Master Classes are designed to teach and reinforce basic fundamentals. The instructor assists the students with the practices of sound, intonation/pitch, technique, articulation, musicianship, how to practice, how to sight-read, and the critical skill of knowing how to listen.  It is important to note that during the class time, students are actively participating through artist/educator demonstrations and group participation.  Special attention is given to the unique technical considerations of each instrument group and how their instruments fits into the larger ensembles in terms of balance, color, and other factors. Students are provided materials, exercise sheets, and hand-outs, so everyone can continue to practice basic fundamentals after the Jazz Workshop ends.

Each day begins with 30-minute Student/Teacher Initiated Classes, before the regular classes begin.  Students and/or teachers initiate these classes to address special needs of the students.

Jazz Combos are small performing musical ensembles in which students are placed by ability levels, allowing them to receive individual attention from the teacher in order to learn, practice, and develop their improvisatory skills.  Jazz combos usually have between seven and nine members.

Students are placed in daily Jazz Improvisation courses based on ability levels.  In these classes the students learn scales, chords, ear training, jazz nuances (such a glissandos, fall offs, bends, shakes, etc.), and how to listen to jazz music. These classes assist the student in developing the confidence and ability to create their own music and melodies.

On the first day of the Workshop, all students are auditioned and placed in Jazz Improvisation, Big Band, and Jazz Combo classes with students of like abilities. This allows students to learn the maximum amount of information in the shortest period of time, and to perform in ensembles with students of the same ability levels.

At each Jazz Workshop held throughout the world, a recognized jazz artist is featured to perform special concerts, present innovative master classes, and work with students.  Some of the guest artists in past years have been Eric Marienthal, Robin Eubanks, Rosario Giuliani, Antonio Hart, James Carter, and Allison Miller.

Jazz Competitions are held at each Jazz Workshop to encourage attendees to prepare a video of their playing. The musician then  submits the YouTube information to the audition committee.  The video can be with a rhythm section, from a play-along-recording, or just the musician alone, with no background.  From these videos, a maximum of 10 semi-finalists will be selected to perform on the second day of the Jazz Workshop with the faculty rhythm section.

From this semi-final round, three individuals will be selected to participate with the faculty rhythm section in the Final Round for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.  Each of these awards will include free tuition to the Workshop, plus additional awards from major music companies and from the organizer, Jazz Education Abroad.

Our Online Workshops are designed as a new and different way of learning, where technology plays the main role.

We offer the same classes and cover the same materials as in a face-to-face workshop, but have implemented new and creative ways of participation in jazz combos and jazz big bands. Recording has always been an important part of being a musician, and participants will have this opportunity online!

We’re very excited to be able to offer these innovative jazz workshops to you.

‘Technology and Jazz Education Abroad Working Together for Our Future!’

At the end of each day teachers perform for the students so they have chance to not only listen to their teachers perform, but also to learn the etiquette and the discipline that is inherent in the performance of jazz music. Our youtube channel: visit

Jazz Workshops are usually designed for a three- to a seven-day period and includes all levels of abilities, from the very beginning student who has never played jazz, to those individuals who are at an advanced level.  Most students are from junior high school through adult age.

Students are welcome to participate on any instrument, whether it is a Western musical instrument such as flute, clarinet, violin, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, bass, drums, etc., or whether it is an instrument that is unique to other countries such as the oud, pipa, accordion, tabla, etc.

Made up of 12-20 musicians, these ensembles perform music by the great masters such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie, as well as more contemporary writers/arrangers such as Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, and many others.  In these ensembles, students learn to read music, to interpret the written music in the jazz style, and to add unwritten jazz nuances and phrasing to the music. Also, these large ensembles give outstanding students the opportunity to be featured soloists, as well as work together in a large group of musicians, working for a common outcome.