2025 JAZZ HOUSE SUMMER WORKSHOP
AUGUST 4 – AUGUST 16
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.
Masterclasses with renowned special guests • History + Culture
Small group + big band ensembles, improv • Composition
Daily combo performances and jam sessions • Vocal Jazz Academy • TV + Film Scoring • Music Production • CHiCA Power
The workshop provides a safe environment where young musicians are mentored by an array of acclaimed faculty made up of leading jazz musicians, composers and educators, as well as visiting guest artists. Together, emerging musicians create musical bonds and memories that will last a lifetime.
LOCATION
John J. Cali School of Music
Montclair State University
1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043
AGES + LEVELS
12-18; all levels welcome
WORKSHOP HOURS
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Student drop off is at 8:30 AM)
- Optional private lessons from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Informal Student Jam Sessions from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
SUMMER WORKSHOP PROGRAM
COMBOS
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.
VOCAL JAZZ ACADEMY
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.
FACULTY + GUEST ARTISTS
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.
CHiCA POWER Ⓡ
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.
TV & FILM SCORING
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.
COMPOSITION
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.
MUSIC PRODUCTION
Students will explore the essential recording and production techniques necessary to create their own songs. In an ever increasing ‘do-it-yourself’ environment, musicians who are able to produce their own material certainly have a leg up!
FAMILY BBQ
All students, faculty, friends and families are invited to meet and mingle (socially distant!) for an outdoor BBQ picnic and student jam.
SUMMER WORKSHOP PERFORMANCES
BIG BANDS AT DIZZY’S
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.
COMBOS AT THE CONCERT HALL
Perform on stage in the state-of-the-art Leshowitz Recital Hall at Montclair State University, live-streamed on our Facebook page.
FINAL PERFORMANCE!
Workshop students will hold their final performances all day on Saturday, August 16th at the annual Summer Showcase, before an audience of jazz fans, family and friends. Excitement builds as professional bands take the stage to close out the evening.
RESIDENTIAL LIFE
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!
- Modern air-conditioned double occupancy dorms
- Transportation provided
- All meals included
- After-hour + weekend activities and excursions
- On-site laundry services
- Check in: Sunday, August 3, 2025
- Check out: Saturday, August 16, 2025
DAILY SCHEDULE
Monday – Friday
- 8:30 AM Arrival
- 8:45 AM Announcements
- 9:00 AM Instrumental Tech
- 10:00 AM Improv
- 11:00 AM Combos/Lunch/History
- 12:10 PM Combos/Lunch/History
- 1:20 PM Combos/Lunch/History
- 2:30 PM Guest Artist Symposium
- 3:30 PM Big Band
- 5:30 PM Dismissal; Jam Sessions
+ Specialty Classes
*Subject to change
Register Now!
TUITION
- Deposit: $150 per registration at checkout
- Tuition: $1,995 (includes the $150 deposit)
- Tuition Assistance application: Deadline to submit is May 15th (extended)
- Residential Option:
- Housing Add On: $1,695
- International Fee/Airport Transportation: $225
- Move in date: August 3, 2025
13 nights; evening + weekend activities - Please fill out this application with your registration
IMPORTANT DATES
- Extended Deadline to Register: June 1st
- Extended Deadline to submit the Tuition Assistance application: May 15th
- Deadline to submit auditions: June 1st
STUDENT PLACEMENTS
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 2025 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 June 1, 2025. For more information on the audition process click here.
CANCELATION POLICY
- A mandatory, non refundable, $150 deposit is due at the time of registration.
- We offer a 100% refund (excluding the $150 initial deposit) until June 1st. For this option, your $150 registration fee will be applied to any other programs your child may register for at the JAZZ HOUSE for that year.
- We offer a 50% refund (excluding the $150 initial deposit) June 2 – July 18th.
- We do not offer any refunds beyond July 18th.
QUESTIONS?
Call us at 973-744-2273 or email via STUDENTSERVICES@JAZZHOUSEKIDS.ORG
We thank our 2023 Summer Workshop Supporters:
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.