Student conductor, brown hair in a bun, black button up collared shirt, directing concert ban with baton against dark background.

Lessons

High school students rehearsing on marimbas and vibraphone in a music classroom
Sienna Watson at the vibraphone during a group lesson in the Percussion Studio. (Misha Bruk/LPAS Architects)

We Welcome All Students

All UC Davis students are welcome to take intermediate to advanced music lessons through the Department of Music.

How to Enroll

To enroll in lessons, first contact the lessons instructor that corresponds to your area of study. Each instructor will have a conversation with you about your previous experience and may or may not choose to ask you for audition material.

Course Information

  • MUS 131
  • Schedule arranged with instructor
  • CRN given by instructor
  • 2 units
Limitations

Non-majors may take lessons throughout their studies at UC Davis. However, they may only take one set of lessons in a given quarter.

Lessons Faculty

Studio portrait of smiling Asian woman in black clothing leaning on a chair back

I-Hui Chen

  • Lecturer in Piano
Smiling man in suit carrying several drum cases and coffee in a parking lot

Chris Froh

  • Lecturer in Music, Percussion
Smiling dark-haired woman holding a clarinet in a leafy outdoor portrait

Ann Lavin

  • Lecturer in Clarinet
Gray-haired conductor exuberantly leading orchestra, photographed mid-gesture, baton raised

Pete Nowlen

  • Director of the Concert Band
  • Chamber Music Coordinator
  • Lecturer in Horn

Lesson Fees

Costs

  • Lesson fees are $300 per quarter for the equivalent of ten half-hour lessons and are 
  • Exact due date vary by quarter. In general the due date is by the end of "Week 2"
  • Payments must be made in person at the music office, paid in cash or check only (see “How to Pay” below for further details).

Waivers for Non-Majors Enrolled in Specific Ensembles

Non-majors who participate in orchestra, chorus, or concert band may be eligible for a $150 waiver on lessons.

  • Chorus
  • Concert Band
  • Symphony Orchestra

Lesson Scholarships for Majors

Lesson scholarships are only available to music majors, who may apply for a scholarship each quarter. Complete the "Request a Scholarship" webform by the 5th day of instruction of the quarter (further instructions are found on the form).

Request a Scholarship 

Limitations

Lesson waivers are available to active/declared music majors only. By “Active/Declared” music major, we mean declared majors who have enrolled in or have completed the core music major courses.

Students who request support are expected to enroll in the corresponding course number.

We regret that we are not able to provide scholarships for non-majors.

How to Pay 

Option 1

Pay Thomas Dean in person during normal business hours (with cash or check, again no credit card options) in Room 112, Music Building (Main Office)

Option 2

Please mail — or have your financial institution mail — the checks or money orders, made payable to “UC Regents,” to the following address:

Attn: Thomas Dean
One Shields Ave.
Music Building <–This line of the address is critical–>
Davis, CA 95616

Important Notes
  • Payments must be made by made or postmarked by October 14. 
  • Fee waiver applications are due October 2 by midnight. 
  • Make checks payable to “UC Regents”
  • Make sure “Music Building” appears in line 2 of the address or it will be held up at the campus mail center.
  • If someone is paying on your behalf, be sure to write the student’s name in the memo field.
  • Again, we cannot accept credit cards.

Practice Rooms

Practice rooms in both the Music Building and the Pitzer Center are only available to students who are enrolled in a course relevant either to the music major or music minor at UC Davis — or are enrolled in one of our performance ensembles or music lesson courses. (Please see the list of courses and ensemble names via the General Catalog here.) If you feel you meet this criterion, please email Caitlin Sapunor-Davis via [email protected] for information on how to reserve one of these practice rooms.