VJGTS
Vail Jazz Goes to School
Vail Jazz Goes to School (VJGTS) has brought jazz education to 4th and 5th-graders across Eagle County for the past 28 years. Taught by top jazz musicians and educators in the Vail Valley, the program brings the rich history, fundamentals, and legendary figures of jazz to life.
Vail Jazz Goes to School is a program of the Vail Jazz Foundation and is sponsored in part by Alpine Bank, Discover Vail, Eagle County RE-50J School District/ PTOs, St. Clare of Assisi, Vail Christian Academy, Stone Creek School PTOs, Vail Resorts Epic Promise, and numerous individuals and family foundations.
The Tony G Rising Star Award
The Vail Jazz Foundation is pleased to continue the Tony G Rising Star Award in honor of late Vail Jazz Goes to School co-founder Tony Gulizia. This merit-based award will provide the opportunity for talented Eagle County children to grow their musical interest with financial support towards purchase of an instrument, music lessons, classes, band camps or private instruction.
The award has been made possible through the generous support of long-time Vail Jazz supporter Kathy Cole – a close friend of Tony’s — through the Kathy and Trent Cole Scholarship Fund and with ongoing support from Alpine Bank.
“Most kids would never be exposed to jazz, much less understand its development and relevance to American history, without this program.”
Dawn Vallejos
Former Eagle Valley Educator
“Vail Jazz Goes to School is cool because rarely in a community like Vail do kids get exposed to that kind of thing at that age.”
Alec Mauro
VJGTS Alumni
Perpetuating jazz with a focus on young musicians and audiences
12,000+
students impacted
28 years
and running
12
participating schools
