Program Focus
- Study, teach, and perform for three weeks with the Stanford Jazz Workshop’s world renowned faculty
- Work closely with faculty advisors and visiting artists. Previous visiting artists have included violinist Regina Carter, pianist Geoff Keezer, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Yosvany Terry, Donny McCaslin, Anat Cohen and drummers Matt Wilson, Roy McCurdy and Allison Miller
- Mentor young jazz camp students and be mentored by top Stanford Jazz educators
- Includes food stipend, travel stipend (if traveling more than 300 miles) and housing provided on the Stanford University campus – $500 teaching stipend per week for the first summer, $750 per week for the second summer
We are looking for applicants who meet the following criteria
- Between the ages of 21-28
- Strong desire to teach and educate youth
- Ability to play straight-ahead jazz at a professional level
- Ability to collaborate and work within a team
- Strong leadership skills
- Experience working with youth
- Available during Stanford Jazz Workshop’s Jazz Camp from July 14-August 2, 2024, as well as the subsequent year, July 13-August 1, 2025.
Jazz Mentor Fellowship Program
Congratulations to the new 2024/2025 Mentor Fellow class! Alexandra Ridout (trumpet), Jordan Anderson (piano), David Lechuga (guitar), Rafael Enciso (bass), Allie Biancoviso (trombone), Patrick Hill (saxophone) and Gary Kerkezou (drums)!
About the program:
The Jazz Mentor Fellows concept was developed to provide emerging professional jazz musicians with an interest in gaining teaching experience, formalized mentorship and on-the-job training using the multi-generational, community-oriented approach that is the Workshop’s hallmark. Up to seven applicants will be chosen to become Mentor-Fellows, and will work with students aged 12-17 during Stanford Jazz Workshop’s Jazz Camp from July 14-August 2, 2024, as well as the subsequent year, July 13-August 1, 2025.
During each week, Mentor-Fellows interact and learn from experienced Stanford Jazz faculty in addition to visiting artists. Previous visiting artists have included violinist Regina Carter, pianist Geoff Keezer, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Yosvany Terry, Donny McCaslin, Anat Cohen and drummers Matt Wilson, Roy McCurdy and Allison Miller. The Mentor-Fellows both mentor jazz camp students and are mentored by top Stanford Jazz educators. The Mentor-Fellow’s responsibilities include team-teaching, solo teaching, giving private lessons, and directing student combos. The Mentor-Fellows also host nightly Stanford Jazz Coffeehouse Faculty Jam Sessions, and even perform at Stanford Jazz Festival concerts presented concurrently during the Workshop.
As the program operates on a two-year cycle, Mentor Fellows should be prepared for a two-year commitment. Candidates must be between the ages of 21 and 28, and are expected to be accomplished players who can demonstrate a functional knowledge of “straight ahead” jazz. Mentor-Fellows receive a stipend of $500 per week (3 weeks total) for the first summer and $750 per week for the second summer, in addition to a food stipend, a travel stipend (if traveling more than 300 miles) and housing in Stanford University dormitories.
- 2022-2023
Anisha Rush – Alto Saxophone
Andrew Stephens – Trumpet
Kilan Thorns – Trombone
Jhoely Garay – Guitar
Jenny Xu – Piano
Hannah Marks – Bass
Zach Adleman – Drums - 2018-2019
Tyler Kaneshiro – Trumpet
Kushal Talele – Tenor Sax
Markus Howell – Alto Sax
Heather Rivas – Piano
Ben Cruz – Guitar
Adi Meyerson- Bass
Luther Allison – Drums - 2016-2017
Emily Kuhn – Trumpet
Daniel Rotem – Tenor Sax
Henry Solomon – Alto Sax
Javier Santiago – Piano
Carmen Rothwell – Bass
Michael Ode – Drums
- 2014-2015
JJ Kirkpatrick – Trumpet
Daniel Weidlein – Tenor Sax
Javier Nero – Trombone
Jackson Fitzgerald – Guitar
Raviv Markovitz – Bass
John Sturino – Drums - 2012-2013
Ariel Pocock – Vocals
Jon Hatamiya – Trombone
Danny Janklow – Alto Sax
Mike Bono – Guitar
Caili O’Doherty – Piano
Joshua Crumbly – Bass
Jimmy McBride – Drums - 2010-2011
Natalie Cressman – Trombone
Ben Flocks – Tenor Sax
Matt Marantz – Tenor Sax
Reuben Allen – Piano
John Britton – Trumpet
Martin Nevin – Bass
Cory Cox – Drums
- 2008-2009
Brian Chahley – Trumpet
Pascal LeBoeuf – Piano
Paul Orbell – Guitar
Kirsten Edkins – Tenor Sax
Jorge Roeder – Bass
Kevin Congleton – Drums - 2006-2007
Lynn Speakman – Alto Sax
Naomi Siegel – Trombone
Theo Croker – Trumpet
Heath Walton – Tenor Sax
Bryan Doherty – Electric Bass
Harish Raghavan – Acoustic Bass
Joe Saylor – Drums
Sam Grobe-Heintz – Piano - 2016-2017
Emily Kuhn – Trumpet
Daniel Rotem – Tenor Sax
Henry Solomon – Alto Sax
Javier Santiago – Piano
Carmen Rothwell – Bass
Michael Ode – Drums
The Mentor Fellow experience:
“My time as an SJW Mentor Fellow over the past two years has tremendously impacted my musicianship in ways which transcend the music. Having the opportunity to be a part of a cohort of individuals this serious about their craft has and continues to inspire me to become the best version of myself that I can possibly be. It is rare to find yourself in such a concentrated area of exceptional talent, skill, and ability where your only choice is to grow. That is precisely what I found once I became a part of this family. The lessons I learned and relationships I forged during my time at the workshop are priceless and have only blossomed since my time at Stanford. It was an honor to be a part of a group of people so inviting and giving of their wisdom and knowledge.” — Luther Allison, Class of 2018/19 – Drums
“Working at SJW as a mentor fellow in the summers of 2016/2017 had a major impact on me as a person, as a musician, and as an educator. For me, one of the highlights of the program was getting to work with an inspiring cohort of mentor fellows who all brought different experiences and perspectives to the table. The program is structured in a way that allows you to build close relationships with all of the other fellows, and it was exciting to learn from everyone and see how we grew as a band over the course of four weeks. I appreciated the extent to which we were able to workshop different teaching strategies and observe classes as well as teaching our own, and I’ve found that I’ve been able to translate a lot of what I learned about jazz pedagogy at SJW to my work as a music educator in Chicago. SJW is one of the most creative, supportive musical communities I’ve ever been a part of, and I value and hope to continue the relationships I built with faculty, staff, and students.” — Emily Kuhn, Class of 2016/17 – Trumpet
“Being in an environment where you have the opportunity to be immersed in a culture saturated with good vibes, incredible musicians and the highest level of world class educators is unparalleled to any musical experience I’ve ever had. I’ve definitely grown through this experience, not only as a musician – having to bring my “A” game at the Coffee House faculty jam sessions every night during the week, but also as a Mentor Fellow, I’ve expanded my approaches and techniques as an educator through the guidance of our coaches and SJW’s veteran faculty members. Shadowing these veterans, playing with them and having the opportunity to develop relationships with artists such as Roy McCurdy, Dayna Stephens, Marquis Hill and Joshua Redman were definitely some highlights from my experience that will last a lifetime. There is no intensive summer fellowship eduction like the Stanford Jazz Workshop Mentor Fellowship!” — Markus Howell, Class of 2018/19 – Saxophone
“To be immersed in a safe environment where everyone is intensely focused on the music is super important to my development as an artist, musician and a human being. The MF program was an opportunity to have this experience. It’s very rare to be surrounded by such great musicians for 2 weeks straight. It was very spiritually rewarding to be able to collectively pass on our knowledge of the music to a younger generation as well as have the chance to share ideas with the other instructors (who are some of the best instrumentalists in the world). One of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. I recommend it to any musician who wishes to be inspired and take themselves to the next level.” — Javier Santiago, Class of 2016/17 – Piano
