Youth Jazz Classes
JAZZ HOUSE KiDS is excited to announce our 2023-2024 classes!
The JAZZ HOUSE Montclair welcomes new instrumental and vocal students of all levels and abilities, from beginners to pre-professionals headed to the nation’s top college music programs. Program offerings include award-winning ensembles, masterclasses, GRAMMY Award-winning guest artists, jam sessions, and more!
2023 – 2024 Highlights
- Pre-placed ensembles, October 1, 2023 through May 2024
- Skill-Based Electives designed to give you a deep dive into the creative world of composition, the thrill of improvisation and the rhythms of Afro-Latin Jazz!
- Masterclasses hosted by world-renowned guest artists such as eight-time GRAMMY-winning bassist and JAZZ HOUSE Director CHRISTIAN McBRIDE
- Jazz Vocal Academy – join the chorus!
2023 – 2024 Tuition
Youth Class $1,300
- Three class bundle/$3,000
- Sunday Academy/$3,000 (three classes)
- Big Band/$1300
- Small Ensemble Class/$1300
- Improv Class/$875
Electives
- Improv or Rhythm/$875 per class
- Afro-Latin or Vocal Ensemble/$1,075 per class
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 2023/2024 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
Monday 5:15 – 6:30 PM | Studio 2 | Ed Palermo
Saturday 10:30 – 11:45 AM | Studio 1 | Patrick Gannon
The Louis Armstrong Ensemble is the place where our youngest beboppers meet and are introduced to the joy of swing!
LEGACY BIG BAND
Monday 5:15 – 7:00 PM | Annex | Nikara Warren
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
Monday 7:15 – 8:45 PM | Annex | Charlie Sigler
Monday 7:15 – 8:45 PM | Studio 1 | Peter Lin
Monday 7:15 – 8:45 PM | Studio 2 | Anthony Ware
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.
DYNASTY BIG BAND
Tuesday 5:15 – 7:00 PM | Annex | Darrell Smith
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.
ORGAN MESSENGERS
Tuesday 7:15 – 8:45 PM | Studio 1 | Radam Schwartz
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 MESSENGERS
Tuesday 7:15 – 8:45 PM | Studio 2 | TBD
Tuesday 7:15 – 8:45 PM | Annex | B. Chatterjee
The Messengers ensemble explores the art of improvisation, group interaction, and jazz performance while engaging in the advanced study of the jazz idiom.
ELECTIVES
ROOTS OF IMPROVISATION
Monday 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Annex + Studio 1 | Nikara Warren
Tuesday 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Studio 2 | Birsa Chatterjee
The Roots of Improvisation elective is for the student looking to expand his/her base of jazz knowledge. This improv session will develop the student’s theory and give them a stronger understanding of the language of improvisation.
RHYTHM SECTION WORKOUT
Tuesday 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Studio 1 | TBA
This class is a MUST for all rhythm section musicians interested in exploring a world of rhythmic possibilities.
VOCAL CHOIR
Wednesday 6:30 – 8:30 PM | Studio 1 | TBD
This ensemble explores the art of solo and choral singing, plus provides comprehensive instruction in jazz theory and history. All singers from novice to advanced welcome!
AFRO LATIN ENSEMBLE
Wednesday 6:00 – 8:00 PM | Annex | Juanga Lakunza
This elective is for students looking to expand their base of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms. This ensemble will develop students’ understanding of traditional Latin rhythms, songs and techniques.
SUNDAY INSTRUMENTAL
PRE-COLLEGE ACADEMY
Sunday 12:00 – 6:00 PM
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
FUNDAMENTALS
IMPROV
TIME 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Instructors: Mike Lee
This improv session will develop the student’s theory and give them a stronger understanding of the language of improvisation. Advanced Level
SMALL ENSEMBLES
Pre-Placement Required
JAZZ HOUSE AMBASSADORS
Sunday 1:00 – 2:30 pm | Instructors: Mike Lee
This award-winning performance ensemble is composed of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS® top improvisers. Students will receive extensive instruction on small ensemble performance plus an improv class focusing on theory, transcription and language. Advanced Level
JAZZ HOUSE ORGAN AMBASSADORS
Sunday 1:00 – 2:30 pm | Instructor: Radam Schwartz
Take your jazz groove to the next level and explore why the jazz organ has excited fans for decades! Under the direction of Radam Schwartz, JAZZ HOUSE KiDS is the only organization in the nation offering a jazz youth organ program. Advanced Level
BIG BAND
JAZZ HOUSE BIG BAND
Time: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Instructors: Nathan Eklund
All JAZZ HOUSE Pre-College Academy students will be a member of the JAZZ HOUSE BiG BAND. This college preparatory track provides expansive instruction through the award-winning JAZZ HOUSE BIG BAND. Students will play a wide variety of intricate arrangements and music from legendary jazz composers. Advanced Leve
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!