education

Vail Jazz Education

Is jazz a dying art form? Not if Vail Jazz has any say! Committed to educating future generations of musicians and audiences, the Vail Jazz Workshop, Vail Jazz Goes to School, and Jammin’ Jazz Kids provide age-appropriate instruction for tykes to teens. Whether learning the fundamental of jazz or rising to the challenge of a demanding jazz immersion program, students learn to perform – and appreciate – the importance of this uniquely American musical genre.

Vail Jazz Workshop

Each year, a dozen of the country’s most dedicated, gifted, and promising high school jazz musicians are chosen from a broad field of talented applicants, receiving scholarships to participate in the 10-day Vail Jazz Workshop.

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Vail Jazz Goes to School

Vail Jazz Goes to School has brought jazz education to 4th and 5th graders across Eagle County for the past 24 years from top jazz musicians and educators, led by local legend Tony G.

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“To meet teachers that were friendly, open minded and dedicated to the jazz lineage, inviting me to look them up when I got older – that doesn’t just happen for young musicians.”

Lakecia Benjamin

class of 1999

“We picked the repertoire for our groups and we did the arrangements together. I liked that it was very much a group decision and a group effort.”

Katie Thiroux

class of 2005

“What made me want to come to Vail was when I first heard Lewis Nash. I totally fell in love with his drumming. A teacher of mine was friends with Nash, and I heard them discussing me: ‘How can we get him to Vail?’”

Evan Sherman

class of 2009

Featured Workshop Alumni

Vail Jazz Workshop graduates have garnered industry-wide recognition, contributing to over 100 Grammy-nominated projects, headlining major festivals worldwide, and winning awards from Grammys to Emmys and more.

Perpetuating Jazz with a Focus on Young Musicians

300+

workshop alumni

1000+

VJGTS students annually

26

years and counting

100+

alum Grammy nominations

6

workshop instructors

What Sets VJ Education Apart

Who we are.

We cherish the bonds of community between musicians, workshop alumni, staff and audiences. We take pride in bringing the rich, cultural heritage of jazz to the forefront of the community.

What we do.

The Workshop and Jazz Goes to School provide music curriculum that bridges the gap between art and history. Our instructors double as story tellers that teach the importance of landmark moments our nation has risen up from, and how we have overcome adversity through art as a powerful tool of expression.

Where we're headed.

The goal of VJGTS is to expand the program to include all students across the state, and to deliver a live performance finale to every 4th and 5th grader that completes the curriculum. Either in-person with Tony G or virtually.