NYC Summer Jazz Intensives

New York City's Most Popular Summer Music Camp for Adults and Teens

Now sponsored in part by Yamaha Musical Instruments, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, RS Berkeley Musical Instruments, and more!

Finding us after May 1? NYJA is still accepting applications for select instruments.
Submit your online application today!

What are the NYJA NYC Summer Jazz Intensives?

New York Jazz Academy Summer Jazz Intensives are NYC's most popular summer jazz programs for jazz musicians, including both teens and adults. These unique summer music camps emphasize practical playing experience through a variety of classes, clinics, and performance activities for today's jazz musician. For the first time, this summer's intensives will include a completely immersive jazz experience that incorporates visits to major New York City jazz venues, including clubs, historical sites, and visits with influential players on the NYC jazz scene.

Each week features new curricular material, giving musicians the flexibility to attend as many weeks as they choose. All participants will be placed in performance ensembles that stress a combination of reading music, improvising and collaborative music- making. Participants will leave the program with a significantly greater understanding of harmony, melody, and jazz styles.

When and where are the Intensives?

The 2013 NYJA Summer Jazz Intensives will be held from July 8-August 9 (M-F, 10:00am-4:00pm) on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 263 West 86th St. (at West End Ave.), New York, NY, 10024. Participants may choose to attend one or more weeks:

Week 1: July 8-12
Week 2: July 15-19
Week 3: July 22-26
Week 4: July 29-August 2
Week 5: August 5-9

NYJA Summer Jazz Intensives Faculty

Dave Allen | Dave Ambrosio | Javier Arau | Kelly Ash | Adam Birnbaum | Dan Blankinship |

Tom Dempsey | Dan Kaufman | Alex Nguyen | Tammy Scheffer | Michael Webster | Pete Zimmer |

Led by NYJA program director and saxophonist Javier Arau, New York Jazz Academy's talented and experienced faculty will provide the instruction for the programs and will appear in concert and clinic formats throughout each week. Select days of ensemble rehearsals will include professional rhythm section players. NYJA Summer Jazz Intensives faculty features many of the finest jazz musicians and educators in New York City, including Dave Allen, Tom Dempsey, Dave Ambrosio, Pete Zimmer, Adam Birnbaum, Dan Kaufman, Michael Webster, Alex Nguyen, Dan Blankinship, Tammy Scheffer, and Kelly Ash, among others.

Is the summer program for me?

There is no place more inspiring to study jazz than in New York City. The NYJA Summer Jazz Intensives are open to intermediate and advanced adults and teens. All participants must be at least 14 years of age by July 8, 2013. We always see a healthy mix of adults (older and younger) and teens every summer. Participants are placed in leveled classes and ensembles (beginners play with beginners, advanced players play with advanced players, etc.) after being assessed on the first day of each week. Advanced students will be inspired by a rigorous curriculum that addresses concepts used in bebop and post-bop jazz. Beginning improvisers will benefit greatly from the introduction and application of fundamental jazz concepts. Masterclasses include topics regarding duo playing, free jazz, arranging, composition, mixed meter concepts, music business, NYC career advancement, and more.

What's the schedule?

Classes, lessons, clinics, ensembles and master- classes comprise the week's events. Most mornings involve warmup techniques, improvisation seminars, and jazz styles classes. Afternoons are comprised of ensemble rehearsals, performance workshops, and guest artist masterclasses.

Can you walk me through a typical day?

10:00am Jazz Theory Classes
11:00am Sectional Workshops (Rhythm Section/Melodic/etc.)
12:00pm Lessons
12:30pm LUNCH + Jam Session
1:00pm Ensemble Rehearsal
3:00pm Guest Artist Masterclass
4:00pm Regular Dismissal
7:00pm Optional evening jam/hang

How much is tuition?

$1,095/any 1 week
$2,090/any 2 weeks (save $100)
$3,085/any 3 weeks (save $200)
$3,980/any 4 weeks (save $400)
$4,875/all 5 weeks (save $600)

Do you offer financial aid?

Want a break on your tuition? Become a NYJA member today and receive a discount of 20% off your tuition. Contact NYJA to see how you can reduce your tuition to as low as $780 for a week!

What about housing?

Dormitory Housing (optional. February 1 application deadline):
$1,050 per week (7 nights) Click here for nearby NYC hotel options.

When and how do I apply?

Fill out the application below. Notification of acceptance status will be sent via email.

Video: NYJA Young Artists "In Their Own Words"

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Letter from a Summer Jazz Intensives student

Click on the image below to read a letter from a NYJA Summer Jazz Intensives student (or read the text below):

Dear Javier and NYJA,

Overall, why I like your program:

* You are so POSITIVE and relaxed!
* All of the instructors are so generous and highly skilled.
* You really scaffolded the week extremely well -- I would say that is a defining difference between your workshop and the Aebersold workshop. I loved that experience too, but it was more like a random idea here and there and students were totally on their own to implement ideas; the connecting threads were not scaffolded at all, especially in terms of the flow of the day and week. I think the way you teach, ESPECIALLY the theory, is extremely well done and it certainly helped me fill in a lot of missing pieces.

* Giving us that book is so wonderful -- that is a tremendous resource and I think, again, you've done a really great job with the scaffolding of that content.
* Offering the spiritual side of music was a priceless gift to the young people in particular and the way you do it so authentically and as just part of the conversation is very refreshing and really so needed.
* You are very skilled at individualized instruction.

All of this is going to help me as a player and as the volunteer music teacher at my school, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for a wonderful and enriching week.

--Monique, July 2010

Summer Intensives Application

Applicants need only complete and submit our online workshop application form below.
If you would like to be considered for a merit scholarship, be sure to include a web link to your performing. If you do not have any performances available on the web, you may mail a CD or DVD recording of your performance to the following address: Javier Arau - NYJA, 35-25 77th St. Suite A68, Jackson Heights, NY 11372.

Photos

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Summer Jazz Intensives Payment and Refund Policy

You are not officially registered until we receive payment in full.
Cancellations 60 days or more before the first day of camp = full refund less $50 non-refundable deposit.
CANCELLATION LESS THAN 60 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF THE INTENSIVES (first day is July 8, 2013) = NO REFUND.

Sign up for the Fall/Spring Semester with NYJA

If you are interested in signing up for Fall/Spring lessons and rehearsals, or if you have any questions, please contact us.
Feel free to browse this website for more information about our programs, including curriculum, rates, locations, instructors, and more.

For More Information

For more information on the NYJA Summer Jazz Intensives or the New York Jazz Academy school year programs,
please contact us by phone at (718) 426-0633, by email at nyja@nyjazzacademy.com, or complete this online inquiry form.

See you this Summer!