WORK HARD AND PLAY HARD at the award-winning JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop held on the campus of Montclair State University. The intensive two-week session immerses instrumental and vocal students in the art of jazz performance and helps them become well-rounded musicians. Students of all levels receive mentoring and top-notch instruction to develop key skills and enhance knowledge in fundamentals of music.
John J. Cali School of Music
Montclair State University
1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043
12-18; all levels welcome
Rehearse each day with a small ensemble – the “small combo” is at the heart of jazz, providing the space and freedom for musicians to improvise and create at the highest levels. Performance opportunities will include outdoor community concerts.
Calling all singers! Study with distinguished New York City-based faculty for advanced jazz ensemble singing, coupled with an exciting curriculum of vocal technique, theory and repertoire development. Vocal Academy students will participate in jam sessions and sing with small jazz combos in outdoor community concerts. Vocal large ensemble open to instrumentalists who sing as well.
Work with an incredible core faculty every day that includes more than 25 leading jazz musicians, composers and educators! Our own 8-time GRAMMY Award-winning bassist CHRISTIAN McBRIDE leads masterclasses and coaches ensembles on a variety of techniques and subjects, as well as many weekly special guests. Past guests include Ron Blake, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Anat Cohen, Antonio Hart, Louis Hayes, Ingrid Jensen, Ashley Kahn, Geoffrey Keezer, Oliver Lake, Harold Mabern, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Russell Malone, Eddie Palmieri, Christian Sands, Norman Simmons, Akiko Tsugura and Steve Turre.
Rise and Improvise! Be part of this “girls only” initiative that empowers young women and the next generation of female jazz musicians, while having fun playing this great American art form and learning about the rich contributions of women in jazz. Masterclasses are led by internationally celebrated female jazz artists such as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ingrid Jensen, Michela Marino Lerman, Anat Cohen, Regina Carter, and Camila Meza.
Get the “tools” needed to navigate avenues open to today’s composers. This custom track focuses on technical skills and the composition process while students learn about musical ideas, sketches, revisions and performance for TV & film scoring.
Experiment with writing concepts and expand your improvising voice through composition! Students will improve their musicianship by recording their creations as well as by performing on other student composed pieces.
All students, faculty, friends and families are invited to meet and mingle for an outdoor BBQ picnic and student jam.
Clubs are where jazz was born and where it will live on! Perform on the same stage as jazz legends at the acclaimed Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center with its panoramic views of the New York City skyline, hosted by Artistic Director Christian McBride.
Perform on stage in the state-of-the-art Leshowitz Recital Hall at Montclair State University, live-streamed on our Facebook page.
Workshop students will present their final performances on Saturday, August 15th at the Montclair Jazz Festival, performing throughout the day for an audience of family, friends, and jazz enthusiasts from across the region and beyond. As one of the largest free jazz festivals in the tri-state area, the Montclair Jazz Festival features a lineup of world-class artists, and we are proud to offer our students the opportunity to perform on a stage of this caliber.
JAZZ HOUSE Summer Workshop students hail from all over the country and the world, including regular cohorts who come year after year from Mexico, the United Kingdom and Peru. All students registered in the workshop may opt to stay in the dorms, including weekends, at Montclair State University’s Bloomfield College, a short ride away from the Cali School of Music and a quick train to Manhattan. Students are chaperoned by JAZZ HOUSE staff. Space is limited; submit the housing supplement with your online Summer Workshop registration today!
Monday – Friday
*Subject to change
All students from beginner to advanced ages 12-18 are welcome! Students outside of age range will be accommodated based on experience level.
ALL STUDENTS must prepare and submit video auditions to place them in the appropriate 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.
AUDITION GUIDELINES
Audition links can be submitted in the “Link to audition video on YouTube” line of your registration form. All audition materials are due May 1, 2026. For more information on the audition process click here.
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.
