Jazz Academy Classes
Classes at the Jazz Academy are designed to engage all ages and interests, from pre-school children to senior citizens, guitar players to aspiring producers, and students to teachers. The Jazz Academy connects people, starts conversations and inspires music making – a place where anyone can listen, learn and play.
Jazz Arts Group opened the Jazz Academy community instructional space in the newly restored and historic Lincoln Theatre complex for multi-generational and recreational music making, ensemble playing, after-school programs, technology instruction and lectures with world-class musicians.
*Community Partners of the Jazz Academy are eligible for reduced fees for classes, camps or workshops. If affiliated with one of the following organizations, please indicate at the time of registration. The reduced partners are for subscribers to the Columbus Jazz Orchestra; Jazz Arts Group’s Youth Jazz participants; employees of Abercrombie & Fitch, Cardinal Health, Nationwide and the State Auto Group; students of Capital University; and members of the Columbus Blues Alliance (CBA), Columbus Music Co-op, WCBE 90.5 FM, WOSU Public Media and United Way of Central Ohio’s Young Leadership Group, Key Club and Cinquefoil.
2010 SPRING CLASSES
CLASSES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
Jumpin’ JaKs with “The Music Lady”
Faculty: Rebecca Ogden
Date/Time: Fridays, April 16 – May 7, 2:00 – 2:50 pm
Registration Deadline: Friday, April 9
Class Fee: $50.00* / $60.00
Age recommendation: 3-5 years old, with a parent or caregiver, snack provided
Jumpin’ JaKs offers preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their parent or caregiver, the opportunity to explore American music in all of its forms. Dance, sing, listen, play and learn about music – from ragtime to jazz – in a fun, creative environment.
VOCAL CLASSES
Vocal I – Exploring the Elements of Singing – Blues, Swing and Jazz
Faculty: Rachel Sepulveda
Date/Time: Mondays, April 12 – May 17, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Monday, April 5
Class Fee: All six weeks: $95.00* / $105.00
History Classes only: $45.00* / $55.00 (April 12 & 26; May 10)
Age recommendation: 15 years and up through adult
Sing your way through history while exploring great vocalists and vocal styles. This interactive class, focusing on early jazz singing, combines three weeks of lecture, directed listening and conversation with three weeks of singing in a “master class” format. The first, third and fifth weeks will focus on the history and context of each vocal style with the alternate weeks providing the opportunity to sing what was learned.
Participants have the option to enroll for just the vocal history weeks or the entire six week session. Students participating in the vocal sessions should have decent pitch recognition, and while not required, basic sight reading and musicianship skills.
Vocal II – Jazz Singing Today
Faculty: Rachel Sepulveda
Date/Time: Thursdays, April 15 – May 20, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, April 8
Class Fee: All six weeks: $95.00* / $105.00
History Classes only: $45.00* / $55.00 (April 15 & 29; May 13)
Age recommendation: 15 years and up through adult
Sing your way through history while exploring great vocalists and vocal styles. Explore jazz vocal ensembles, bebop, scat singing and jazz singing today, combining three weeks of lecture, directed listening and conversation with three weeks of singing in a “master class” format. The first, third and fifth weeks will focus on the history and context of each vocal style with the alternate weeks providing participants the opportunity to sing what was learned.
This course is a logical extension of Vocal I, but Vocal I is not a prerequisite for enrollment in Vocal II. Participants have the option to enroll for just the vocal history weeks or the entire six week session. Students participating in the vocal sessions should have decent pitch recognition, and while not required, basic sight reading and musicianship skills.
Finding Your Own Voice
Faculty: Mary McClendon
Date/Time: Tuesdays, April 13 – May 18, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, April 6
Class Fee: $95.00* / $105.00
Age recommendation: 15 years and up through adult
Finding Your Own Voice is a class for individuals interested in becoming vocalists. From warm-ups and phrasing to technique, style and self-confidence, this course will explore different vocal styles through singing, directed listening, discussion and critique. This class is available for all skill levels and no advanced knowledge is required. Individuals who have taken this class are welcome to continue; new participants are welcome!
GUITAR CLASSES
Rock Guitar Soloing II
Faculty: Dennis Hodges
Date/Time: Saturdays, April 17 – May 22, 9:30 – 10:30 am
Registration Deadline: Friday, April 9
Class Fee: $75.00* / $85.00
Age recommendation: 14 years and up through adult
Continue to explore techniques and ideas from famous rock guitar solos. Increase your knowledge of the guitar neck through scales and patterns. Improve your practice skills and learn great new exercises for strengthening your playing and improvisational skills. Chord background is recommended, and some soloing experience is highly suggested. Participants from Rock Guitar Soloing I are encouraged to continue; new registrants are welcome!
Chords and Scales to Progressions III
Faculty: Tim Cummiskey
Dates/Time: Tuesdays, April 13 – May 18, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, April 6
Class Fee: $95.00* / $105.00
Age recommendation: 15 years and up through adult
In this class, participants will receive an introduction of simple standard chord progression with examples from the American songbook and jazz composition repertoire. Participants who participated in previous sessions are welcome to continue, but it is not a prerequisite for participation. This is an applied theory class with students learning to play and apply the examples discussed in class.
DRUM SET & PERCUSSION CLASSES
Conga Class: Rhythm of the Americas – Afro-Caribbean: Popular Music
Faculty: Eric Paton
Dates/Time: Saturdays, April 17 – May 8, 10:00 am – 12 noon (4 weeks)
Registration Deadline: Friday, April 9
Registration Fee: $70.00* / $80.00
Explore the music and dance rhythms of salsa, mambo, cha-cha-cha, bolero, bachata and meringue. With lots of time provided for playing, participants will receive instruction in technique and sound production. Lecture and discussion will take place on the cultural context of the music, including its use in folkloric and religious settings.
This session is open to anyone, no matter their experience, ages 14 and up through adult. Some instruments will be available – if you have your own conga, please bring it along.
Jazz Drum Set
Faculty: The Governor, Greg Pearson
Date/Time: Thursdays, April 15 – May 20, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, April 8
Class Fee: All six weeks: $150.00* / $160.00
Age recommendation: 15 years and up through adult, registration limited to 8 students
Study jazz drumming in the swing/bebop tradition. Participants will develop components of jazz drumming from a rhythmic/feel orientation. Learn to support and enhance the music as well as develop solos and review counting, time phrasing and form. A variety of great drummers and their styles will be studied and discussed through directed listening and videos. At the course’s conclusion, record with a jazz quartet and perform for family and friends.
PIANO & KEYBOARD CLASSES
Creative Chord Style II – Group Piano Lessons
Faculty: Bradley Sowash
Dates/Time: Wednesdays, April 7 – May 26, 6:00 – 7:30 pm (8 weeks)
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, March 31
Class Fee: $95.00* / $105.00
Age recommendation: 14 years and up through adult, limited to 12 students
Continue to advance your keyboard abilities. This course will build on the basics introduced in Creative Chord Style I, while moving your abilities forward. Students who participated in the fall session are encouraged to continue; new students with some piano playing knowledge are welcome.
Some experience is necessary. Access to a home keyboard for practice is required.
That’s Jazz: Group Piano Lessons
Faculty: Bradley Sowash
Dates/Time: Wednesdays, April 7 – May 26, 7:30 – 9:00 pm (8 weeks)
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, March 31
Class Fee: $95.00* / $105.00
Age recommendation: 14 years and up through adult, limited to 12 students
This hands-on piano class will give students a basic understanding of jazz piano. From developing and playing by ear and reading a lead sheet to improvisation and chord structure, this class will provide an overview of creative music making, terminology, rhythm and song form. This class is recommended for individuals who have some formal piano training and can read treble and bass clef notation. Prior jazz experience is not required.
MUSIC BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY
Home Audio Production
Faculty: Max Lewis
Date/Time: Mondays, April 12 – May 17, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Registration Deadline: Monday, April 5
Class Fee: $95.00* / $105.00
Age recommendation: 14 years and up through adult, registration limited to 12 students
Use the personal computer as a tool for music learning, composition and production. Topics include computer music hardware, software selection and configuration, MIDI sequencing and audio editing, automated accompaniment and scoring tools. Basic computer skills are recommended.
Songwriting and Demo Recording
Faculty: Andy Shaw
Date/Time: Tuesdays, April 13 – May 18, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, April 6
Class Fee: $115.00* / $125.00
Age recommendation: 14 years and up through adult, registration limited
Are you a songwriter with no recording? Have you written a melody and want to work on an arrangement? In this class, students with basic to intermediate songwriting skills will work on rhyming schemes, content and melody ideas, rhythm, harmony and key changes, as well as have some independent time to work on individual ideas. At the end of the quarter, go into the recording lab and record your song as a demo. Singers and instrumentalists are welcome.
Open Studio with Central City Recording
Date/Time: Wednesdays, April 14 – May 26, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Class Fee: $5.00 per hour
No pre-registration required – drop in as is convenient for your schedule; participants must bring needed hardware (flash drives, CD/DVD, etc.)
Open studio is independent study time for individuals who have some experience with music technology, audio recording and/or software OR have previously taken a music technology class at the Jazz Academy. Central City Recording engineers staff open studio to provide professional oversight and assistance.
The Jazz Academy is an educational facility – the classrooms at the Jazz Academy are meant for instruction and are not available for the production of media meant for profit or sale. If you wish to record a “CD” for public distribution, please contact our partners, Central City Recording.
Columbus Music Co-op Workshops for Musicians
Class Fee: Free
Date/Time: Sundays, April 25 and May 2, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
To register for the Columbus Music Co-op Workshops for Musicians please call 614.294.5200 x 107
Join the Columbus Music Co-op and Tony Clark, attorney and co-owner of All Hail Records, for a discussion about important legal issues that can affect musicians, including copyright and trademark decisions, internet licensing, the pros and cons of becoming an LLC, and much more!
April 25
Topics include general business law topics, which include liability issues, LLC/Corporation formation and musician contracts.
May 2
Topics include music and art and the internet, intellectual property and copyright and trademark laws.
Both sessions will include plenty of time for questions and discussion and you can attend one or both of the workshops! These workshops are free but space is limited so please register to secure your spot.
The Columbus Music Co-op is a community organization that advocates for musicians and music in Columbus, Ohio through grants, workshops, networking and community events. For more information about the CMC, please visit www.columbusmusiccoop.org.
Workshop Series in collaboration with New Song Community Church
This May, explore the relationship between secular and sacred music through a series of workshops held at the Jazz Academy and presented by New Song Community Church. From the Pub to the Pew, with Cedric Easton; Improvisation for the Church, with Shawn ‘Thunder’ Wallace; and The Essence of a Vocalist, with Priscilla Woodson are just some of the workshop subjects. Exact workshop dates are still being determined.
For more information, go to: http://www.sacredmusicseries2010.eventbrite.com.
2010 SUMMER CAMPS
Producing Songs
Faculty: Andy Shaw
Dates/Time: Monday, June 14 – Friday, June 18, 9:00 am – 12 noon
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 7
Class Fee: $150.00* / $175.00
Ages: 14 years and up through adult
Arrange and produce your own song! Using the keyboard and recording labs, select one of your tunes and develop it into an arrangement. Add additional parts, including harmonies, bass, drums, and auxiliary percussion. See how a song can be arranged in a recording setting.
Music Business 101
Faculty: Ronald Riley
Dates/Time: Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 18, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 7
Class Fee: $80.00* / $90.00
Ages: middle and high school students
Explore the basics of the music business. From contracts and agents to royalties and copyright law, this class will investigate areas of music business. Learn how to develop a press kit; explore the roles of the business manager, agent and lawyer; and, discuss performance and touring.
Beginning Arrangement and Notational Software
Faculty: Vaughn Wiester & Larry Cook
Class Dates/Time: Tuesdays, June 15 & 22; July 6 & 13, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, June 8
Class Fee: $115.00* / $125.00
Recommended but not required: Inside the Score, by Rayburn Wright published by Kendor Music Inc., Composer, Rayburn Wright, catalog #20870, and access to Sibelius™ software.
This course will cover the basics of musical arrangement and orchestration, with a focus on the big band idiom. Participants will listen to and analyze scores by arrangers such as Sammy Nestico and Bill Holman, and learn how to take simple ideas and flesh them out into full scores for jazz orchestra. Techniques discussed in class will also be applicable to pop/rock, R&B and marching band ensembles. The class will cover how to transfer these ideas into the notational software Sibelius™, to produce clear and effective scores and parts.
CAMP Blues
Faculty: Sean Carney and the Sean Carney Band
Dates/Times: Monday, June 21 through Friday, June 25, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 14
Registration Fee: $300.00* / $325.00
Ages: 14 years and up
Join Sean Carney and the Sean Carney Band for CAMP Blues, a week-long ensemble experience focusing on learning about and playing the blues. Explore the guitar’s, bass’ and drums’ respective roles in blues music and developing participants’ instrumental skills and techniques. Instructors will discuss basic theory, ear training and improvisation with respect to their instrument and practical application in the ensemble setting. Students will hear recorded examples with directed listening and will be given names of recordings to listen to in the future.
In addition, instructors will discuss other aspects of performance such as overcoming stage fright and developmental concepts such as building set lists and selecting material.
On Friday evening, CAMP Blues will conclude with a public performance, location TBD.
Please pack a lunch and drink – we will take a half hour break each day. Instrumentation is limited to guitar, bass and drum set (bring your own sticks). Some experience with your instrument required.
Studio CAMP
Faculty: Andrew Dodson and Jon Chinn of Central City Recording
Dates/Time: Monday, June 28 – Friday, July 2, 12 noon– 5:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 21
Registration Fee: $225.00* / $275.00
Ages: 15 years and up
Learn the art and science of music production and recording! Studio CAMP is a week-long exploration of sound, engineering, recording, software and equipment. From a basic understanding of sound waves and properties to mixing and mastering a live recording and exploring music industry software such as Pro Tools™, participants will learn through lecture, demonstration and hands-on opportunities in the recording and media labs.
Studio CAMP is available to anyone 15+ and is limited to 25 participants. The text, Modern Recording Techniques, 6th Ed., by David Miles Huber, is recommended but not required. A basic knowledge of computers is recommended.
CAMP Rock
Faculty: Dennis Hodges, Ryan Jewell and Larry Cook
Date/Time: Monday, July 5 – Friday, July 9, 9:00 am – 12 noon
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 28
Class Fee: $150.00* / $175.00
Ages: 12 years and up
Get ready to rock! CAMP Rock is for individuals who play guitar, bass, drum set or sing. Explore your instrument’s role in rock-n-roll, including basic technique and theory, ear training and improvisation. Each day will include lecture/discussion, listening to great rock recordings, jamming with your ensemble and sectional rehearsals with camp participants and great professional musicians. At the end of the week, each ensemble will be able to play and perform at least one song. There will be a special “live” performance on Friday evening at 7:00 pm for friends and family.
You must have some experience with your instrument and familiarity with barre chords, minor pentatonic scale, some reading of simple charts and/or tab knowledge.
Strings the Thing CAMP
Faculty: Chris Shaw
Date/Time: Monday, July 5 – Friday, July 9, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 28
Class Fee: $80.00* / $90.00
Ages: middle and high school students
Dive into the world of traditional music through the stringed instrument. Combine elements of music, food and culture to learn how music transcends reading off of a page into a way of life. This camp will emphasize music as a language; ear training; reading “non-traditional” music; culture; community, and fun. Styles may include: bluegrass, Cajun, Western Swing and more. Instruments welcome: violin, viola, cello, upright or electric bass, mandolin, guitar and banjo.
“No Charts!” Ensemble
Faculty: Jay Miglia
Date/Time: Monday, July 12 – Friday, July 15, 10:00 am – 12 noon
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 5
Class Fee: $80.00* / $90.00
Ages: Middle and high school students
Leave your reading glasses at home! The “No Charts!” Ensemble is all about using your ears! This course is designed to introduce students to playing their instruments by ear, an experience that will open new avenues of creativity for every participant. Every day we will memorize a simple tune or two and improvise without reading notes or worrying about jazz theory. The band is open to students entering middle through high school who play “Big Band” instruments: alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, trumpet, trombone, guitar and bass, piano/keyboard and drum set.
IMPROVisation
Faculty: Jay Miglia
Date/Time: Monday, July 12 – Friday, July 15, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 5
Class Fee: $80.00* / $90.00
Ages: middle and high school students
Explore the rhythmic, melodic and harmonic concepts of jazz in this week-long performance oriented camp. We’ll spend most of our time playing the music with less emphasis on lecture. Have fun, develop your musical abilities, and improve your improvisational skills!
“No Charts!” Ensemble & IMPROVisation bundle
Combined Fee: $150.00* / $170.00
Combine the “No Charts!” Ensemble and IMPROVisation camps and spend your whole day listening, learning and playing music at the Jazz Academy. Participants are welcome to pack a lunch and eat in the Jazz Academy lounge.
J is for Jazz CAMP
Faculty: Rebecca Ogden
Date/Time: Monday, July 19 – Friday, July 23, 8:30 am – 12 noon
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 12
Class Fee: $90.00* / $100.00 | Siblings register at $75.00 each
Ages: 7 – 11 years
J is for Jazz CAMP will give kids, ages 7 – 11, the opportunity to indulge in jazz play. Create and improvise through music, movement, art and drama; explore and experiment with a variety of instruments; play together in “jazz ensembles;” develop a jazz vocabulary; and, remember jazz playtime through audio and video experimentation. Special guests will drop in through the week, and the group will record a CD on Friday!
1st Time Improvisers
Faculty: Bradley Sowash
Date/Time: Monday, July 19 – Friday, July 23, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 12
Class Fee: $100.00* / $110.00
Ages: late elementary – middle school students
Every musician should know how to improvise! Improvisation is an approach to making music that can be applied to any instrument or style. And you don’t have to be a genius to do it! In this workshop, learn step-by-step musical tools and practical tips to get improvising immediately.
Participants should know how to play notes on his/her instrument by name and be able to play C, F, G and Bb major scales over at least one octave. Prior improvising or jazz experience is not required.
CAMP Keyboard – Intro to Jazz and Popular Piano Styles
Faculty: Bradley Sowash
Date/Time: Monday, July 19 – Friday, July 23, 9:00 am – 12 noon
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 12
Class Fee: $100.00* / $110.00
Ages: 12 years and up through adult
This is a fun and creative approach to piano playing designed for intermediate to advanced traditionally trained pianists interested in learning to play “off the page.” Increase your knowledge of pop chord symbols, voicings, blues scales and contemporary rhythms. Learn to interpret a lead sheet by creating bass lines, applying stock accompaniment styles, inventing intros, endings and improvising.
July Jams
Date/Time: Sundays, July 11 & 18, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Cup o’ Joe Patio, Lennox Town Center
Ages: middle and high school students
The “jam session” is a place where jazz musicians get together to play and gain a better understanding of the language of jazz in a public setting. Try out new techniques, play tunes you are learning, and explore your improvisational chops with other musicians, supportive listeners and encouraging peers.
July Jams is an opportunity for aspiring musicians to gather together to play, learn, experiment and explore jazz and improvisation. Middle and high school musicians of all levels and abilities are welcome to participate in July Jams at the Cup o’ Joe Patio at Lennox Town Center from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, July 11 & 18. There is a $5.00 registration fee and advance registration is requested but not required.
A rhythm section (keyboard, bass and drum set) will be available for use and professional musicians will facilitate July Jams. Participants are encouraged to have at least one “jazz standard” prepared to play. A blues is recommended, but other tunes include: “Blue Bossa” (C minor), “Now’s the Time” (F major), “There is No Greater Love” (B flat major), “Watermelon Man” (F major), “What is This Thing Called Love?” (C major), or “Satin Doll” (C major).
Suggested age ranges are listed for each class. Please call to discuss registration for participants who fall outside of posted age ranges.
Offered classes have minimum registration requirements. If a class has not met its minimum registration by the deadline, it will be cancelled. However, if a class has met the minimum, registration will continue past the deadline until the class is full.
Always check to see if a class is available, even if the registration deadline has passed. For more information regarding registration policies, classes or scholarships, please contact Jazz Arts Group at 614-294-5200 x 107.
The Jazz Academy is located on the 4th floor of the historic Lincoln Theatre complex, 769 E. Long Street, in the King-Lincoln District of Columbus. Parking is available directly next to the theatre, across the street in the Gateway parking lot, or on the street. Parking is free. Enter through the double red doors with the Jazz Academy logo and either ride the elevator or climb the stairs to the 4th floor. Click for directions to the Jazz Academy.