Jazz Aspen Snowmass Local Education Initiatives
JAS LEI (Local Education Initiatives) develops programming that complements existing public school music programs and replaces programs where schools suffer losses due to budget cuts. These programs are invaluable to students and teachers in the Roaring Fork Valley and 1-70 corridor. Learn more about JAS education programming and history here.
Since 1996 JAS has donated over $8.5 million to these and other education initiatives! Find out what is happening with JAS LEI in our 2024 Winter Newsletter or scroll down to learn more about the individual programs JAS supports.
The Beat Lab Will Be Back in 2025! – The Beat Lab was designed to introduce students to the concepts and creation of electronic music and tracks while simultaneously having them create the music that is being used for these tracks through the Berklee Pulse program. It is an applied education involving them on the instrument they play, learning how to arrange their music with the instruments from other members in the group.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass is thrilled to be a member of the Berklee City Music Network, a nonprofit education program that harnesses the energy of contemporary music to reach under-served 4th-12th graders across the country. Through this partnership JAS has introduced Berklee PULSE, a state-of-the-art online method of teaching, to local Middle and High Schools. Berklee City Music and JAS also offer two full scholarships for deserving students to attend the prestigious Berklee 5-Week Summer program each August. For more information on Berklee City Music Network please visit: www.berkleecitymusicnetwork.org
Students from the Western Slope of CO are nominated by their instructors to attend a weekend of workshops, sectionals and public concerts with a faculty from accredited music programs at CU, DU and Mesa State College.
2024 Honor Jazz, February 2-3; ending with a FREE public performance at Carbondale Middle School 5-7pm. Visit us here for more info.
The Faculty Assistance Program provides funding to bring local musicians into classrooms to offer student assistance in an instrument that is not their teacher’s discipline or in classes that are so large instructors aren’t able to offer the individual assistance that may be needed. A portion of the Faculty Assistance budget was graciously granted by the Aspen Thrift Shop.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass is looking for advanced student musicians to participate in the new JAS Street Horns program! Led by Basalt Band Director Chance Davis, alongside JAS In-Schools Director Chris Bank, additional JAS In-Schools Faculty, and visiting professional jazz musicians, the Street Horns will be comprised of students referred to JAS by their school Band Directors. Learn more HERE.
JAS has partnered with the JFMAF Scholarship Fund to increase awareness and reach of their scholarships, and to co-present new programming creating more opportunities for students to expand their drive and expertise in the medium of sound. The fund’s goal is to award scholarships to high school graduates who show exceptional promise in the medium of sound and are committed to continuing their education.
Pays to Play is a private lesson fund allowing Roaring Fork Valley youth to take private music lessons in any discipline from a local instructor recommended by JAS. JAS pays for 3 hours of lessons to increase opportunities for music education, while supporting the economy of local musicians.
If you would like to have your student participate in the Pays to Play program, please take a look at the Directory below and choose a teacher that fits you and your child’s needs. Reach out to the teacher directly and they will get you started. If you have questions, please reach out to the JAS Office: 970-920-4996.
A two-day weekend event open to all female instrumentalists/vocalists of any ability level ages 10-18. Intentions are to provide young female jazz musicians high quality educational experiences in an environment that gives them a sense of belonging and community, a safe place to explore their artistic selves, and extra support and enlarged context for the role of women in jazz. The workshop concludes with a public performance featuring all of the students.
Presented by Jazz Aspen Snowmass in association with the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts in the Fall of 2020. Dates of 2020 program are currently TBD.
If you love creating and writing music, this competition is for you! Open to students grades 5-12, the JAS Share Your Voice Competition will allow you to share your creations with our judges and the chance to be the grand winner! One high school winner will receive a cash prize of $500 plus the opportunity to perform your song live at a JAS Cafe event. One Middle School winner will receive a cash prize of $500 and up to four honorable mention winners will receive a cash prize of $100. APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 WILL OPEN THIS WINTER!
The goal of this program is to help local students and families financially to acquire intermediate to professional quality instruments so they will be better equipped to succeed in their musical goals. Families apply for available funds and are eligible to receive assistance of up to 50% of the cost of a new instrument. If you are interested in applying for the Step Up program, please review the Step Up Program Agreement, fill out the Step Up Application Form and send it to Chris Bank at cbank1274@gmail.com
The objective of the JAS Instructor Assistance Program is to provide public music teachers with administrative assistance from an upper-level student, thereby allowing them more time to focus on teaching/lesson plans/etc. vs. the administrative tasks that are often so overwhelming. JAS encourages teachers to choose students who could use the benefit of a paid position, as well as the benefit of the experience they can carry into college and beyond.
Stuff for Students supports local schools through instrument and equipment grants and funds to repair broken instruments throughout the school year. See how you can help.
JAS’ Summer Camp consists of one-week sessions targeted toward applied techniques for intermediate, and advanced players. This year’s Summer Camp will run June 17th-21st, Monday – Friday 10am – 1pm – in person at Carbondale Middle School and will focus on “Street Horns.” NEW THIS YEAR: The JAS Camp will overlap with the 2024 JAS Academy. Camp participants will have the opportunity to share a class with advanced Jazz students and prodigious teachers! Learn more about the concept by downloading our brochure here. The 2024 tuition is $200 and can be paid HERE or call the Office at 970.920.4496. Registration & scholarship forms are available here.
This program provides complimentary performance tickets for the JAS June and Labor Day Experiences and the JAS Café to teachers and students throughout the Roaring Fork Valley school districts.