Innovative Jazz Music Classes in Phoenix
At The John Dawson Education Center, just steps away from our venue in downtown Phoenix, The Nash offers dynamic music courses for children, teens and adults.
In our education programs, students develop their vocal, guitar, bass, piano, trumpet, trombone, saxophone or percussion skills with coaching from professional jazz musicians.
Student Jazz Ensembles
At its heart, jazz is improvisation. Our group music classes provide a variety of unique collaborative opportunities for students to learn the musical language of improvisation from professional musicians. Students who play in our jazz ensembles develop the skills and confidence needed to be creative in the moment.
Learn more about our ensembles and enroll online.
Jazz DivAZ
This innovative program is designed to teach young female musicians the basic skills of jazz improvisation in a nurturing environment. Students will learn well-known jazz tunes and develop the confidence to express their individuality through improvised solos.
Legacy Ensembles
In this unparalleled Nash program, talented high school jazz students are immersed in the essential combo environment. With instruction from college-level educators, students develop their abilities to improvise, compose, arrange, and perform.
Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Singers of all ages and walks of life rehearse weekly to create rousing vocal renditions of jazz classics and contemporary songs. In this professionally coached ensemble that culminates with live public performances, artists work in an environment of creativity and camaraderie.
Futures Ensemble
In this introductory program, students ages 10–17 discover their passion for music while learning the essential elements and skills of jazz. Taught by top college-level educators, Futures is the perfect program to get acquainted with the language of jazz.
Big Band
"The Nash Big Band: Where Phoenix Valley's High School Jazz Shines"
The Nash Big Band is the epitome of high school jazz excellence in the Phoenix Valley. Auditions are open to all talented high school students, offering a gateway to an extraordinary musical journey. Join this vibrant ensemble and experience the magic of The Nash Big Band, where passion and talent converge to create captivating jazz performances.
Adult Jazz Music Course
Taught by The Director of Education, Clark Gibson, The Nash is excited to add this new course in the Fall of 2024 geared towards people 18 and up who are out of high school. This course, which will meet on Tuesdays between 5:00-7:00 pm, will be a jazz repertoire class that focuses on different tunes within the jazz genre. The class begins Tuesday, September 24th.
If you're out of school and looking to further develop your skills as a jazz musician sign up at the link below.
Tuition is $200 for the semester. If you are in need of a scholarship please contact Dr. Clark Gibson via email.
The Nash Adult Jazz Sessions
The Nash Adult Jazz Sessions is a class that meets once a week on Tuesdays from 5-7pm at The John Dawson Center for Education at The Nash. We explore the intricacies of jazz music repertoire through studying jazz standards and the American Song Book. We have students of ages ranging from college age students to retirees.
Music Workshops, Masterclasses & Clinics
There is no better place to become acquainted with jazz and to develop your musical passions than The Nash. What sets our educational offerings apart from all others is the seamless connection between students and professional musicians. The exposure that we provide students to live performances and interactions with top local and world-renowned educators and musicians is priceless.
Summer Music Workshops
An array of immersive music workshops concentrates on many specific areas of jazz, providing enrichment to students and players of all levels. Our jazz workshops are taught by leading professionals in each area of study.
Masterclasses & Clinics
The Nash masterclasses and clinics provide jazz students of all ages access to educational and inspirational encounters with some of the most revered and influential professionals of the art form.
