Youth Jazz Classes
2024 – 2025 School Year
JAZZ HOUSE Montclair is thrilled to announce that fall registration for the 2024-2025 school year at the JAZZ HOUSE is now open! 🎵
As we gear up for another exciting year of music education and performance, we invite all aspiring musicians to join our community. To register, please use the button provided below & follow the registration instructions. We can’t wait to welcome you to another harmonious year at JAZZ HOUSE!
2024 – 2025 Highlights
- Weekly small/large ensembles and Improv
- Electives including Afro-Latin Big Band
- New Vocal Academy on Saturday Mornings
- Ages 12 Through adult; all levels welcome
- Multiple Performance Opportunities
2024 – 2025 Tuition
Youth Class $1,300
- Small Combo $1,300
- Large Ensembles Big Band $1,300
- Pre-College Academy Bundle $3000
Improv, Small Ensemble, Large Ensemble - Weekday Instrumental Class Bundle $3000
Improv, Small Ensemble, Large Ensemble - Vocal Academy Class Bundle $2600
- Jazz House Choir & Technique $1300
- Solo Singing & The Art of Improvisation $1300
- Electives $875
All options require:
- $150 registration fee
- $125 multi-class discount (does not apply to bundle)
- $50 multi-person family discount
- Tuition Assistance is available for the 2024/2025 season.
After registration and submission of audition videos, students will receive an email with their class placements, dates, and times. Students are placed into ensembles based on experience level. This email will come within a week of registration.
QUESTIONS?
Call us at 973-744-2273 or email
studentservices@jazzhousekids.org
Ensembles
LOUIS ARMSTRONG
MONDAYS 5:15 – 6:30 PM | Patrick Gannon
SATURDAYS 10:00 – 11:15 AM | Ed Palermo
The Louis Armstrong Ensemble is the place where our youngest beboppers meet and are introduced to the joy of swing!
LEGACY BIG BAND
MONDAYS 5:15 – 7:00 PM | Erica von Kleist
Explore the music of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charles Mingus and other grand masters of jazz. The The ensembles address jazz phrasing and improvisation, and focus on developing skills for playing in a section.
BLUES + ROOTS
MONDAYS 7:15 – 8:45 PM | Alex Laurenzi, Anthony Ware, Patrick Gannon
SATURDAYS 10:00 – 11:30 AM | Galo Inga
Students will begin to build their foundation of jazz by starting with the blues, standard tunes, and jazz classics in a fun and engaging setting.
MOSAIC BIG BAND + HERITAGE BIG BANDS
TUESDAYS 5:15 – 7:00 PM | Lance Bryant and Rachel Therrien
These ensembles explore the music of the grand masters of jazz, address jazz phrasing and improvisation, and focus on developing skills for playing in a section.
MESSENGERS + ORGAN MESSENGERS
TUESDAYS 7:15 – 8:45 PM | Radam Schwartz
SATURDAYS 10:00 – 11:30 AM | TBD
The road to jazz is paved with Blues & Roots! Building on the foundation of jazz, blues & roots swings with the jazz organ, with its rich history and distinct style. Jazz House KiDS is the only pre-college institution that includes an organ component as part of it’s curriculum celebrating this rich music tradition with deep roots our own Newark NJ.
ELECTIVES
ROOTS OF IMPROV
MONDAYS 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Erica von Kleist
TUESDAYS 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Birsa Chatterjee
The Roots of Improvisation elective is for students looking to expand their base of jazz knowledge. This improv session will develop students’ theory and give them a stronger understanding of the language of improvisation.
Rhythm Section Workout
WEDNESDAYS 4:00 – 5:30 PM | TBD
A focused class for jazz rhythm section players aiming to elevate their craft. Participants will refine their skills in essential areas like time, feel, accompanying, groove, and active listening. Through practical exercises and ensemble work, students will learn to create a cohesive, dynamic rhythm section that enhances the overall sound of any jazz group.
Giglet Bootcamp
WEDNESDAYS 4:00 – 6:00 PM | Birsa Chatterjee
An intensive program designed for young jazz musicians to tackle the art of playing gigs. This course focuses on memorizing standard jazz repertoire, honing musical professionalism, and improving communication skills. Through hands-on practice, students will learn to apply jazz language over classic standards, preparing them to excel in live performance settings.
Afro-Latin Big Band
WEDNESDAYS 6:30 – 8:30 PM | Juanga Lakunza
The Afro-Latin Big Band celebrates the vibrant fusion of Afro-Latin rhythms and jazz. With a focus on percussion and danceable tunes, this ensemble offers a lively and immersive experience, bringing the rich cultural heritage of Afro-Latin music to life.
NEW! SATURDAYS AT THE JAZZ HOUSE
Vocal Academy
The Jazz House Vocal Academy offers an immersive weekly experience for aspiring vocalists, held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. This dynamic program focuses on developing vocal technique, enhancing solo performance skills, and fostering a love for choral singing. Students will have the opportunity to refine their voices, explore a wide range of jazz repertoire, and grow as confident, versatile singers within a supportive community.
The day begins with Improv/Ear Training from 9:00-9:30 a.m., where students sharpen their improvisational skills and develop a keen ear for jazz harmonies. Next, from 9:30-11:15 a.m., the focus shifts to Choir, providing an opportunity to experience the power of group singing and hone choral techniques. After a brief break, the session continues from 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. with Vocal Technique to Solo Singing, where students refine their vocal skills and gain confidence in solo performances, preparing them to shine as individual artists.
- 9am-9:30am – Improv Dylan Pramuk
- 9:30am-11:15am – Choir Dylan Pramuk
- 11:45am-1:15pm – Solo Singing Kate Baker
Saturday Instrumental
For families who need weekend offerings due to busy schedules we have small ensembles at three experience levels!
- Louis Armstrong Ensemble 10:00am -11:15am Ed Palermo
- Blues & Roots 10:00am – 11:30am Galo Inga
- Messengers & Organ Messengers 10:00am – 11:30am TBD
PRE-COLLEGE ACADEMY ON SUNDAY
NEWLY EXPANDED!
Among the nation’s top pre-collegiate instrumental training programs for serious-minded advanced students from across the region. The flagship program includes the awarding-winning JAZZ HOUSE Big Band and JAZZ HOUSE Ambassadors Ensemble. Held on Sunday afternoons throughout the school year, the rich elective offerings help emerging musicians take their musicianship to the next level. JAZZ HOUSE Academy students participate in high-profile annual performances, competitions and touring to further enhance national exposure of these talented students. Many of our alums go on to attend world-class conservatories and prestigious academic institutions with significant merit-based music scholarships and are recognized on today’s jazz scene as tomorrow’s rising stars. Pre-Placement Required
DYNASTY TRACK
DYNASTY BIG BAND
SUNDAYS 12:00 – 2:30 PM | Darrell Smith
This ensembles explore the music of the grand masters of jazz, address jazz phrasing and improvisation, and focus on developing skills for playing in a section.
IMPROV
SUNDAYS 3:00 – 4:00 PM | Brandon McCune, Jason Marshall
This improv session will develop the student’s theory and give them a stronger understanding of the language of improvisation. Advanced Level
MESSENGERS + AMBASSADORS SMALL ENSEMBLES
SUNDAYS 4:00 – 5:30 PM
JAZZ HOUSE BIG BAND TRACK
IMPROV
SUNDAYS 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Caili O’Doherty, Radam Schwartz, Mike Lee
This improv session will develop the student’s theory and give them a stronger understanding of the language of improvisation. Advanced Level
JAZZ HOUSE AMBASSADORS
SUNDAYS 1:00 – 2:30 PM | Caili O’Doherty, Radam Schwartz, Mike Lee
Our most advanced students take center stage in the Ambassadors Ensemble, where they receive college-level instruction from world-class jazz educators. With opportunities to perform at prestigious venues and competitions nationwide, this ensemble tackles challenging repertoire with precision and passion.
JAZZ HOUSE ORCHESTRA
SUNDAYS 3:00 – 6:00 PM | Nathan Eklund
As our premier, audition-only ensemble, the Jazz House Orchestra is one of the most sought-after high school bands in the country. This elite group of young musicians competes at the highest level and performs at top venues, providing an unparalleled opportunity for serious and dedicated students.
Major support for our programs is provided by:
Brandenburg Productions, BDP Holdings, Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Kenneth Goldman Donor Fund, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Ralph Pucci International, Regan Family Foundation, Rose Cali, TD Charitable Foundation, Trinity Church Wall Street, The Victoria Foundation, and our many other generous supporters.
THANK YOU!