benefit. Prior Conservatory Kids classes are not required.
Instructor: WCM Faculty
Dates: Tuesdays, January 31 – May 9, 2023
Time: 11:00 am -11:45 am
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
World Rhythms (Ages 4 – 7 years)
Every country and type of music uses different rhythms. Rhythm is the heartbeat of music. Mainly using the “instrument” of the wildly popular US ensembles – Bucket Bands- we will have fun as we produce rhythms of the world, with our hands, with sticks and with other modes of rhythm making, and mainly using call and response. From Africa to Latin America to New York City, we travel the world of rhythm.
Instructor: Tarek Mohamed
Dates: Saturdays, February 4 – May 20, 2023 (no class April 8)
Time: 12:00 pm -12:45 pm
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Let’s Sing! (Ages 5-7)
Become a singing star! Learn songs from popular films and other genres while having fun learning to breathe and care for the young voice and reinforce the elements of music. Performance for parents and friends at last class.
Instructor: Jennifer Suess
Dates: Tuesdays January 17 – April 25, 2023
Time: 5:15 pm – 6:00 pm
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Sparks! Vocal Ensemble (Ages 7-12)
Ignite the musical spark in your child. The Washington Conservatory’s performing ensemble teaches age appropriate vocal techniques for proper breath support, projection, pitch, and phrasing. Sing songs from pop to stage to classical, a capella and with accompaniment, in unison and harmony, all while having fun! End of semester performance.
Instructor: Jennifer Suess
Dates: Monday, January 30 – May 8, 2023
Time: 4:15pm – 5pm
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Young Yukes (Ages 9-14)
Join this fun class and learn to play the ukulele, a small member of the guitar family. It’s easy to start, and the possibilities are endless! You’ll learn the basics of chords, strumming, fingerpicking, and more so you can play your favorite songs solo or in a ukulele band. Bring your own ukulele. Minimum age 9.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Dates: Thursdays, April 13 – June 1, 2023
Time: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sessions: 8
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $184 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Music Classes for teens and adults
Guitar and Ukulele
Acoustic Guitar for Beginners (Ages 13 – Adult)
Learn a few chords and strums; you’ll be playing satisfying versions of your favorite songs in this fun class. You know a lot about music just from years of listening. Use that knowledge and you’ll be playing by ear in no time at all. Bring guitar & notebook. Minimum age 13.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Spring Dates: Thursdays, April 13 – June 1, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sessions: 8
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $194 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Intermediate Acoustic Guitar (Ages 13 – Adult)
So you’ve taken beginning guitar or you’ve been playing for a while and want to get to the next level. Learn some finger picking and other techniques that will make your playing more interesting. Use these skills to play songs you love. Guitar & notebook required. Minimum age 13.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Dates: Thursdays, January 12 – March 2, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sessions: 8
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $184 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Songs With Friends (Ages 13 – Adult)
From blues to Bob Dylan to Bono to Beyoncé and beyond, expand your guitar technique and repertoire while playing great music with others. We all pick suitable songs and learn to play them as individuals and as a group. Ukuleleists welcome too. Minimum age 13.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Dates: Thursdays, April 13 – June 1, 2023
Time: 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sessions: 8
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $194 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Beginning Ukulele (Ages 13 – Adult)
A fun class to explore this wonderful member of the guitar family! You will learn simple chords and how to use them in a variety of traditional and contemporary songs. Great for personal enjoyment, parties, & open mics! Have ukulele & notebook ready. Minimum age 13.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Dates: Thursdays, April 13 – June 1, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sessions: 8
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $194 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Continuing Ukulele (Ages 13 – Adult)
Take your basic skills to a new level as you learn more picking and some melody playing too, and tackle the song you really want to play. Beginning Ukulele or equivalent required. Bring ukulele & notebook. Minimum age 13.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Spring Dates: Thursdays, April 13 – June 1, 2023
Time: 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sessions: 8
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $194 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Folk Music Classes
Introductory Irish Fiddle (Ages 18 – Adult)
For adult violinists who are interested in learning more about traditional Irish fiddling. Explore various rhythms and tune types, experiment with ornamentation and bowing principles while learning jigs, reels, hornpipes, mazurkas, highlands, barn dances, and more. Great ear training, great fun! Field trips to local Irish sessions. Students must provide own instrument. Minimum age 18
Instructor: Mitchell Fanning
Dates: Wednesdays, January 25 – May 3, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Intermediate Irish Fiddle (Ages 18 – Adult)
This class is designed for more experienced violin students and those who have taken Introductory Irish Fiddle who want to continue their studies and learn more advanced and complex tunes. Field trips to local Irish sessions. Minimum age 18.
Instructor: Mitchell Fanning
Dates: Wednesdays, January 25 – May 3, 2023
Time: 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Advanced Beginners – Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (Ages 13 – Adult)
Combined class for advanced beginning players. Some basic knowledge of the instrument, fingering, simple scales, and simple tunes is required. Explore the rich mostly aural tradition of Irish music and expand your repertoire. Irish tunes learned by ear: jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas. Learn about fingering, ornamentation, breath control, intonation, basic repertoire & listening recommendations. Bring Irish flute or tin whistle in key of D and recording device.
Instructor: Tina Eck
Dates: Wednesdays, January 25 – March 22, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sessions: 9
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $207 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Intermediate/Advanced Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (Ages 13 – Adult)
Builds on the Advanced Beginners Irish Flute/Tin Whistle class. Fundamental skills required. Explores additional repertoire, ornamentation, phrasing; also focuses on tone, intonation, breath control, session tunes, learning by ear. We explore jigs, reels, hornpipes, polkas, and other tune forms. Bring an Irish simple system flute or tin whistle in the key of D and recording device.
Instructor: Tina Eck
Dates: Wednesdays, January 25 – March 22, 2023
Time: 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sessions: 9
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $207 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Irish Bodhran Refresher (10 – Adult)
This multi-level refresher class focuses on traditional Kerry-style of playing emphasizing drum positioning, stick control, basic styles and finding the downbeat. Tune types include the jig, reel, hornpipe, slip jig, slide, and polka. Class will informally discuss the definition and characteristics of Irish traditional music including history and the role of percussion. Students must provide their own instrument
Instructor: Jesse Winch
Dates: Mondays, January 9-23, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sessions: 3
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $94 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Continuing / Intermediate Irish Bodhran (10 – Adult)
This class picks up where the Beginning class ended and continues working on all of the Irish dance rhythms. Includes video presentations and discussion. Prerequisite: Beginning Bodhran (offered in the Fall), solid understanding of traditional Irish tune-types, and good, basic stick control. Student must provide own instrument. Minimum age 10.
Instructor: Jesse Winch
Spring Dates: Tuesdays, April 11 – May 16, 2023
Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Sessions: 6
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $151 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Celtic Backup for Bouzouki & Guitar (15 – Adult)
Covers techniques of accompaniment for jigs, reels, hornpipes, etc., with focus on rhythm patterns, constructing chord progressions. Well-known session tunes serve as examples. Also discussed: “session survival,” playing in an ensemble. Recording device helpful. Must provide own instrument.
Instructor: Keith Carr
Spring Dates: Tuesdays, April 11 – May 16, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sessions: 6
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $151 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Irish Tenor Banjo & Mandolin (15 – Adult)
Covers Irish melody style playing for mandolin & four-string banjo tuned GDAE. For advanced beginner & intermediate level players. Students must already have at least basic proficiency on their instrument and be capable of playing and learning by ear. Well-known session tunes serve as examples & include reels, jigs, hornpipes. Recording device helpful. Must provide own instrument.
Instructor: Keith Carr
Spring Dates: Tuesdays, April 11 – May 16, 2023
Time: 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sessions: 6
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $151 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website
Singing
Singing for Adults (Ages 18 – Adult)
Yes, you can sing! It’s never too late to learn! In a group setting, enjoy learning ways to warm up your voice for the best sound, range, and vocal health, how to stay in tune, and how changes in posture and breathing can help you sing. You will learn a technique that applies to all styles of music, along with basic skills in reading notes and pitches. Minimum age 18.
Instructor: Jennifer Suess
Dates: Mondays, January 30 – May 8, 2023
Time: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Intermediate Voice for Adults (Ages 18 – Adult)
This class is designed for more experienced singers and those who have taken Introduction to Singing for Adults and want continued refinement of vocal skills. Prerequisite: one year of Introduction to Voice, or upon the recommendation of the instructor after an audition. Minimum age 18.
Audition requirement: a prepared piece with audio accompaniment (no vocal track). To schedule audition, call: 301.320.2770
Instructor: Jennifer Suess
Dates: Mondays, January 30 – May 8, 2023
Time: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $30 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Music Appreciation and Seminars
There are no seminars currently scheduled.