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Music Set

September 8 - Oct 7, 2025

Libretto Conservatory
Led by Artistic Director Michael Ragonese

A 5-Week Ensemble Program for Creative Musical Expression and Industry Navigation

The Libretto Conservatory unites talented young artists from the Paso Robles and surrounding communities, spanning high school to college ages, to explore improvisation, composition, performance, and entrepreneurship.

 

This program is fully scholarship-based and tuition-free. Online auditions will be held, and two ensembles will be selected based on skill level—one high school ensemble and one college ensemble. Each group will consist of a maximum of six members.

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Notable alumni are currently studying at prestigious institutions such as Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, New School, USC, NYU, and Berklee College of Music. Additionally, Michael's current students attend LACHSA in Los Angeles, recognized as one of the nation's top arts high schools. To learn more about the details go to our website below!

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MISSION

​INSTRUCTION

DETAILS

The Libretto Conservatory aims to solidify music fundamentals, improve original musical expression, and discover creative ways to navigate the music industry.

The program is led by pianist Michael Ragonese. Learn more about our artistic director  below.

When: Sept - Oct 7, 2025

Where: Libretto Paso Robles

Deadline to Apply: Sept 1st, 2025

Listen + Learn + Apply

Michael Ragonese's Music Pedagogy

The Libretto Conservatory implements a balanced approach to music pedagogy, providing classroom learning, one-on-one instruction, collaboration, and live performance experience. Students will gain valuable experience transferring what they learn in class to the stage with confidence.

COURSES OFFERED

  • Jazz Improvisation

  • Jazz History/Listening

  • Jazz Theory/Harmony

  • Composition

  • Music Technology

  • Music Professionalism/Entrepreneurship

  • Small Group Rehearsals

Who Should Apply?

ARTISTS AGES

high school - college

ALL INSTRUMENTS WELCOME

piano

saxophone

drums

trumpet

guitar

trombone

bass

clarinet

vocals

flute

INTERESTED?

See audition requirements and apply now!​

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Logistics

TUITION & FEES:

FREE, AUDITION BASED 

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SCHEDULE:

Week 1

Monday (combo 1) - Sept 8: 5-6:30pm

Tuesday (combo 2) - Sept 9: 5-6:30pm

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Week 2

Monday (combo 1) - Sept 15: 5-6:30pm

Tuesday (combo 2) - Sept 16: 5-6:30pm 

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Week 3

Monday - No Class

Tuesday, (Combo 1/2) - Sept 23: 5-6:30pm, 6:30-8PM

including a masterclass with Sullivan Fortner

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Week 4

Monday (combo 1) - Sept 29: 5-6:30pm

Tuesday (combo 2) - Sept 30: 5-6:30pm

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Week 5

Monday (rehearsal both bands) - Oct 65-6pm / 6pm-7pm

Tuesday (Concert) 5pm soundcheck - Show from 6-7:15pm

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​LOCATION:

LIBRETTO
1242 Park Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446

*Address will be provided via email to registered students.

Learn & Create in a
Professional Jazz Venue

Participants in the 5-week Libretto Conservatory program will have the unique opportunity to rehearse at one of the country’s top jazz clubs, featuring an incredible Steinway concert grand piano.

 

By immersing themselves in this inspiring environment, students will play on world-class instruments while learning to create an engaging music set that will be performed for a sophisticated and appreciative audience. This combo class will perform at a professional jazz club, providing valuable insights into the life of an artist and the experience of performing at prestigious venues.

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Meet the Instructor & Artistic Director

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MICHAEL RAGONESE | PIANO

Michael Ragonese is a Los Angeles–based pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from California State University, Northridge in 2014.

As a performer, Michael has toured, recorded, and shared the stage with an array of renowned artists including Barbra Streisand, Dave Koz, Engelbert Humperdinck, Bennie Maupin, Ben Wendel, Charnett Moffett, Alphonso Johnson, John Daversa, Louis Cole, Darek Oles, Walter Smith III, Mark Turner, David Binney, Bob Reynolds, Bob Sheppard, Rick Braun, Aubrey Logan, and Grace Kelly.

He has released two albums as a leader and is currently preparing the release of his third, featuring Walter Smith III. Michael has led bands on national and international tours and has been reviewed by leading jazz publications across the country.

In addition to his performance career, Michael serves as Artistic Director of the Libretto Conservatory (recognized by DownBeat as one of the Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the world) and is the founder of the Rags School of Music in Los Angeles.

Guest Clinician

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SULLIVAN FORTNER | PIANO

For more than a decade, Sullivan Fortner has been stretching deep-rooted talents as a pianist, composer, band leader and uncompromising individualist. The GRAMMY Award-winning artist and educator out of New Orleans received international praise as both key player and producer for his collaborative work on The Window, alongside Cecile McLorin Salvant, and earned a 2023 GRAMMY nomination for his provocative arrangement of “Optimistic Voices/No Love Dying” from her 2022 release Ghost Song.

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A highly-sought improviser, Fortner has performed across the country and throughout the world at such cultural institutions as Snug Harbor, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, Sweet Lorraine’s and The Jazz Playhouse in New Orleans, and Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Standard and Smalls Jazz Club in New York City. He’s appeared at celebrated festivals, including Newport, Monterey, Discover, Tri-C and Gillmore Keyboard, among others. His notable studio contributions include work on Etienne Charles’s Kaiso (Culture Shock, 2011), Donald Harrison’s Quantum Leap (FOMP, 2010), and Theo Croker’s The Fundamentals (Left Sided Music, 2007). 

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THE LIBRETTO CONSERVATORY

From composition to performance to promotion, get ready to strengthen your skills to become a jazz artist!

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