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CAPMT 2026 State Conference

Finding your Forte: Empowering the Modern Music Teacher

Saturday, October 10 - Sunday, October 11


Pasadena Conservatory of Music

100 N Hill Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106



Pasadena Conservatory of Music


Click here to register!

Register by September 1st to lock in the early bird discount

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Note: the Conference schedule, including speakers, assigned rooms, and session times, are subject to change. Continue checking the CAPMT website for updates

featuring guest artists:

Chamber Music Recital Featuring

Antoinette Perry, John Walz, and Michele Zukovsky

Antoinette Perry, piano


Antoinette Perry

Piano

John Walz, Cello


John Walz

Cello

Michele Zukovsky, Clarinet


Michele Zukovsky

Clarinet

Antoinette Perry, born into a family of professional musicians, gave her first public performance at the age of four. Since then she has concertized extensively throughout the United States, Germany, France, England, and in 20 cities of the People’s Republic of China. She has been heard on NPR, the CBC, the BBC and the Bravo! Channel, and has recorded for the Crystal, Harmonie, Pacific Rainbow, Pacific Serenades, Excelsior, and Navona/PARMA labels. Her two solo albums, “Beethoven Bookends,” and “Moments Musicaux” are available on all major online platforms under the Navona LIVE/PARMA label (released 2021 and 2022).

John Walz is a celebrated soloist and chamber music artist, known for his dazzling virtuosity and elegant musicianship.  A student of the legendary French cellist, Pierre Fournier, he has appeared as soloist with more than 300 symphony orchestras on 4 continents, including the major symphonies  of Los Angeles, London, Prague, and Munich – performing with such esteemed conductors as Zubin Mehta, Mehli Mehta, James Conlon, JoAnn Falletta, Paul Freeman, and Murry Sidlin. His performances of 25 different concertos include both standard showcases and rarities like Martinu’s Concerto #1 and William Schuman’s Song of Orfeus.  In addition, he has had the honor of premiering works by many noted composers, including John Williams.

https://www.john-walz.com/

When clarinetist Michele Zukovsky auditioned for the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1961, she hadn’t a clue that this decision would set her on a rewarding and unconventional course for her entire career. At a mere 18 years old, she became the orchestra’s principal clarinetist, prompting her to leave her studies at the University of Southern California ten weeks into her first year. She went on to become the orchestra’s longest-serving female woodwind player and by the time she retired in December 2015, she had played under five of the orchestra’s major directors: Zubin Mehta, Carlo Maria Giulini, André Previn, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Gustavo Dudamel. Since that time she’s invested her energy in teaching both privately and at institutions, namely Azusa Pacific University, Citrus College, and the Pasadena Conservatory of Music, all the while maintaining a busy schedule with guest masterclasses. The recent pandemic shifted her pedagogical outlets into the virtual realm, yet this has only offered the ever-versatile musician a chance for further expansion. She currently shares her wealth of experience with a diverse array of students from all across the globe. 

https://michelezukovsky.com/

Chamber Music Master Class with

Henry Gronnier



Henry Gronnier is a founding member and first violinist of the Rossetti String Quartet. Early musical studies took place at the Conservatoire in his native town of Saint Quentin, France, where he was awarded the Premier Prix in both piano and violin. He attended the Conservatoire National de Region de Versailles, receiving the Gold Medal in the class of Madeleine Thuillier Deverge and continued with Michèle Auclair of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, where he received his Artist Diploma. He concluded his studies with Nell Gotkovsky, Sally Thomas, and Zino Francescatti.

Mr. Gronnier has appeared throughout the world in recitals, including his New York debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and his London debut at Wigmore Hall. As a soloist with orchestra and in chamber music ensembles, he has appeared at a number of the world’s most prestigious festivals including the Festival of Two Worlds, Spoleto Festival (both in Italy and Charleston, South Carolina), Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, Mostly Mozart at Lincoln Center, Caramoor Summer Music Festival, Casals Festival, Festival Méditérranéen, Festival Albert Schweitzer, The Zino Francescatti Festival, and the Festival de San Miguel de Allende. He has performed with such artists as Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Rina Dokshitsky, Katia Skanavi, Ursula Oppens, Lukas Foss, Pepe Romero, Paula Robison, Eugenia Zukerman, Patrice Fontanarosa, Chantal Juillet, Claire Désert, Anne Quéffelec, Pierre Barbizet, Carter Brey, Emmanuel Strosser, and Stephanie Chase, among others. In October 2014 Mr. Gronnier toured China as a soloist with the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre.

In addition to Mr. Gronnier’s career as a performing artist, he has been very involved in the artist management field. He created Henry Gronnier Artists Management in New York and successfully nurtured several young talents who went on to have international careers. Having done that, he continued as Vice President of Jack Mastroianni Associates, working with some of the elites in the music world today, such as Cecilia Bartoli, Mirella Freni, Angelika Kirschlager, Julia Fischer, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet to name a few. Not only does he understand how to develop talent through teaching, but also how to navigate the path once the individual is ready to enter their chosen career.

Henry Gronnier was an Associate Professor of Violin and Director of Chamber Music at University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music until the spring of 2014. He is currently on faculty at the Community School of Performing Arts and The Music Academy at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, Bob Cole Conservatory at California State University, Long Beach, and on the Advisory Board of the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre.

Keynote Session by 2026 CAPMT Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient


Dr. Dmitry Rachmanov


Dr. Dmitry Rachmanov


Dr. Dmitry Rachmanov is Director of Keyboard Studies at California State University, Northridge.  A sought-after performer, master class clinician, adjudicator and lecturer, Dr. Rachmanov has served on the faculties of Manhattan School of Music and Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and has been a guest artist/lecturer at The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, Royal Northern College of Music (UK), Shanghai and Beijing Central Conservatories.


https://dmitryrachmanov.com/

Come and join our amazing community of California music teachers to

learn, connect, network, and be inspired!


Attendees can look forward to

  • Exceptional presentations by California's leading performers and pedagogues. Gather, mingle, and share ideas with friends and colleagues from across the state!
  • CAPMT 2026 State Finals Winners and YPLN Concert
  • A chamber music recital featuring Antoinette Perry, John Walz, and Michele Zukovsky
  • A chamber music master class taught by Henry Gronnier
  • A keynote session by CAPMT 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Dr. Dmitry Rachmanov

Cancellation Policy:  All conference fees are due in full at registration and all fees are non-refundable

Suggested Hotels:

Need a place to stay for the 2026 CAPMT State Conference? The Pasadena Conservatory is located in central Pasadena - walking distance to hotels at a variety of price points, ranging from walkable boutique stays to full-service hotels with conference amenities.

Pasadena Rose & Crown Hotel
1203 E. Colorado Blvd. | ~10 minutes from PCM
A budget-friendly boutique hotel on Colorado Blvd, with individually furnished rooms, hardwood floors, and a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning. Guests consistently praise the clean, comfortable rooms and friendly staff, making it a great value pick for conference attendees watching their travel budget. On-site amenities include a fitness center, outdoor pool, and free parking!

Pasadena Hotel & Pool
928 E. Colorado Blvd. | ~10 minutes from PCM
A stylish, historic Art Deco hotel just off Colorado Blvd, with an outdoor pool, on-site restaurant, and easy access to Old Town Pasadena's restaurants and shops. A great mid-range choice for attendees who want character along with convenience!

Hilton Pasadena
168 S. Los Robles Ave. | ~10–15 minutes from PCM
A reliable, full-service option near the Pasadena Convention Center, with on-site dining, a fitness center, and the amenities frequent conference travelers expect. A solid choice if you're looking for a familiar brand and dependable service!

Getting to PCM

The Pasadena Conservatory of Music is located at 100 N. Hill Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106, in a residential neighborhood just east of Old Town Pasadena.

By Air

  • Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is the most convenient airport, about 20–25 minutes from PCM with significantly less traffic than the larger LA airports.
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) offers more flight options but runs 45 minutes to over an hour away depending on traffic.
  • Ontario International Airport (ONT) is a third option for attendees, roughly 30–40 minutes from PCM.


By Public Transit


PCM is less than a mile from Metro's A Line, with the Lake and Allen stations both within walking distance or a short rideshare.

The A Line runs directly through Downtown LA and Old Town Pasadena, connecting to Union Station and on to Long Beach, making it a convenient option for attendees staying near Downtown or coming from LAX (a Metro/FlyAway or rideshare connection is needed to reach Union Station from LAX). Local buses also serve the area for shorter trips around Pasadena.


By Car


PCM is easily reached via the 210 (Foothill) and 134 freeways, with the 110 (Arroyo Seco Parkway) connecting from Downtown LA and points south. The Conservatory has parking on site; attendees are encouraged to check with their hotel about parking options.