SJW Mentor Fellowship Program

Congratulations to the new 2026/2027 Mentor Fellow class: Joey Curreri (trumpet), Kevin Brewster (saxophone), Carlo Rabano (trombone), Brahm Sasner (piano), Laura Simone (bass), Parker Sibley (drums) & Robert Papacica (guitar)

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 trumpeter Marquis Hill, vibraphonist Joel Ross, 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 8-Aug 1st, 2026 as well as the subsequent year July 7-31st, 2027.

SJW Mentor Fellow Program

Musicians aged 21 – 28

Next application period: November 2027

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 8-Aug 1st, 2026 and the subsequent year July 7-31st, 2027.

During each week, Mentor-Fellows interact and learn from experienced Stanford Jazz faculty in addition to visiting artists. Previous visiting artists have included trumpeter Marquis Hill, vibraphonist Joel Ross, 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.

Mentor Fellow line-ups since 2006

  • 2024-2025
    Alexandra Ridout – Trumpet
    Allie Biancoviso – Trombone
    Patrick Hill – Alto Saxophone
    David Lechuga – Guitar
    Jordan Anderson – Piano
    Rafael Enciso – Bass
    Gary Kerkezou – Drums
  • 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 Quill – 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

  • Mentor Fellows Ben Cruz (guitar) and Adi Meyerson (bass) demonstrating with Sam Reider (accordion) and Regina Carter (violin) at a Jazz Camp class themed around Jazz and Protest Music.

  • Allie Biancoviso (trombone), Alex Ridout (trumpet), Patrick Hill (alto saxophone) – in performance at the Mentor Fellow concert showcase – summer of 2025

  • Luther Allison (class of 2018-19) teaching a drum masterclass at Jazz Camp! A graduate of University of Tennessee and Michigan State University, Luther now lives in NYC where he freelances on drums and piano. Catch him in the Big Apple next time you’re visiting!

  • 2018-19 Mentor Fellows supporting a large Jazz Camp presentation with faculty veteran (and alum) Sam Reider!

  • Alex Ridout (trumpet) & Gary Kerkezou (drums) in performance at the Mentor Fellow concert showcase. Summer of 2025

  • Markus Howell (alto), Tyler Kaneshiro (trumpet) & Kushal Talele (tenor) performing at a Jazz Camp workshop; class of 2018-19 Mentor Fellows.

  • Regina Carter (violin) performing for Jazz Camp students with Ben Cruz (guitar) & Adi Meyerson (bass).

  • David Lechuga (guitar) and Rafael Enciso (bass) in performance at the Mentor Fellow concert showcase. Summer of 2025

  • 2016-17 Mentor Fellows: Emily Kuhn (trumpet), Daniel Rotem (tenor sax), Henry Solomon (alto sax), Javier Santiago (piano), Carmen Rothwell (bass), Michael Ode (drums)

  • Emily Kuhn (trumpet), 2016-17 Mentor Fellow, working with Jazz Camp brass players. Emily is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory and freelances as a trumpeter and educator in Chicago, IL. She recently accepted a Teaching Artist position at the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic.

  • Jordan Anderson (piano) in performance at the Mentor Fellow showcase concert. Summer of 2025

  • 2014-15 Mentor Fellows, hanging with their own mentor, the great saxophonist Jimmy Heath, JJ Kirkpatrick (trumpet), Daniel Weidlein (tenor sax), Javier Nero (trombone), Jackson Fitzgerald (guitar), Raviv Markovitz (bass), John Sturino (drums), Victor Lin (SJW faculty), Peter Stoltzman (SJW faculty), Jimmy Heath

  • Naomi Moon Siegel (trombone) teaching a trombone masterclass at Jazz Camp. Naomi was a member of the inaugural Mentor Fellow class (2006-07) and is now an SJW faculty veteran. A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, Naomi now lives in Missoula, MT where she maintains an active schedule composing music and organizing Lakebottom Sound, an organization that enlivens Missoula’s creative music scene through concerts , workshops, and jam sessions.

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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