JAZZ ACADEMY

Get ready for personalized growth with our three (3) hours of one-on-one instruction tailored just for you. Whether you're starting out and eager to learn the fundamentals or a experienced player looking to refine your technique, our dedicated instructors will focus on your unique needs, interests, and goals.

Dive into the rhythm of collaboration with our four (4) hours of exciting jam sessions. This interactive class invites musicians of all levels to explore and perform jazz in a vibrant, team-oriented environment. Here, you'll practice improvisation, enhance your ensemble skills, and deepen your understanding of jazz theory while connecting with fellow music enthusiasts.

Take your skills to the next level with eight (8) hours dedicated to the art of spontaneous musical creation! In these engaging sessions, students will learn essential techniques and concepts that foster confidence and creativity in their playing. Get ready to unleash your inner jazz artist.  

Immerse yourself in the rich history of jazz with two (2) hours focused on the study and performance of jazz standards. Explore the classic repertoire that forms the backbone of the jazz idiom, gaining a deeper understanding of essential tunes, styles, and the historical context that has shaped this beloved genre.  

Unleash your creativity in our two (2) hours of composition sessions. Here, you’ll learn the art of crafting original jazz music, exploring the creative process behind writing and arranging jazz compositions. Our expert instructors will guide you through key elements such as melody, harmony, and form, equipping you with the tools to create unique and innovative pieces.  

Experience a performance-focused learning session led by a seasoned jazz musician or educator, where you can observe and participate alongside fellow students and an engaged audience.

Showcase your talent during two (2) free public performances on the stunning banks of the Avon River aboard Stratford Summer Music's MusicBarge! These performances provide invaluable real-world experience, allowing you to shine in front of a live audience in a breathtaking outdoor setting.goes here

INSTRUCTOR

Drummer Jim Doxas was born in Montréal, Canada, into an artistically vibrant family and established himself early on in his career as a versatile percussionist. Heavily influenced by rock, jazz, Motown and world music, his credits on various recordings range from drummer, percussionist and composer. In addition, he is also an established recording engineer and a lecturer at McGill University. Doxas is a popular featured artist at jazz festivals worldwide and has worked with John Abercrombie, Joe Lovano, Hank Jones, Edward Simon, Dave Binney and Maria Schneider.

INSTRUCTOR

German-born, NYC-trained, and now Canada-based, Juno-nominated jazz pianist and composer Florian Hoefner blends diverse influences into his distinctive modern jazz style. Praised by The New York Times as a “composer-bandleader of insightful resolve” and by Downbeat Magazine as a “harmonically daring pianist,” Hoefner continues to make his mark with inventive, boundary-pushing contemporary jazz.

INSTRUCTOR

Kelly Jefferson, a Juno Award-winning saxophonist, composer, and educator, has been a prominent figure in Canadian jazz for over 25 years. He has performed with renowned artists like Christian McBride and Maria Schneider and toured globally, including a nine-month stint with Maynard Ferguson. A McGill and Manhattan School of Music graduate, his quartet’s album Next Exit earned a 2011 Juno nomination. Kelly teaches at the University of Toronto, York University, and IMC Jazz Camp while performing with groups like the Carn-Davidson 9 and Emilie-Claire Barlow.

INSTRUCTOR

Jodi Proznick, an award-winning Canadian jazz bassist, composer, and educator, was named Jazz Artist of the Year at the 2019 Western Canadian Music Awards and is a three-time Juno nominee. A performer with Canada’s top jazz musicians and global stars like Michael Bublé, she has appeared on over 50 recordings and at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Proznick leads the Jodi Proznick Quartet, co-leads The Ostara Project, and serves as Jazz Department Head at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music, where she directs the Summer Jazz Workshop and Sister Jazz Day.