Why Join NYJA?

High Quality Instruction

Thank you for considering signing up with the New York Jazz Academy. We offer the highest quality music instruction to children and adults throughout NYC and beyond.

Ensemble Opportunities

The secret to the success of the New York Jazz Academy is the combination of the finest teachers with strong ensemble programs, all priced affordably. Without ensemble opportunity, students are at risk of floundering, as performing jazz with others is a critical part of the learning process.

Innovative Curriculum

Our ensemble workshops are entirely different than other jazz band programs, thanks to an innovative curriculum that emphasizes improvisation and jazz styles. The programs are also inclusive for non-jazz instruments and are graded to to accommodate beginning, intermediate, and advanced players.

Great Teachers

We are a pretty humble bunch here at the New York Jazz Academy, but we really must take a minute to boast about our incredible faculty line up. Let's say you are a kid who wants to study guitar. Through lessons with NYJA, you have the opportunity to study with the same guy who teaches guitar to the Naked Brothers (Russ Spiegel), the guy who literally wrote the book on jazz guitar (Tom Dempsey, director of the National Guitar Institute), or guitarist Brad Shepik, widely considered to be one of the guitar gods of our time, among several other talented teachers. These teachers were not only selected because they are acclaimed, they were selected because they demonstrate remarkable teaching techniques and are all genuinely good people. The faculty roster stands out on every instrument. If you are saxophonist, how about studying with Wayne Escoffery or Loren Stillman, two of of the world's greatest virtuosos? If you are drummer, you can't go wrong by taking a lesson from John Coltrane's original drummer, Pete (La Roca) Sims, or Herbie Hancock's drummer, Richie Barshay. Want to learn how to sing jazz vocals? Try Carolyn Leonhart, singer with Steely Dan and a faculty member of Berklee College of Music. If you are a oboist, you can't go wrong with Charles Pillow, long revered as a jazz great on that instrument. We could go on and on! The bottom line is that our faculty holds up against any school and college internationally. You won't find a roster like this from other private music centers.

Only the Best

Most other music schools and programs require teachers to meet a minimum threshold of expertise. This typically includes the following: a Bachelor's degree in music and a demonstrated, basic ability to teach students age 5 and older. The bar to become a teacher with NYJA is so high that, even in New York City, only 15% of teaching applicants qualify for an interview. Once prospective teachers have demonstrated world-class artistry, far beyond that of a young teacher armed with a bachelor's degree and little else, they must demonstrate, over a series of interviews and evaluations, an ability to articulate and effectively teach at a level that ensures the most excellent educational experience for our students.

Peformance Opportunities

Since forming the New York Jazz Academy, we have received phone calls from organizations throughout NYC looking to book youth bands for events. We are also negotiating with major jazz clubs in the city to collaborate for future performances.

Sense of Community

New York Jazz Academy is looking to forge partnerships with private teachers and community leaders. Our ensemble programs help every private teacher in the community, whether affiliated with NYJA or not, and students can sign up for ensembles while still studying privately with non-NYJA teachers. By signing up for classes and ensemble programs and workshops, students can celebrate in belonging to a larger community of jazz fans and musicians.

Responsible Pricing

It is safe to say that most music schools are less than generous when it comes to teacher rate splits. New York Jazz Academy offers the most generous rate splits in the country, keeping our teachers motivated and loyal. You know that, by joining New York Jazz Academy, you are contributing to a positive and healthy relationship between administration, teacher, and student. Our pricing is extremely competitive, and with low administrative costs, we are able to pass our savings on to you. This certainly is a win-win for all involved.

Getting Started

Below are a few links to help get you started. Have fun, and welcome to the New York Jazz Academy!

Director's Message
Programs and course offerings
Adult programs
Faculty
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