Table of Contents
Registration for Winter music classes is now open. Registration for Spring music classes begins Wednesday, February 7, 2024 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
- Conservatory Kids Level 1 Music Class (Ages 1 – 3 years)
- Conservatory Kids Levels 1 and 2 Combined Music Class (Ages 18 months – 5 years)
- Create Your Own Music Class (all ages)
Music Classes for teens and adults
(grouped by subject / instrument / voice and then in order by skill level)
- Acoustic Guitar for Beginners Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
- Songs with Friends Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
- Young Yukes Class (Ages 9 – 14)
- Beginning Ukulele Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
- Continuing Ukulele Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
- Introductory Irish Fiddle Class (Ages 18 – Adult)
- Intermediate Irish Fiddle Class (Ages 18 – Adult)
- Advanced Beginners Irish Flute and Tin Whistle Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
- Intermediate / Advanced Irish Flute and Tin Whistle Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
- Continuing / Intermediate Irish Bodhran Class (Ages 10 – Adult)
- Celtic Backup for Bouzouki and Guitar Class (Ages 15 – Adult)
- Irish Tenor Banjo and Mandolin Class (Ages 15 – Adult)
- Singing Traditional Irish Folk Songs Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
- Singing for Adults Class (Ages 18 – Adult)
- Singing Traditional Irish Folk Songs Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
- Create Your Own Music Class (All Ages)
If you are looking for the Washington Conservatory Community Orchestra, or chamber music ensembles please visit our ensembles page for more information.
See the full calendar of music lessons, music classes, summer music camps, ensembles, performances, and special events.
Music Classes for babies, toddlers, and kids
Conservatory Kids Level 1 Music Class (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: Ernesto Lima Parets
Spring Dates: Saturdays, February 24 – June 1, 2024
Time: 10 am – 10:45 am
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (For late enrollments, the tuition is pro-rated. Select your start date on the registration webpage.)
Spring: REGISTER through the Washington Conservatory.
Conservatory Kids Levels 1 and 2 Combined Music Class (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: Ernesto Lima Parets
Spring Dates: Saturdays, February 24 – June 1, 2024
Time: 11 am – 11:45 am
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (For late enrollments, the tuition is pro-rated. Select your start date on the registration webpage.)
Spring: REGISTER through the Washington Conservatory.
Create your own music class
Is there something musical that you would specifically like to learn – an instrument or topic about music? For a pre-formed group of six or more, we are happy to hear your ideas and offer suggestions for tailor-made group classes to address your special interests. Minimum of 5 sequential weekly to maximum 15 sequential weekly classes. Complete this Create Your Own Music Class Contact Form or call 301-320-2770 to discuss.
Music Classes for teens and adults
Guitar
Acoustic Guitar for Beginners Class (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. Guitar and notebook required.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Spring Dates: Thursdays, April 11 – May 30, 2024
Time: 6 pm – 7 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.
Songs with Friends Class (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.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Spring Dates: Thursdays, April 11 – May 30, 2024
Time: 9 pm – 10 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.
Ukulele
Young Yukes Class (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 our ukulele band. Have your ukulele ready.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Spring Dates: Thursdays, April 11 – May 30, 2024
Time: 5 pm – 6 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 Class (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, and open mics! Have ukulele and notebook ready.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Spring Dates: Thursdays, April 11 – May 30, 2024
Time: 7 pm – 8 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 Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
Take your basic skills to a new level as you learn more picking and some melody playing too, and tackle the songs you really want to play. Beginning Ukulele or equivalent required. Ukulele and notebook required.
Instructor: Bernardo de Leon
Spring Dates: Thursdays, April 11 – May 30, 2024
Time: 8 pm – 9 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 Class (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.
Instructor: Mitchell Fanning
Spring Dates: Wednesdays, March 6 – June 12, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Intermediate Irish Fiddle Class (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. Students must provide their own instrument.
Instructor: Mitchell Fanning
Spring Dates: Wednesdays, March 6 – June 12, 2024
Time: 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Advanced Beginners Irish Flute and Tin Whistle Class (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
Spring Dates: Wednesdays, March 27 – May 29, 2024
Time: 7 pm – 8 pm
Sessions: 10
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $240 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Intermediate / Advanced Irish Flute and Tin Whistle Class (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
Spring Dates: Wednesdays, March 27 – May 29, 2024
Time: 8 pm – 9 pm
Sessions: 10
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $240 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Continuing / Intermediate Irish Bodhran Class (Ages 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. Students must provide their own instrument.
Instructor: Jesse Winch
Spring Dates: Tuesdays, April 9 – May 14, 2024
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 and Guitar Class (Ages 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 23 – June 25, 2024
Time: 7 pm – 8 pm
Sessions: 10
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $240 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Irish Tenor Banjo and Mandolin Class (Ages 15 – Adult)
Covers Irish melody style playing for mandolin and four-string banjo tuned GDAE. For advanced beginner and 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 and include reels, jigs, hornpipes. Recording device helpful. Must provide your own instrument.
Instructor: Keith Carr
Spring Dates: Tuesdays, April 23 – June 25, 2024
Time: 8 pm – 9 pm
Sessions: 10
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $240 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Singing Traditional Irish Folk Songs Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
For singers of all levels! Curious about resonance, ornaments and phrasing for a traditional Irish sound? Learn techniques specific to Irish Music while gathering a repertoire of traditional Celtic songs. Use the whole body as an instrument and learn tools to relax for better sound and more joy!
Instructor: Eileen Estes
Spring Dates: Mondays, March 25 – June 3, 2024 (no class May 27)
Time: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Sessions: 10
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $240 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Singing
Singing for Adults Class (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.
Audition requirement: a prepared piece with audio accompaniment (no vocal track). To schedule audition, call: 301.320.2770
Instructor: Jennifer Suess
Winter Dates: Mondays, January 29 – May 6, 2024
Time: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Sessions: 15
Location: Washington Conservatory Campus at Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $345 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Winter: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
For late enrollment, please call the WCM office: 301-320-2770
Singing Traditional Irish Folk Songs Class (Ages 13 – Adult)
For singers of all levels! Curious about resonance, ornaments and phrasing for a traditional Irish sound? Learn techniques specific to Irish Music while gathering a repertoire of traditional Celtic songs. Use the whole body as an instrument and learn tools to relax for better sound and more joy!
Instructor: Eileen Estes
Spring Dates: Mondays, March 25 – June 3, 2024 (no class May 27)
Time: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Sessions: 10
Location: Washington Conservatory campus in Glen Echo Park
Tuition: $240 (plus $15 Glen Echo Park registration fee)
Spring: REGISTER on the Glen Echo Park website.
Miscellaneous
Create your own music class
Is there something musical that you would specifically like to learn – an instrument or topic about music? For a pre-formed group of six or more, we are happy to hear your ideas and offer suggestions for tailor-made group classes to address your special interests. Minimum of 5 sequential weekly to maximum 15 sequential weekly classes. Complete this Create Your Own Music Class Contact Form or call 301-320-2770 to discuss.
Music Appreciation and Seminars
There are no seminars currently scheduled.
Ensembles
Washington Conservatory Community Orchestra
Full details are on the ensembles webpage.
Capital Horns
Full details are on the ensembles webpage.
Custom Ensembles
Full details are on the ensembles webpage.
Chamber Music Coaching for Pre-Formed Groups
Full details are on the ensembles webpage.