My daughter said all the teachers are amazing, super supportive of students learning jazz for the first time.
~ Jazz Camp parent

High School Instrumentalists

Concurrent enrollment in school music program required
Audition required
Rehearsals begin the first week of September
Two locations: Wednesdays at Aragon High School in San Mateo and Thursdays at Central Middle School in San Carlos

Instrumentation: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, drums, vibes

Ten Wednesday evenings from 7:00 – 9:30 pm at Aragon High School, San Mateo

or ten Thursday evenings from 7:00 – 9:30 pm at Central Middle School, San Carlos

Rehearsals begin the first week of September.

Performances to be announced. Rehearsal dates subject to change pending rehearsal location availability.

Participation requires commitment to attend all ten rehearsals and all scheduled performances.

Tuition: $695

(Limited need-based financial aid is available. Please contact [email protected] for more information.)

Program Focus

Weekly big band rehearsals
Jazz performance, improvisation, and repertoire
Performance opportunities
Showcase performance in Dinkelspiel Auditorium at Stanford University

Click for audition information

Auditions will be held in-person in August. You can find out more about the auditions by downloading this PDF.

Miles Ahead Big Band

Directed by award-winning jazz educators Mike Galisatus and Kristen Strom, the Miles Ahead Big Bands features many of the top high school jazz musicians in the Bay Area. The Miles Ahead Big Band received national attention by placing in the top three bands in the High School Conglomerate Big Band Division at the prestigious Next Generation Jazz Festival. The band has also won Outstanding Performance awards in DownBeat Magazine two years consecutively. They’ve also performed at the Stanford Jazz Festival!

Miles Ahead Big Band, directed by Mike Galisatus
meets Wednesday evenings, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Aragon High School, San Mateo, CA

Miles Ahead Big Band, directed by Kristen Strom
meets Thursday evenings, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Central Middle School, San Carlos, CA