Montclair Summer Sessions give young musicians an exciting and enriching way to keep swinging over the summer. This after-school–style program helps emerging musicians build skills, make friends, and grow creatively in a supportive environment.
On Mondays, students rehearse in small ensembles with world-class faculty, refining repertoire, improvisation, technique, and ensemble interaction. These focused sessions build momentum, strengthen discipline, and elevate each student’s playing through consistent, professional-level ensemble work.
Louis Armstrong Ensemble: Alexandria Dewalt
Blues and Roots Ensemble: Brandon McCune
Messengers Ensemble: Freddie Hendrix
Ambassadors Ensemble: Mike Lee
Super Sax Doubling Class with Mike Lee
Brass Techniques with Freddie Hendrix
Rhythm Section Workout with Brandon McCune
On Mondays, students rehearse in small ensembles with world-class faculty, refining repertoire, improvisation, technique, and ensemble interaction. These focused sessions build momentum, strengthen discipline, and elevate each student’s playing through consistent, professional-level ensemble work.
MONDAYS 5:15 – 6:45 PM | Alexandria Dewalt
Wes Montgomery revolutionized the way the guitar is played. His blues vocabulary and fun compositions bring joy to all who hear them. The compositions selected in this class will be a balance of swing and numerous other rhythms coming out of the hard bop era. (Beginner)
MONDAYS 5:15 – 6:45 PM | Brandon McCune
J.J. Johnson is one of the most iconic trombonists in jazz history. As we celebrate his 100th birthday we also celebrate the musical contributions he brought to both the bebop and hard bop eras. (Intermediate)
Mon | 5:30 – 7:15 pm | Intermediate
Trombonist, arranger and composer Melba Liston is known for her work with the Count Basie Orchestra and the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band. Her arrangements/compositions were used in numerous genres of music including
swing, bebop, hard bop and even Motown.
Mon | 7:30 – 9:00 pm | All levels welcome.
Max Roach is one of the most melodic drummers in jazz history. In the 1970s Roach created a percussion ensemble made up of some of the most in-demand drummers of the time. Join us as we recreate that ensemble with some of the exact arrangements from the 1979 M’Boom album.
Tues | 5:30 – 7:15 pm | Intermediate / Advanced
One of the most recorded jazz musicians ever, Sonny Stitt has been featured on over 100 albums. He was an iconic saxophonist with a vocabulary that was comparable to legend Charlie Parker. This class will explore his sound, improv techniques and compositions in honor of his 100th birthday.
Tues | 5:30 – 7:15 pm | Intermediate/Advanced
Kenny Dorham, nicknamed K.D., was a powerhouse of a trumpet player during the bebop and hard bop eras. He’s on every trumpet player’s list of top 5 trumpet players of all time. This class will take a deep dive into his solos and compositions, as we celebrate his centennial.
Tues | 7:30 – 9:00 pm | Intermediate/Advanced
El Rey de Timbal, Tito Puente is one of the most influential Afro-Latin musicians of all time. The Tito Puente Orchestra brought Afro-Cuban music to mainstream listeners in the 1960s. This ensemble will explore numerous compositions and arrangements from that band and that era.
Tuesdays feature focused electives in jazz theory, improvisation, composition, and arranging. Through hands-on study, students build musical fluency, sharpen creativity, and gain practical tools they can immediately apply to their playing while developing original music and advanced arrangements in a supportive, high-level
learning environment.
Theory for Vocalists with Galo Inga
Composition and Arranging with Lance Bryant
Percussion Ensemble: Darrell Smith
Jazz Choir with Tyler Bassett
Afro Latin Big Band with Juanga Lakunza
Power up your skill set with electives in composition, improv, rhythm section workout, and the Jazz House Vocal Ensemble.
Wednesdays: 5:30 – 7:30 pm | ALL LEVELS
Learn the skills you need to be a more fluid speaker of the Be-Bop Language. Become more confident at the jam session as well as taking solos in your band.
Wednesdays: 5:30 – 7:00 pm | ALL LEVELS
Explore the intricacies of the jazz rhythm section from a variety of different eras, styles, and iconic bands. This is a not to miss chance to deepen your understanding of the important nuances every rhythm section player needs to succeed.
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 9:00 pm | ALL LEVELS
Calling all singers and instrumentalists who love to sing! Learn vocal technique, theory and repertoire development with a repertoire that celebrates some of the most influential and lauded jazz vocalists of all time.
Wednesdays: 7:00 – 9:00 pm | ALL LEVELS
Get started on your own creative path now by unlocking your true artistic voice through composition. The session will end with a recording of your new music!
All students from beginner to advanced ages 12- 18 are welcome! Students outside of age range will be accommodated based on experience level.
New or returning students are asked to prepare and submit video auditions for placement in the appropriate level class. Audition guidelines and materials can be found on the Audition Process page on our website. The same audition will be used for Fall 2026 classes.
Please note that final ensemble placements are at the discretion of the Director, considering instrumentation needs and student level. Students are welcome to register for multiple ensembles if instrumentation allows.
Call us at 973-744-2273 or email via MontclairStudentServices@jazzhousekids.org
The ASCAP Foundation, Conn-Selmer, Inc., Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Ludwig Drums, McDonald’s of Paterson and the Adderley Management Company Inc.,
ShopRite of Newark, and Steinway & Sons, with additional support from TD Charitable Foundation, New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
