Finding the right after-school program can make all the difference in a child’s growth, confidence and interests.
That’s why Noozhawk’s ParentNooz After School Activities Guide brings together a variety of local programs that keep kids active, engaged and inspired long after the school day ends.
As part of this year’s guide, we sat down with the people behind some of Santa Barbara’s leading after-school organizations to learn what makes their programs unique.
Through these Q&As, parents can gain insight into each program’s mission, teaching philosophy and the experiences children can expect.
For this feature, we spoke with Pascal Salomon, Executive Director at Santa Barbara Conservatory of Music Foundation, about how the organization’s classes teach piano, violin & viola, flute, oboe, clarinet, ensembles, music theory and ear training.
Santa Barbara Conservatory of Music Foundation
Question: What variety of afterschool activities do you offer to students?
Answer: We offer private lessons in piano, violin & viola, flute, oboe, clarinet, ensembles, music theory and ear training. These lessons are year-long and organized in a Fall term, Spring term, and a summer Session.
Q: Which age groups can participate in your afterschool programs?
A: The age range spans from 6 or 7 to 18 years old. It covers all pre-college levels.
Q: In what ways do your activities support children’s developmental growth?
A: Music is probably the most holistic human activity, as it engages the whole person—mind, emotions, and body. Through learning an instrument, children develop emotional awareness and sensitivity as they learn to listen and respond to musical sounds, and to express their own emotions and ideas through music.
They refine their physical coordination, strengthen concentration, expand creativity, and gain confidence through performing for others and experiencing the appreciation of their achievements.
Music also teaches discipline and perseverance. Students learn to maintain their focus over time, work patiently through challenges, and experience the satisfaction of transforming a piece of music from its first notes into a confident and expressive performance.
Through ensemble experiences and performance opportunities, students also develop communication skills, teamwork, attentive listening, and a strong sense of accomplishment.
Ultimately, music education helps children grow not only as musicians, but as confident, creative, disciplined, and expressive individuals.
Q: What sets your afterschool programs apart from others in the community?
A: What makes our program unique here is its structured, comprehensive approach to music education. We created the Santa Barbara Conservatory of Music to give children, youth, and their families one place to find a well-rounded musical education, with a broad range of instruments, highly qualified teachers, and opportunities to develop musicianship, perform, and make music with others. Our goal is to offer each student a clear pathway for musical growth, from their first lesson to advanced study.
Q: Could you share a few success stories or parent/student testimonials about your programs?
A: Eugene was an extremely musically oriented and introverted boy with a slight Asperger syndrome. His music reading was quite difficult and slow. After studying piano for 2 years with Pascal Salomon, he was able to perform not only beautiful intermediate pieces such as “Melody” by Edward Grieg, but also play difficult pieces closer to movie or digital music requiring very advanced technical and memory skills.
Eugene started composing his own music and transferred to the Orange County School of the Arts. He currently composes music tracks for video games and cartoons. Formidable and quick musical journey!
In just five years, under the exceptionally effective and dedicated teaching of Suzanne Duffy, MK progressed from correcting the fundamentals of her flute embouchure to achieving conservatory-level artistry. By her freshman year of high school, she was already placing highly in school ensembles and had developed the goal of majoring in music.
Through Suzanne’s expert guidance and MK’s focused work and determination, she twice won 1st Prize in a San Luis Obispo music scholarship competition, won the opportunity to perform Mozart’s G Major flute concerto as a soloist with the San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony, and earned admission to Cal State Long Beach’s Bob Cole Conservatory of Music —a remarkable journey from foundational training to accomplished young musician.
Q: What steps do you take to ensure the safety and well-being of children during program hours?
A: We make sure our teachers have a background check and pass the mandated reporter’s training and exam.
Q: What training and qualifications do your staff members have to work with children?
A: All of our teachers are highly credentialed musicians and educators with advanced degrees (master’s or doctoral), extensive experience teaching children and youth, and, in many cases, decades of dedicated teaching.
There is no substitute for years of experience working with young people. Instrumental mastery and pedagogical expertise, combined with genuine care for each student, enable our teachers to listen, connect, encourage, and respond to each child as an individual—creating an inspiring and supportive learning environment in which every young musician can grow with confidence and reach their full potential.
Q: How do you integrate educational components into your afterschool activities?
A: Education is not simply a component of our activities—it is the very essence of our mission as a music school. Everything we offer is designed around the educational and personal growth of each student. Instrumental lessons go far beyond learning how to play an instrument: students develop music reading, ear training, rhythm, technique, interpretation, and an understanding of how music is structured.
By connecting practical music-making with a broader understanding of music, we aim to develop well-rounded, independent, and thoughtful musicians while nurturing a lifelong relationship with music.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day or session in your program?
A: At launch, the school will offer regular weekly private lessons in the various instruments we teach. Each student will also have the opportunity to complement instrumental lessons with music theory and ear training.
As our student population grows, we will develop chamber music groups in which students rehearse together under the guidance of a dedicated coach. Students will be able to choose the level of involvement that best suits them, from one weekly private lesson to two or three music activities per week.
Looking toward the future, we also aim to develop a more comprehensive “Conservatory Track” for motivated and committed students. This program would bring together private instrumental lessons, chamber music, music theory and ear training, music history, choral singing, and other complementary studies within a structured curriculum.
Our long-term vision is to develop this track into a more intensive, part-time model of music education, in which highly committed students could eventually divide a significant portion of their educational schedule between academic studies and comprehensive musical training.
Q: How do you help children who may feel shy or reluctant to join in?
A: I believe no barrier should prevent a child from experiencing music—whether because of personality, current musical ability, or financial circumstances—to the fullest extent our financial-aid resources allow. Every child should have the opportunity to discover what music can bring into their life.
As a child, I was quite shy, but that did not prevent me from developing as a musician and eventually performing, sometimes even on major stages. In fact, music gave me a way to move beyond my natural shyness. This is one of music’s extraordinary gifts: it allows children to express parts of themselves they may not yet know how to reveal, to grow beyond their perceived limitations, and sometimes to discover abilities and confidence they did not know they possessed.
Q: How do you keep parents informed about their child’s progress and experiences?
A: Teachers maintain regular communication with parents, often through brief conversations at the end of lessons as well as through messages. Our Opus1.io management platform also facilitates communication between teachers and families.
Student recitals provide wonderful opportunities for families to see and celebrate their children’s progress and accomplishments. They also create natural occasions to reflect on each student’s development, challenges, and successes.
Annual assessments will provide another opportunity to evaluate each student’s progress and determine when they are ready to advance to the next level.
Q: Are there any special events, showcases, or seasonal highlights kids can look forward to?
A: Students will typically participate in two student recitals each year.
They will also be encouraged to perform in the quarterly festivals organized by the Santa Barbara Branch of MTAC (Music Teachers’ Association of California). These festivals focus on music from specific stylistic periods and provide students with valuable opportunities to perform, broaden their repertoire, and gain experience performing in a structured and competitive environment.
SBCMF will also engage in community outreach through student performances at retirement communities, hospitals, schools, and other community events.
Q: What is your approach to managing behavioral challenges or conflicts during activities?
A: Our approach begins with understanding the individual child. Teachers respond to behavioral challenges calmly and respectfully, while maintaining clear expectations and encouraging listening, communication, and mutual respect. When concerns become recurring or affect the learning environment, we communicate with parents so that we can work together toward a constructive solution.
Q: What enrollment options and pricing do you offer for your afterschool programs?
A: FOUNDING STUDENT OFFER
Enroll by October 1 and receive 10% off tuition for your first three months!
Private lessons are offered in 30-, 45-, and 60-minute weekly options, with monthly tuition starting at $257.
Free trial lessons are available.
Q: How do you gather and use feedback from families to improve your offerings?
A: Parents are invited to share feedback through surveys, reviews, and direct communication with the school. We carefully consider their observations and, when appropriate, work with teachers to adapt their approach to better support each student’s learning and experience.
Click here to learn more about Santa Barbara Conservatory of Music Foundation!