Jazz Institute July 27 – August 1

Study and play with the top artists in jazz.

Jazz Institute July 27 – August 1

Study and play with the top artists in jazz.

The ultimate jazz immersion experience

At Jazz Institute, you’ll have a six-day intensive interaction with jazz legends, top professionals, gifted educators, and motivated students from around the globe. You get to choose your own classes from a curriculum that includes instrumental and vocal masterclasses, jazz theory, improvisation, musicianship, arranging, music business topics, and much more.

The core of your Jazz Institute experience is playing or singing in a small band under the direction of the incredible SJW faculty, many of whom are among the top performing and recording artists in the jazz world. You’ll be inspired as you work with legendary artists, and you’ll glean techniques and ideas that you’d learn nowhere else.

Jazz Institute is open by audition, giving the camp an elevated musical environment in which you’ll make accelerated progress. Whether you choose to stay on campus or commute, you’ll flourish as part of the SJW community of artists, educators, and musicians.

Your six days at Jazz Institute include:

Personalized learning

As an advanced musician, you get to choose your own classes, masterclasses, and activities, so you can develop the skills you want to work on.

World-class instruction

The faculty includes living legends whose recordings you love, up-and-coming artists who are changing the face of jazz, and established pros at the height of their careers. You won’t find a collection of jazz talent and experience like this anywhere else.

Time to play

The main element of Jazz Institute is your combo, where you apply the techniques and ideas you learn in your theory classes and master classes. Evening activities include your choice of jam sessions and attending the Stanford Jazz Festival.

A unique curriculum

Explore jazz theory, ear training, and improvisation at a variety of levels, and learn from top pros in special presentations in which they speak on topics that are critical to their music.

Exclusive activities

Enjoy free admission to nightly Stanford Jazz Festival concerts and after-hours jam sessions.

A global community of jazz contacts

Your band mates and instructors will become important contacts for you as you grow in your exploration of jazz and even in the development of your career.

The ultimate hang

Staying in the Stanford dorms on campus makes it easier to get the most out of your experience, giving you more time to access faculty artists and to attend Stanford Jazz Festival concerts and jam sessions.

A show to put it all together

Jazz Institute ends with a showcase for your new talent and skills, as you perform with your combo for your family and friends.

Jazz Institute provides the encouragement, instructional support, and environment you need to elevate your jazz performance.

Join us for an unforgettable week of music and community.

Jazz Institute provides the encouragement, instructional support, and environment you need to elevate your jazz performance.

Join us for an unforgettable week of music and community.

Program details

Who is Jazz Institute for? What are the dates and times?Where is Jazz Institute held?What is the cost of Jazz Camp?Is there an audition?What instruments are accepted?

Jazz Institute is open to vocalists and instrumentalists of all ages, from 14 up, by audition only.

Jazz Institute classes and programs occur during the following hours:

July 27 – August 1, 2025

Sunday from check in (11:00 a.m. for residents, 12 noon for commuters) – 6:00 p.m.
Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Showcase 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Click for a detailed schedule

All classes and performances are held at the Braun Music Center on the Stanford University campus, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305.

Click for detailed directions

Tuition for six days of instruction: $1,725

Housing for adults 18 and over, shared room only: $795

Housing and meals for minors: $1,100

Financial aid is available for participants ages 17 and under; you may apply for financial aid during the online registration process.

Click for details on financial aid

Click for details on program pricing

Yes, Jazz Institute is open by audition only. All participants must submit an audition recording. We listen to recordings submitted by each musician in order to place them in the combo that matches their skill level and is optimal for their development. Once you register, we’ll send you information about the audition via email, and through your SJW dashboard — please submit your audition recording as soon as possible, as we reserve placement in Jazz Institute only for those who have submitted their recordings.

You can play just about any instrument at SJW, including:
All brass instruments (trumpet, F horn, trombone, baritone, tuba)
All woodwinds (flute, clarinet, saxophone)
All strings (violin, viola, cello)
All rhythm section instruments (guitar, piano, keyboards, vibraphone, bass, drums)
And many others — just ask us!