Overview

 
    Finding the right place for a teen to prepare for intensive college auditions can be a true challenge. Nowhere else can you find a safer place to learn and grow with other teens looking to develop skills strong enough to be competitive when conservatory audition time arrives. Whether a beginner or an advancing musician, NYJA® has a place for most aspiring jazz artists.
    At New York Jazz Academy®, we offer private lessons, small ensembles, the NYJA® College Prep Program, vocal jazz workshops, jazz theory classes, jazz foundations, summer jazz camps, online programs, performance opportunities, and much more. NYJA® students have won major international competitions and honors, including DownBeat Magazine awards, first-prize in the Montreux Jazz Fest piano competition, and scholarships to top universities (Berklee, MSM, Eastman, Stanford, Harvard, New England Conservatory). Our vocalists have appeared on X-Factor, The Voice, at the Grammys®, on Broadway, with Cirque du Soleil®, on cruise ships, with major orchestras, and more.

NYJA® College Prep Program

 
    The NYJA® College Prep Program offers a fully immersive opportunity for aspiring music majors to delve deeply into jazz style, improvisation, and theory. Classes meet for up to 4 hours weekly and include theory sections, ensemble studies and private lessons for instrumentalists; vocal techniques classes, theory sections, private lessons, and ensemble studies for vocalists. Students recently performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, on NBC Television, for NYC Mayor Bloomberg, and at major NYC jazz clubs. If you are looking to take your jazz up a notch, all while working with peers your age, this class is for you. Performances/concerts are typically integrated throughout the year.
  • Want to register? Need more info? Click on the “Click for Registration and Listings” Button at the bottom of this page.

Small Ensembles

 
    NYJA® Small Ensembles offer a chance for teens to learn jazz styles and improvisation in a serious rehearsal setting. Weekly sessions involve ensemble rehearsals and guest master-classes. Students recently performed at Carnegie Hall, on NBC Television, for NYC Mayor Bloomberg, and at major NYC jazz clubs. Performances/concerts are typically integrated throughout the year.
  • Want to register? Need more info? Click on the “Click for Registration and Listings” Button at the bottom of this page.

NYJA® Summer Jazz Intensives

 
    The NYJA® Summer Jazz Intensives are NYC’s most popular summer jazz programs for jazz musicians, including both teens and adults. These unique summer jazz music camps emphasize practical playing experience through a variety of classes, clinics, and performance activities for today’s jazz musician. The NYJA® Summer Jazz Intensives include a completely immersive jazz experience, tailored both to online learners and those wishing to gather for in-person experiences. Each week features new curricular material, giving musicians the flexibility to attend as many weeks as they choose. All participants will be placed in classes 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. If you would like to apply, we are currently accepting applications for both in-person and online sessions!

Electives

 
    NYJA® Electives offer studies in Jazz Foundations, Bebop Line Building, Ear-Training, Notation, Jazz Theory, and more. These classes are available online and in person via private lessons, group classes, and self-guided classes, and are essential for a well-rounded education in music.
  • Want to register? Need more info? Click on the “Click for Registration and Listings” Button at the bottom of this page.

Junior Jazz

 
    The NYJA® Junior Jazz Workshop is open to exceptionally talented students, ages 9-13. All rehearsals are coached by leading jazz educators and players. Musicians will work through improvisation and jazz styles while also developing musical fundamentals, including instrumental technique, note-reading skills, music theory, ensemble performance practice, the jazz songbook, and more. Students have performed at Carnegie Hall, on NBC television and at major NYC jazz clubs.

NYJA® Online Programs for Kids and Teens

    NYJA® Online runs a full slate of programs for kids and teens, including weekly classes, private lessons, ensembles, and the NYJA® Summer Jazz Intensives! If you are interested in joining other talented musicians while learning under top NYC professionals, now is your chance. Programs are available for advanced players, intermediate players, and also beginners.

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Long Island Programs for Teens

 
    NYJA® programs for young artists now run also in Syosset, NY, on Sunday afternoons and evenings. If you are interested in joining other talented musicians while learning under top NYC professionals, now is your chance. NYJA® students consistently achieve NYSSMA scores of 99-100; the results that NYJA® students see in their own musical progress are measurable and signifcant. Programs are available for advanced players, intermediate players, and also beginners. NYJA students have won major international competitions and honors, including DownBeat Magazine awards, first-prize in the Montreux Jazz Fest piano competition, scholarships to top universities (Berklee, MSM, Eastman, Stanford, Harvard, New England Conservatory), work with Broadway musicals, Cirque du Soleil, and cruise ships and major orchestras around the world.
  • Contact us to get started with your assessment and placement.

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Even More Details

 
    Are you looking for even more details regarding classes for teens? Eligible teens can apply to join any of our programs, many of which are “mixed age,” from Big Bands to Jazz Improv Workshops, Small Ensembles, Electives, and the NYJA® Summer Jazz Intensives, giving you options most weekdays and weekends at every NYJA® location.

Benefits

 
  • Perform with other like-minded musicians.
  • Learn from top NYC talent.
  • Participate in concerts year-round.
  • Enjoy small class sizes (typically 5-10 musicians).
  • Challenge yourself with repertoire tailored to your goals.
  • Forge lasting relationships with other players.
  • Challenge and grow as a musician.

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