JazzTimes’ Guide To SUMMER 2020 JAZZ CAMPS & PROGRAMS
United States
ALASKA
Juneau Jazz & Classics Festival
May 1-9
Juneau
(907) 463-3378
Description: Juneau Jazz & Classics brings world-class artists to inspire, teach, and enrich the lives of Alaskans in a beautiful yet remote location. JJ&C education includes school clinics, performances and public workshops.
Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival
July 12-26
University of Alaska, Fairbanks
(907) 474-8869
AK Jazz Workshop Summer 2020 Jazz Camp
August 3-8
University of Alaska Anchorage Fine Arts Building, Anchorage
(907) 332-3234
Description: The AJW Jazz Camp at UAA features internationally acclaimed and Alaska Jazz Master Artists guiding beginner to advanced music students on a fun exploration of the creative art of jazz improvisation. The camp schedule is 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. M-F with student and faculty concerts on Fri. and Sat. Our guest artist will be drummer Mark Walker.
ARIZONA
Curry Summer Music Camp at Northern Arizona University
Junior Session: June 21–27 (grades 7–9)
Resident camper $750, commuter camper $500
Senior Session: June 14–July 20 (grades 9–12)
Resident camper $1500, commuter camper $1000
Flagstaff
(928) 523-2323
ARKANSAS
Youth Jazz Camp at the University of Arkansas
June 21-26
Fayetteville
communitymusicschool.uark.edu/summer-programs/youth-jazz-camp
Adult Jazz Camp at the University of Arkansas
June 25-28
Fayetteville
communitymusicschool.uark.edu/summer-programs/adult-jazz-camp
CALIFORNIA
Pacific Jazz Camp
June 14-20
University of the Pacific, Stockton
(209) 946-2416
Audience: Grades 8-12 (19/20 school year)
Description: Pacific Jazz Camp does not accept beginners and reserves the right to dismiss any student not meeting admission and instrumentation requirements. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited. Students completing grades 8 through 12 in the spring of 2020 are eligible to apply. Auditions to be admitted are not required but participants should have a minimum of 2 full years of experience. Chair placement auditions are held on the first day of camp. Jazz choir is offered at the Senior Camp only.
Pacific Summer Jazz Colony
June 14-20
University of the Pacific, Stockton
(209) 946-3196
Audience: High school students entering grades 10-12
Description: The Summer Jazz Colony is a one-week, intensive educational program in jazz performance for a very limited number of exceptionally talented students. They come from throughout the U.S. and beyond to study with University of the Pacific faculty, guest artists and master teachers, in combo rehearsals, master classes and private instruction, classes in jazz theory and advanced jazz improvisation, and seminars. Colonists have extensive opportunities to visit with the artists and clinicians, participate in numerous jam sessions, and perform in concert.
Monterey Jazz Festival Summer Jazz Camp
June 14-20
Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey
(831) 373-3366
montereyjazzfestival.org/jazz-education/summer-jazz-camp
Audience: Open to all instrumentalists and vocalists in grade 6 through college freshmanDescription: Instrument-specific master classes focusing on technique, theory and jazz language, small-group rehearsals that invite you to develop your improvisational skills, big-band rehearsals tailored to your level, camp-wide clinics and opportunities to play alongside our professional faculty.
Jazz Camp West
June 20-27
YMCA Camp Jones Gulch, La Honda
(510) 858-5313
Audience: Adults and teens 15 years and up; beginners through professionals
Description: Jazz Camp West is an eight-day jazz immersion program for instrumentalists, vocalists and dancers of all skill levels. The combination of workshops, personalized instruction, student performances, faculty concerts, late-night jams and beautiful surroundings with new friends and mentors creates an inspiring and memorable week. 48 all-star faculty and 250 participants of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels come together for a creative experience that is profoundly rewarding.
Guitar Workshop Plus
June 21-26
San Diego
(905) 567-8000
Audience: Courses for all ages (teenager through adult), levels and styles
Description: Guitar Workshop Plus is much more than just a guitar camp or summer music camp. They offer week-long workshops in a musical environment at great facilities. Guitar, bass, drum, keyboard and vocal courses are offered for all levels, ages and styles including rock, blues, jazz, acoustic, country, classical and songwriting. This top-ranked summer music program allows students to participate in morning and afternoon classes that involve a hands-on approach. Also late-afternoon clinics and ensemble performances.
California Jazz ConservatoryVarious dates Downtown Berkeley Arts District, Berkeley
(510) 845-5373
Description: A five-day Summer Youth Program (two five-day sessions, June 22–26 and July 27–31, both Monday–Friday 9:30 am–3 pm) open to instrumentalists entering grades 7-10. Students develop skills in ensemble playing, music reading, improvisation, instrumental technique, rhythm, jazz theory and more. The ensemble programs are at the core of the Summer Youth Program curriculum. In each session, students develop instrumental technique, section skills including blend, intonation and phrasing, ear training, reading, and improvisation. The ensemble directors introduce students to a range of music drawn from jazz and related traditions, focusing both on historically important pieces (the songs we think every up-and-coming musician should know!) and on material that is more contemporary.
Idyllwild Arts Summer Program
June 28-July 11
Idyllwild
(951) 468-7265
idyllwildarts.org/summer/teens-kids/music
Audience: Ages 14-18
Description: Up your jazz playing by learning from some of the best jazz artists in the country – professionals who earn a living playing and teaching the next generation of musicians. In this summer jazz camp, you’ll get the opportunity to rehearse and perform daily in big bands and combos as well as get specialized coaching on your instrument. Daily curriculum will include music theory, arranging and improvisational techniques, and master classes. Guest artists and faculty perform with students at concerts held at the end of each week.
Stanford Jazz Workshop
Various dates
Stanford University, Stanford
(650) 736-0324
Description: SJW offers three jazz-immersion opportunities: Giant Steps Day Camp for middle school students (July 6-10); Jazz Camp, a residential program for ages 12-17 (July 12-17 or July 19-24); and Jazz Institute, which puts advanced young players and adults together with some of the greatest jazz musicians in the world, focusing on improv skills and combo performance (July 26-31). Adult jazzers and jazz educators will enjoy the Jazz Institute, and admission to evening concerts at the Stanford Jazz Festival is included.
Alex de Grassi’s Mendocino Summer Guitar Workshop
July 12-19
Albion Retreat and Learning Center, Albion
(707) 318-7932
Audience: All ages, intermediate to advanced acoustic guitar players
An intensive, interactive workshop for intermediate and advanced guitarists and for
