A Week of Jazz at the Highest Level
If you’re an experienced jazz musician seeking a deeper challenge, the Jazz Institute offers an intensive week of study, collaboration, and performance. Celebrated artists, touring musicians, and top educators serve as mentors, guiding you through masterclasses, small ensembles, theory, improvisation, arranging, musicianship, and more. By day you’ll refine your skills in small groups; by night you’ll be inspired by Stanford Jazz Festival performances and jam sessions.
A Week of Jazz at the Highest Level
If you’re an experienced jazz musician seeking a deeper challenge, the Jazz Institute offers an intensive week of study, collaboration, and performance. Celebrated artists, touring musicians, and top educators serve as mentors, guiding you through masterclasses, small ensembles, theory, improvisation, arranging, musicianship, and more. By day you’ll refine your skills in small groups; by night you’ll be inspired by Stanford Jazz Festival performances and jam sessions.
Small Ensembles Focus
At the core of Jazz Institute is playing or singing in a small ensemble led by SJW’s world-class faculty. This immersive experience sharpens your technique, broadens your perspective, and helps you develop your own distinctive voice as a musician.
Small Ensembles Focus
At the core of Jazz Institute is playing or singing in a small ensemble led by SJW’s world-class faculty. This immersive experience sharpens your technique, broadens your perspective, and helps you develop your own distinctive voice as a musician.
An Inspiring, Audition-Only Community
Admission is by audition, ensuring a high-level musical environment where you’ll be challenged and supported to grow. Whether you live on campus or commute, you’ll thrive as part of the Institute community — surrounded by exceptional artists, dedicated educators, and peers who share your passion for jazz.
An Inspiring, Audition-Only Community
Admission is by audition, ensuring a high-level musical environment where you’ll be challenged and supported to grow. Whether you live on campus or commute, you’ll thrive as part of the Institute community — surrounded by exceptional artists, dedicated educators, and peers who share your passion for jazz.
Your six days at Jazz Institute include:
Customized Learning
Choose from a wide range of classes and activities to focus on the skills and techniques most important to you.
Learn from Jazz Masters
Study with legendary artists, renowned educators, and today’s leading innovators for an unparalleled educational experience.
Ensemble at the Core
Daily small-ensemble rehearsals let you apply concepts from improvisation, theory, and musicianship classes, helping you grow both as a soloist and as a collaborator.
Specialized Workshops
Go beyond the fundamentals in workshops that explore arranging, composition, improvisation, and more. Learn directly from leading artists in presentations designed to expand your knowledge and spark new ideas.
Unforgettable Performances
Enjoy complimentary admission to nightly Stanford Jazz Festival concerts and join faculty and peers in after-hours jam sessions.
A Global Community
Build meaningful connections with passionate musicians from around the world and create collaborations that last well beyond camp.
On-Campus Residential Option
Living in Stanford’s housing deepens your immersion, with more chances to connect with faculty artists and take part in festival performances and jam sessions.
Final Showcase Performance
Perform with your ensemble in a culminating concert that celebrates your growth and artistry.
Guidance, Mentorship, and Growth
At Jazz Institute, you’ll find expert guidance, a welcoming community, and an immersive setting that pushes your artistry forward. Join us for a transformative week of music, mentorship, and collaboration alongside world-class faculty and passionate fellow musicians.
Guidance, Mentorship, and Growth
At Jazz Institute, you’ll find expert guidance, a welcoming community, and an immersive setting that pushes your artistry forward. Join us for a transformative week of music, mentorship, and collaboration alongside world-class faculty and passionate fellow musicians.
Program details
Who Can Attend Jazz InstituteJazz Institute Dates and TimesJazz Institute LocationJazz Institute TuitionJazz Institute AuditionJazz Institute Accepted Instruments
Jazz Institute is open by audition to instrumentalists and vocalists ages 14–18.
Jazz Institute classes and programs occur during the following hours:
July 26 – July 31, 2026
- Sunday from check in (12:00 p.m. for residents, 1:00 p.m. 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 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
All classes and performances are held at the Braun Music Center on the Stanford University campus, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, CA 94305.
Tuition for six days of instruction: $1,850
Housing and meals: $1,250
Financial aid is available; you may apply for financial aid during the online registration process. Click for details on program pricing.
Jazz Institute is open by audition only. Once you register, we’ll send you information about the audition via email, and through your SJW dashboard. Audition recordings are due two weeks after registering for the program.
Most instruments welcome at Jazz Institute, 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)
- Vocalists are welcome
Jazz Institute Faculty
Download the 2026 Camp Brochure
