San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College

Helping young musicians master plan for college and beyond, Dana Fonteneau will work with Pre-College students to get clear on their vision, values, and mindset for healthy success by designing a long term path to an inspiring and sustainable life in the arts. Dana Fonteneau draws on her diverse background in music, business, finance, and psychology to help her clients attain greater personal and career success. She is part performance coach, management consultant, financial ...Continue reading

Terrence Brewerguitarist and music educatorjoins the Pre-College Roots, Jazz, and American Music faculty to lead the Jazz Lab and offer private guitar instruction. In addition to being a first-call and in-demand bandleader, record producer, concert performer and studio musician, Terrence Brewer has established himself as one of the San Francisco Bay area’s foremost music educators. For 20 years Brewer has been a private lesson instructor, master class instructor, clinician..., lecturer, music workshop facilitator, and presenter to students of all ages, skill levels, and musical styles. A Multiple-Award Winner, in addition to being a music educator, Brewer is a first-call and in-demand bandleader, record producer, concert performer, studio musician. Brewer has produced and released 11 nationally acclaimed albums (including the latest in 2019, "Don't Worry 'Bout Me; A Tribute to Ella Fitagerald and Joe Pass") on his own record label (Strong Brew Music) he started in 2006. Those albums have had several top 15 and top 10 appearances on the national jazz charts. Brewer has performed to multiple sold-out crowds at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Yoshi’s, and the SFJAZZ Jazz Festival. When he's not touring regionally and nationally, he finds time to instruct/facilitate music history courses, master classes, clinics, workshops, and lecture for the likes of Stanford Jazz Workshop, SFJAZZ, The Jazz School, Jazz Camp West, Blue Bear School of Music, Lafayette Summer Music Workshop, CMEA (California Music Educators Association), and presenting at colleges, high schools, and middles schools throughout California including Los Medanos College, Chabot College, Santa Rosa Jr College, San Francisco University High School, Edna Brewer Middle School, the Nueva School, and many others. One of the most important aspects, of all music traditions, is the passing on of that tradition educating teaching spreading the knowledge its essential to the continued growth of all musical styles. For me, educating, presenting, sharing what I’ve learned and observed, continues to be an important part of my journey. I was blessed to have amazingly passionate teachers who helped shape me into the musician/educator I am today and I want to give that same love of music to as many others as I can."

Tune in NOW to hear Pre-College guitarist Emilia Díaz Delgado perform on From the Top. Emilia studies with Scott Cmiel.

Welcome horn player and educator Jessica Valeri to the Pre-College brass faculty! Jessica Valeri has been a member of the San Francisco Symphony since 2008. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Valeri was a member of the Saint Louis Symphony, the Colorado Symphony, the Grant Park Orchestra, and the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. After studying with Doug Hill at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ms. Valeri went on to earn her Graduate degree and Performance Certificate from Northwester...n University, as a student of Gail Williams, Bill Barnewitz, and Norman Schweikert. Ms. Valeri has participated in many recording projects including a Grammy-nominated recording with the Bay Brass, and is a frequent guest with the Grand Teton Music Festival, the Arizona Music Festival, and the Lakes Area Music Festival. Passionate about education, she is currently on the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, serves as a coach for the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and is a sought-after clinician and teacher. Ms. Valeri also serves as a musician advisor in the planning and programming of the Adventures in Music educational concerts for the San Francisco Symphony. When not playing the horn, you will find her practicing yoga and sketch comedy (not simultaneously although that would be a great skit idea), and entertaining friends at home with her husband and fellow SFS musician Jonathan Vinocour, and their son, Luca.

If you are intrigued by the music of Stravinsky, join this opportunity to examine his works and life starting July 6! Instructor Stefano Flavoni will lead interactive discussions for students ages 14 - 18 through 90 minute online classes, M,W,F from 3:30 - 5pm PDT. https://sfcm.edu/surveys-wagner-and-stravinsky

Emile Serper and Zak Mustilletwo composers from our Pre-College programare winners of the 2020 San Francisco Contemporary Music Players' Victor Salvo Music Composition Scholarship.

We are united against the injustice, violence, and horror ravaging our Nation. Systemic racism must end. As citizens and artists, we must illuminate a path to a better future and stand in spirit and action with all people of color. Though we are scattered across the world, we are singular in our belief that not one of us is secure or free until all of us are. Peace will never prosper in the absence of justice. SFCM President David H. Stull #blacklivesmatter

Going live at 5PM tonight! Tune in to support SF public school music programs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GKF1WkvS0o

Pre-College student Conor Padmanabhan appears live on the From the Top Facebook page today at 3PM. Tune in!

Join the Pre-College Student Council this Sunday, May 24 at 5pm for a live benefit concert to support SF public school music programs!