ABOUT MICHAEL
ABOUT MICHAEL
MUSIC
MUSIC
MUSIC
A 8-Week Program for Creative Musical Expression and Industry Navigation
The Modern Artist Combo Class brings together talented young artists across SoCal, ages 14-18, to learn more about improvisation, composition, performance, and entrepreneurship.
Modeled after the 5-day Summer intensive, this combo class is perfect for students looking for an extended program where they can dive even deeper into their skills development and gain invaluable experience collaborating with a group.
MISSION
INSTRUCTION
DETAILS
The Modern Artist aims to solidify music fundamentals, improve original musical expression, and discover creative ways to navigate the music industry.
The Modern Artist is led by pianist Michael Ragonese and saxophonist Alex Hahn. Learn more about our artist instructors below.
When: Oct 15th - Dec 3, 2025
Where: Burbank Academy of Music
Deadline to Apply: Sept 30, 2025
LISTEN + LEARN + APPLY
The Modern Artist Music Pedagogy
The Modern Musician 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
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Jazz Improvisation
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Jazz History/Listening
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Jazz Theory/Harmony
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Composition
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Music Technology
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Music Professionalism/Entrepreneurship
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Small Group Rehearsals
Logistics
TUITION & FEES
$625
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SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Oct 15th: 5:30pm-7pm @ Burbank Music Academy
Wednesday, Oct 22nd: 5:30pm-7pm @ Burbank Music Academy
Wednesday, Oct 29th: 5:30pm-7pm @ Burbank Music Academy
Wednesday, Nov 5th: 5:30pm-7pm @ Burbank Music Academy
Wednesday, Nov 12th: 5:30pm-7pm @ Burbank Music Academy
Wednesday, Nov 19th: 5:30pm-7pm @ Burbank Music Academy
Wednesday, Nov 26th: 5:30pm-7pm @ Burbank Music Academy
Dec 5th: Recording session TBD
Dec 6th: Concert TBD
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LOCATION
Classes @ Burbank Music Academy
Recording Session @ Private Recording Studio in Burbank*
Final Performance: Hollywood Piano, Pasadena
*Address will be provided via email to registered students.
Learn & Create in a Professional Music Studio
Participants in the 8-week Modern Artist Combo Class will have the opportunity to rehearse in a professional studio space and record the pieces they have been working on together.
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By immersing themselves in the recording process, students will gain valuable insights into studio techniques, production nuances, and the intricacies of bringing their musical creations to life. This real-world exposure not only enhances their technical skills but also prepares them for the dynamic and competitive landscape of the music industry.
Meet the Instructors
MICHAEL RAGONESE | PIANO
Los Angeles-based jazz pianist and composer Michael Ragonese has become one of the most in-demand voices of his generation, performing, touring, and recording with icons such as Barbra Streisand, Walter Smith III, Ben Wendel, Mark Turner, Dayna Stephens, Charnett Moffett, Bennie Maupin, Dave Binney, and Engelbert Humperdinck. With two acclaimed albums—Day to Day (2019) and Stracci (2023)—Ragonese has established a distinct sound rooted in jazz, classical, and his Italian heritage.
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His upcoming third album, Chasing Calm, recorded in January 2025 and set for release on October 10, reunites his powerhouse quartet featuring Walter Smith III, Luca Alemanno, and JK Kim. In support of the release, Ragonese will embark on a full U.S. tour throughout 2025, with a European tour planned for early 2026, booked by Dox Live in the Benelux region. A regular at top jazz clubs nationwide and a featured clinician at universities, Ragonese continues to expand his voice and presence in the modern jazz landscape.
ALEX HAHN | SAXOPHONE
Alumni of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance and 1st Place Winner in the Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition, Alex Hahn is a Grammy Award Winning saxophonist, composer, and educator based in Southern California. Hahn has performed and recorded with notable names such as Herbie Hancock, Billy Childs, John Clayton, Peter Erskine, and has recorded on Michael Bublé’s last three Grammy Nominated Albums including “Higher,” which won a Grammy Award in 2023. Hahn’s most recent album, ‘Childhood Melodies,” released in 2024, has received over one million streams across all platforms.
Hahn currently serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and is the Co-Founder of the Modern Artist Summer Jazz Intensive. He is an endorsed artist with Eastman Winds, D’Addario Woodwinds, JJ Babbitt, and Key Leaves.
