SFJAZZ Education brings world-class jazz artists out of the concert hall and into the community, connecting youth and adults, students and professionals, musicians and non-musicians, and artists and audiences of all ages with a diverse array of interactive workshops. We also offer hands-on training in jazz performance for middle and high school students as well as professional training to music educators, supporting jazz instruction in public and independent schools throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Our outreach efforts include partnerships with diverse educational and artistic organizations, fostering the spirit of collaboration while broadening the reach of jazz education, performance and creation to underserved communities.
The core components of our community outreach include:
Meet the Masters
Since 1984, SFJAZZ has reached out to youth and adult audiences with in-school performances and workshops in alternative, intimate and informal settings. Twenty years later, Meet the Masters expanded with the founding of the SFJAZZ resident all-star ensemble, the SFJAZZ Collective, who lead an array of education and outreach programs during their annual San Francisco residency each spring. New for Season 1 in the SFJAZZ Center is the addition of our Resident Artistic Director (RAD) program, where acclaimed artists not only curate dynamic performances in our concert space, they also intersect with several of our educational programs. From Pre-Concert Talks and Master Classes to coaching our High School All-Stars, visiting performing artists also take part in a wide array of outreach events with our partner organizations.
Clinics for Middle and High School Students
Our roster of renowned professional musicians and educators enables SFJAZZ Education to offer a year- round calendar of outreach activities, including:
- Clinics in Bay Area High School jazz bands with saxophonist and HSAS Director Paul Contos and other leading professional musicians
- Free summer workshops in Oakland schools, open to all high school-aged participants*
- Coaching and Mentoring for student ensembles
- Open Rehearsals and much more!
*Space in our workshops is sometimes limited to 25 students, and includes lunch for all participants
Community Partnerships
SFJAZZ Education works closely with Bay Area peer organizations and schools in creating exciting programs for people of all ages. Our partners include the SF Unified School District, Museum of the African Diaspora, Youth Speaks, the Jazz Heritage Center, Yerba Buena Arts & Events, Out Of Site, Old Skool Cafe, The Jazzschool, the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco and others.
Jazz In Session
This free program supports jazz performance and learning opportunities for public middle school ensembles by providing needed supplies and repertoire as well as clinics by jazz masters. A primary goal of the program is to offer professional development opportunities to band directors as well as school administrators.
