Fall 2010 Session Starts September 11 - Now Enrolling!
Every Saturday, about 100 students ages 4-19 explore a curriculum enriched by mentoring, retreats, workshops, master classes, lectures and guest artists. The Granada Music & Arts Conservatory, originally founded in 1989, is a unique program dedicated to fostering full growth and creativity in our youth, the pursuit of excellence in a safe environment, and the celebration of artistic tradition as an expression of our humanity. Students ages 4-11 participate in the Junior Program, while students ages 12-19 participate in the Senior Program. Our courses include music history and theory, visual arts, creative writing, poetry and theatre craft. Professionalism, teamwork and discipline are hallmarks of this experience.

To enroll your young person or for more information, including tuition fees, please email or call Greg Pantages at 805.899.3000, ext. 321.

Saturday classes are held at Girls Inc. in Goleta
located at 4973 Hollister Avenue

Virtuoso Strings Open Auditions - Saturday, August 28
Under the leadership of Nina Bodnar, we offer a comprehensive program that provides music education beginning with elementary classes including Orff & children’s choir, and culminating with the advanced level Virtuoso Strings. Our most dedicated music students also have the opportunity to participate in chamber ensembles, and aspiring young musicians may audition for our new string orchestra, the Junior Virtuosi.

Open Auditions for All Ensemble Placements - Saturday, Aug. 28, 10:00 a.m.
Girls Inc. in Goleta located at 4973 HollIster Avenue

About The Conservatory

Our Curriculum
Experience is the best teacher. By encouraging our students to explore all facets of the creative arts and opening their minds to new ideas and techniques, we hope to challenge
them to use their individual creativity to the fullest.

Mentoring
Our students enjoy opportunities to work closely with seasoned professionals who are dedicated to their growth as artists and human beings. Our teachers provide each student
with an intensive program in every subject: music, theatre, visual arts and creative writing. Conservatory Founder and Co-Director Lana Bodnar works with each student to tailor a program that provides a well-rounded education in all of the arts, with plenty of time to focus on their passions and talents.

Community Outreach
Student musicians, poets and performers enrich our community by presenting their unique talents, performing for seniors, families and school groups.

Young Soloists Showcase
This annual concert features the young musicians who have auditioned to appear as soloists with a professional orchestra at The Granada. A tradition for 25 years, this opportunity is unique to our community and many soloists have gone on to become professional musicians.

Our Faculty & Staff
Lana Bodnar (Music Theory) founded The Conservatory in 1989. She is a graduate of the Musikschule in Munich, Germany, and of the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. Lana is a member of the Music Teachers' Association of California, specializing in teacher training. She is an adjudicator for the American College of Musicians and the prestigious U.S. National Open Piano Competition. Lana has been teaching music theory and practice to young people for more years than she can count.

Nina Bodnar (Artistic Director, Virtuoso Strings) is an acclaimed violinist whose early achievements include first prizes in the National Dealy Competiton in Dallas, Texas and the Jacques Thibaud International Violin Competition in Paris, France. The latter honor launched her international career, and she subsequently spent many years performing as a soloist in recital and with orchestras  throughout  Europe, Mexico, Hong Kong and the United States.

An avid chamber musician, Nina was a regular member of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival for years, and a frequent guest artist at various other chamber music festivals throughout the country. Her other accomplishments include concertmaster of the Santa Barbara Symphony, the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leonard Slatkin, and most recently the first violinist of the Rossetti String Quartet with national and international appearances including the Library of Congress, 92nd St. Y, England, France, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands and Italy.

Other Conservatory faculty and staff include: Misha Bodnar, Chamber Music; Barbara Coventry, Prelude String Ensemble; Sabina Funk, Visual Arts; Duff Kennedy, PhD, Music Appreciation and History; Natalya Klimov, Solfège and Children’s Choir; Claude-Lise LaFranque, Orff; Perie Longo, PhD, S.B. Poet Laureate Emerita, Poetry; Chryss Yost, Poetry; Linda Nelson, Costume and Set Design; Don Orth, Creative Writing; Kaori Otose, Administrative Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator; Cathy Oliverio, Historian; Elena Horak, Hospitality; Greg Pantages, Conservatory Administrator.