Workshop

Vail Jazz Workshop
AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 | APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023 WORKSHOP ARE CLOSED
Each year, a dozen of North America’s most dedicated, gifted, and promising young jazz musicians are chosen from a broad field of talented applicants, receiving scholarships to participate in the 10-day Vail Jazz Workshop in Vail, Colorado.
In conjunction with the Vail Jazz Party, this highly-regarded summer program enters its 28th year, mentoring over 300 high school-aged musicians since its inception. The VJ Workshop, among the longest-running programs of its type, enables student musicians to be coached in an environment that emphasizes intense interaction with instructors and fellow students while providing them with the unique opportunity to perform alongside legendary professional musicians at the VJ Party over Labor Day Weekend.
The 12 annual slots at the VJ Workshop are among the most coveted music scholarships among pre-college jazz musicians today. Many Workshop Alumni have advanced to highly successful musical careers, garnering numerous awards, Grammy® nominations, albums, and tour dates with jazz greats, as well as fronting their own groups at notable jazz venues and festivals across the globe. In honor of the exceptional talent of our Workshop Alumni, the VJ Party features these now working professionals to perform in the Vail Jazz Alumni Sextet.
The 2023 Vail Jazz Workshop will take place in Vail, Colorado from August 26 – September 4. Applications are now closed.


Who can apply?
The Workshop is a residency program for twelve dedicated and gifted young jazz musicians who have demonstrated a commitment to their musical studies and a level of skill to warrant special attention. The standard of playing is extremely high, therefore, only students who can meet this expectation will likely gain admission to the workshop.
Age restrictions
- Must be at least 15 years of age and not more than 19 years of age (determined as of August 25, 2023)
- Must be a full-time student enrolled in a high school (grades 9 – 12) or home-schooled in compliance with appropriate local law during the school year completed just prior to the Workshop.
- Applicants who have just graduated from high school may apply but may not have attended a university, college, junior college, or another post-high school educational institution full-time, nor may an applicant have attended the Workshop.
Instrument Restrictions
The Workshop is only open to students whose primary instruments are the following: piano, bass, drums, trumpet, saxophone, and trombone. Currently, no other instruments are accepted into the Workshop.
important 2023 deadlines
Jan 4 - Mar 31, 2023
Applications Open
Mar 31, 2023
Applications Due
June 9, 2023
Selections Made
Aug 26 - Sept 4, 2023
VJ Workshop