2024-25 in Review

“Every year, we see how SJW changes lives: inspiring young musicians, nurturing artistry, and bringing people together. This is where tomorrow’s leaders are created, and lifelong friendships take root. Your dedicated support makes this community possible.” – Cory Combs, Executive Director

Fast facts about SJW 2024-25

  • Education programming took place throughout the year: We achieved near-capacity enrollment of 919 and honored nearly 90% of all requests for financial assistance.
  • 30 Festival and holiday performances achieved the highest attendance in years, with multiple sell outs, several standing ovations, and countless smiles.
  • 52 free events united and uplifted the local community—and attracted record attendance.
  • Our Miles Ahead Big Band was one of only 30 ensembles invited to the Essentially Ellington Festival & Competition in New York City.
  • We employed 136 professional musicians.
  • We ended 2024 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, 2024 through August 31, 2025. Direct feedback to Mark Hernandez at [email protected].

Cory Combs

Learning

919 Students

The high-level study of music, SJW style, 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.

Our Miles Ahead Big Band, under the direction of Mike Galisatus, was one of only 30 ensembles from throughout the world invited to participate in the Essentially Ellington Festival & Competition in New York.

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We honored nearly 90% of requests for Student Support, providing financial assistance with tuition, housing, instruments, and more.

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Our after-school students, as a condition of enrollment, also participated in their school music programs, inspiring others and elevating the quality of those programs.

In our history, we have granted $2M+ in Student Support.

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

Performances

30 Performances
11,006 Tickets Sold or Distributed

Our mainstage performances, held throughout the summer and during the holiday season, attracted throngs of people eager to think and feel. There were too many high points to recap. But we all remember the emotion and the togetherness.

12 sold out shows

Free attendance for SJW students

Complimentary tickets provided to community-based organizations

Our leading supporters also enjoyed intimate house concerts featuring Taylor Eigsti, John Santos, and Adam Shulman.

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

Connection

52 Free Events
6,000+ 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 2024-25, our 52nd 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 2025-26 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? View our 2024 audit here.

Archive

Download our 2023-24 Annual Report
Download our 2022-23 Annual Report