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

Open by audition to female high school instrumentalists, and those high school instrumentalists identifying as female.

  • Concurrent enrollment in school music program required
  • Audition required, auditions will be scheduled during late August
  • Rehearsals begin Wednesday, September 7, at Berkeley High School
Instrumentation: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, drums, vibes

10 Wednesday evenings from 7:00 – 9:30 pm at Berkeley High School

Tuition: $795

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

To sign up for an audition, register using your existing SJW account or create one if you’re new to SJW. We’ll send you a link to schedule a time for yourself that’s convenient for you.

Program Focus

  • Weekly big band rehearsals
  • Weekly masterclasses with SJW faculty
  • Jazz performance and repertoire
  • Performance opportunities
  • Showcase performance in Dinkelspiel Auditorium at Stanford University
Audition information available soon
Register now!

Free Spirits Big Band

Named after an influential recording by pianist Mary Lou Williams and directed by award-winning jazz educator Sarah Cline, this program is designed to address the long-recognized and well-documented problem of inequity for female instrumentalists in jazz. To address this issue, the Miles Ahead Big Band Berkeley is open to female high school instrumentalists, and to high school instrumentalists identifying as female. A lack of supportive instruction is often cited in studies as one of the reasons so few young women stay involved in their jazz programs, and for this reason, this program includes weekly coaching sessions and masterclasses for each instrument, in addition to full-band rehearsals. This band will have performances each semester in joint concerts with other jazz bands in the community.

Free Spirits Big Band, directed by Sarah Cline
meets Wednesday evenings, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Berkeley High School

Audition information and other details coming soon. There is no cost to register for the program, so please sign up, and you’ll be informed right away when more information is available.

Important information and policies

Miles Ahead Big Band