2025-26 in Review

“Year after year, I am struck by what happens when talented young musicians are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in music and surrounded by a community that believes in them. That is the heart of SJW, and what makes this work so meaningful.” – Cory Combs, Executive Director

Fast facts about SJW 2025-26

  • Education programming took place throughout the year: We achieved near-capacity enrollment of 994 and, for the first time, honored all qualifying requests for financial assistance.
  • 30 performances drew attendance of nearly 11,000, and half sold out.
  • 51 free events achieved attendance of more than 7,000, fostering community.
  • Connie & Bob Lurie created a $125,000 matching incentive to provide financial assistance to young people.
  • We employed 202 professional musicians, a record for us.
  • We ended 2025 with a balanced budget.

Stanford Jazz Workshop is an independent, grassroots 501c3 nonprofit, tax ID 94-3074721, that is not legally affiliated with Stanford University. This report reflects activities from September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. Direct feedback to Mark Hernandez at [email protected].

Young Musicians

Enrollment: 994

SJW’s specialized programming helps young people develop the deep skills needed to build brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Our summer camps are breakthrough experiences. In discovering new abilities and confidence, young people from throughout the world make major strides in their musical (and personal) journeys.

Our after-school big bands attract the Bay Area’s finest young talent. Concentrated year-long study fast tracks their growth.

JazzGirls Day—created by and for women and girls—promotes gender parity in jazz. This daylong celebration highlights year-round work.

For the first time, we honored all qualifying requests for Student Support, providing financial assistance with tuition, housing, instruments, and more.

After-school students came from 62 schools in eight Bay Area counties.

As a condition of enrollment, after-school students must also participate in school music ensembles, elevating the quality of those programs.

Summer camp students came from 29 states and 11 nations.

We revamped our summer curriculum, exclusively focusing on young learners ages 10 to 18.

We introduced several program refinements, including new staff dedicated to the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of our students.

In our history, we have granted $2.5M+ in Student Support.

Connie & Bob Lurie initiated a $125,000 matching incentive to provide financial assistance to young musicians. Through the end of 2025-26, we are 31% to goal, with another year to go.

We are pleased to honor those who provided lead funding for Student Support.

Performances

30 Performances
10,836 Tickets

Our mainstage performances, held throughout the summer and during the holiday season, attracted throngs of people. Evening after evening, SJW offered audiences the opportunity to think, feel, and know connection.

Half of all shows sold out, including virtually all shows at Campbell Recital Hall. Of all available tickets, 83% were sold.

We produced a performance at the CZI Space in Redwood City, at their invitation.

SJW students attended performances for free. In addition, SJW distributed complimentary tickets to community-based organizations.

Our leading supporters also enjoyed intimate house concerts featuring Taylor Eigsti and Edward Simon, as well as two virtual insider events.

We are pleased to honor those who provided lead funding for performances and artists.

Connection

51 Free Events
7,000+ Attendance

We flooded public spaces with free live music featuring our artists and students. Open to one and all, performances included jam sessions at the Stanford Coffee House, noontime concerts on White Plaza, and student showcases at Dinkelspiel Auditorium.

Record attendance!

People

In 2025-26, our 54th year, we created a beautiful community, a musical haven, a hope for the future. To our students and their families, artists, audiences, and supporters, we offer our most heartfelt appreciation.

Join us in 2026-27 and beyond. Together, we will make the world a better place one student at a time, one performance at a time, one day at a time.

Interested in the numbers? Our 2025 audit will be available here soon.

Archive

2024-25 Annual Report