Monterey Jazz
Education
Monterey Jazz
Education
Monterey Jazz has been committed to nurturing the next generation of jazz since the beginning. Our education programs include bringing professional jazz artists into schools, summer camps, touring all-star student ensembles, online resources, instrument rentals and repertoire, and more.
At the core of Monterey Jazz’s education initiatives lies our fun and truly transformational jazz programs, designed to uplift jazz musicians of all ages and experience levels. See below for details.
Each year, Monterey Jazz brings together some of the most accomplished high school jazz musicians from across the country to form the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra (NGJO) directed by GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer, Gerald Clayton, and the Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo, directed by award-winning bassist, Katie Thiroux.
Since 2019, Monterey Jazz Festival has partnered with Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas, one of the largest and most comprehensive historically black colleges and universities in the nation to broaden the reach of the Monterey Jazz’s education programs to many more young people, while leveraging TSU’s commitment and legacy of jazz excellence. In addition, selected HBCU jazz ensembles from compete in our HBCU Jazz Combo Challenge. The winning combo will be selected by a panel of jazz adjudicators and will be invited to perform at the annual Monterey Jazz Festival.
“The spirit of global outreach embodied by the NGJO (which was simply known as the “California High School All-Stars” when I was in the band) has taken on a life far beyond that of being a mere modest offshoot of the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival it once was … having become one of the most highly-regarded and fertile of international breeding grounds for young, exceptional musical talents and future leaders from around the world.”
Members of our jazz ensembles benefit from first-class jazz instruction while they play and learn together. Performances are hosted and promoted by Monterey Jazz and some are invited to play at our legendary festival.
As part of our ongoing support for music education in schools, Monterey Jazz is excited to announce audition opportunities to join our remarkable Regional All-Star Band. In the 2024-25 school year, students will have the benefit of working with some of the county’s best jazz educators. In addition, All-Star Band students who satisfy a set of requirements established by Monterey Jazz’s Education department will receive a Certificate of Excellence in Professional Musicianship.
Middle and high school instrumentalists and vocalists of all skill levels are welcome to join this intensive and immersive jazz camp. Students will study and perform with our nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty members.
Jazz Uplifts! is Monterey Jazz Festival’s newest addition to its extraordinary education programs, and provides students with opportunities to explore music learning through educational jazz concerts.
Trading Fours is a fun jazz ensemble class for intermediate to advanced level adult musicians. Led by jazz pianist Bill Spencer, Trading Fours will meet on selected Wednesdays from 7-9pm from April through October and will have a live performance as its final project.
“The educational program of Monterey Jazz is one of its greatest legacies. I know I wouldn’t be playing music professionally if it hadn’t been for that.”
Monterey Jazz is committed to making music education accessible and affordable to any students who wish to participate.
Monterey Jazz believes that all students, regardless of their age, gender, or socioeconomic background should receive equal opportunities to participate in music education and develop musical skills.
To support this vision, our Financial Assistance Program provides need-based financial assistance.
Each year, Berklee College of Music and Monterey Jazz seek applicants for the prestigious James L. Lyons Scholarship at Berklee.
Established in honor of Monterey Jazz’s late founder, James (Jimmy) Lyons, every year a full-tuition scholarship to Berklee is awarded to one outstanding student musician from the West Coast.
At Monterey Jazz, students learn directly from top jazz talents with experience and passion for teaching and inspiring other musicians.
Our instructors have trained at some of the finest institutions in the world and are accomplished jazz musicians in their own right. Learn from the best!
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