Giant Steps Big Band
My daughter said all the teachers are amazing, super supportive of students learning jazz for the first time.
~ Jazz Camp parent
Giant Steps Big Band
Directed by some of the top middle school jazz educators in the Bay Area, the Giant Steps Big Bands offer an exciting way for young musicians to improve their jazz skills faster than they ever thought could be possible!
Each band meets weekly to work on fun jazz tunes, to learn to perform jazz styles, to improve instrumental skills, and to learn how to improvise. During each rehearsal, students receive master classes from SJW faculty members with expertise on their instruments.
Giant Steps Big Bands perform at least once per semester.
The Giant Steps Big Band program continues through the fall and spring semesters, so participants commit to the band for the entire school year. There is an additional registration process for the spring.
Subject to full enrollment, we’re planning to offer two Giant Steps Big Bands this fall, with rehearsal dates to be announced soon.
Giant Steps Big Band North, directed by Dave Gregoric at Mills High School, Millbrae
Giant Steps Big Band South, directed by John Burn at Homestead High School, Cupertino
Scroll down for videos, program details, and faculty for all three of our Giant Steps Big Bands!
Faculty
Important information and policies
Jazz Camp
Jazz Camp
AtJazz Camp, you’ll get lots of playing time with young musicians who share your level of experience, whether you’ve been playing jazz for years, or you’ve never played jazz at all. You’ll have close contact with some of the best jazz artists and educators in the world in a fun, focused, and supportive environment. You’ll play in a small combo every day, so you’ll get a lot of experience taking solos and having a musical leadership role in a band.
Our highly structured curriculum is tailored to your needs and level of experience. You’ll deepen your mastery of your instrument, and learn a lot about improvisation. Our faculty artists are experts at helping you understand jazz harmony, and how to apply it to your playing.
You’ll meet musicians from around the world, and make friendships that will last a lifetime. The SJW community is one of the most supportive and encouraging circles of artists, educators, and students in the business, and you’ll become a part of it.
Your family and friends can hear how you’ve improved at the free Showcase, held on Friday of each week of Jazz Camp.
Jazz Camp Classes and Activities:
- Jazz Theory – focuses on harmony, song forms, scales, and advanced concepts
- Musicianship – focuses on ear training and rhythm exercises
- Masterclass – virtuoso faculty members teach advanced techniques
- Special presentations and demonstrations – SJW faculty relate their experiences as leading artists in jazz, perform live demonstrations, and answer questions about what it’s like to study, perform, compose, and live a life in jazz
- Small ensembles / combos – daily rehearsals in small combos directed by faculty artists
- Private lessons – every student receives a private lesson with SJW faculty
- Jam sessions – fun, optional playing sessions with other students
- Afternoon free time – relax, practice or take part in the talent show, dorm dance, ice cream social, sports, arts and crafts, and jam sessions.
Jazz Camp Vocal Program
Jazz Camp Vocal Program
Fun introduction to jazz singing, with singers from all over the country! Taught be some of the top vocal jazz artists in the Bay Area and beyond, the Jazz Camp vocal program will give you lots of experience singing solo with a professional piano trio, scat singing, and singing in a jazz vocal ensemble — as well as a solid grounding in singing fundamentals.
Jazz Camp Vocal Program Classes and Activities:
- Jazz theory – focuses on harmony, song forms, scales, and advanced concepts
- Musicianship – focuses on ear training and rhythm exercises
- Masterclass – virtuoso faculty members teach advanced techniques
- Solo singing instruction & improvisation – daily rehearsals with a professional faculty piano trio directed by vocal faculty
- Private lessons – every student receives a private lesson with SJW faculty
- Jam sessions – fun, optional playing sessions with other instrumentalist students
- Afternoon free time – relax, practice or take part in the talent show, dorm dance, ice cream social, sports, arts and crafts, and jam sessions.
Faculty
Jazz Camp Package
When we picked our son up, he said ‘I was among giants’ and was very excited by the professional level of the musicians he
met during the week.
~ Jazz Camp parent
Jazz Camp Package
TheJazz Camp Package provides 13 days of continuous jazz instruction guided by a rigorous and progressive curriculum. Your schedule will be customized to your needs and skills, and as you move into the second week of camp, your classes will be more challenging. You’ll play with peers and study with a prestigious faculty of professional musicians and educators, so you’ll improve more rapidly than you ever thought possible.
The Jazz Camp Package includes masterclasses, small ensemble playing, and two private lessons, as well as classes in theory and musicianship. You’ll have engaging classes on Saturday between the first and second week, as well as admission to the Stanford Jazz Festival concert on Saturday night. And you’ll get to play in two Friday night Showcases.
Jazz Camp Package Classes and Activities:
- Jazz theory – focuses on harmony, song forms, scales, and advanced concepts
- Musicianship – focuses on ear training and rhythm exercises
- Masterclass – virtuosi faculty members teach strong fundamentals and advanced techniques
- Special presentations and demonstrations – SJW faculty relate their experiences as leading artists in jazz, perform live demonstrations, and answer questions about what it’s like to study, perform, compose, and live a life in jazz
- Small ensembles / combos – daily rehearsals in small combos directed by faculty artists
- Private lessons – every student receives a private lesson with SJW faculty
- Jam sessions – fun, optional playing sessions with other students and faculty
- Free time – relax, practice or take part in the talent show, dorm dance, ice cream social, sports, arts and crafts, and jam sessions.
A typical day at Jazz Camp
- 9:00 a.m. All-camp morning meeting
- 9:20 a.m. Theory or musicianship classes
- 10:30 a.m. Instrument-specific Masterclasses
- 12:00 Lunch; noon concerts by faculty on Wednesday and Friday
- 1:00 p.m. Theory or musicianship classes
- 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Combo rehearsals and afternoon classes
- 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Dorm resident daily check-in
- 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Jam session (optional)
- 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Counselor-led sports (optional)
- 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Private lessons, Stanford Jazz Festival concerts, dorm dance, s’mores cooking, or other counselor-led activities
- 10:00 p.m. CoHo Jam with faculty (optional)
Faculty
Jazz Institute
My favorite thing? Direct one-on-one teaching, exactly where I need to be taught and challenged in my artistic endeavors.
~ Jazz Institute participant
Jazz Institute
AtJazz Institute, you’ll have a six-day intensive interaction with jazz legends, top professionals, gifted educators, and motivated students from around the world. You choose your own classes from a curriculum that includes masterclasses, theory, musicianship, arranging, and more. Unique to the Jazz Institute are the Special Presentations given by artist faculty on topics in which they specialize or have particular experience — imagine your favorite jazz artists telling you the secrets of their musical success! Every night, you can go to the Stanford Jazz Festival concert, the student jam sessions, and the CoHo Jam featuring some of the top artists in the world.
Ideal for adult jazz players at all levels, Jazz Institute provides a high-quality introduction to improvisation — you don’t need to have any previous experience with jazz at all. Intermediate and advanced musicians and professionals will be challenged and encouraged to improve by our amazing faculty artists. Jazz Institute is also perfect for musicians skilled in other musical genres looking to gain experience in jazz, as well as music educators who want to hone their jazz skills for teaching and performance. It’s the perfect place for anyone looking to reconnect with music.
Jazz Institute is also open to young musicians with advanced jazz skills. SJW’s inter-generational approach gives unparalleled access to some of the greatest jazz musicians in the world, so young players can learn directly from living legends, touring artists, and recording pros.
Classes, combos, and other activities will mix participants of all ages, which enhances the learning experience for all.
Yilian Cañizares
Ben Williams
Tivon Pennicott
Matthew Stevens
Or Bareket
Dave Douglas
Kris Davis
George Cables
Obed Calvaire
Camila Meza
Dena DeRose
Caroline Davis
Taylor Eigsti
Marcus Shelby
Steven Lugerner
Patrick Wolff
Randy Porter
Sylvia Cuenca
Edward Simon
Victor Lin
Matt Wilson
Maya Kronfeld
Michael Mitchell
Tomoko Funaki
Bennett Paster
Rob Kohler
Jazz Institute Vocal Program
“The vocal program rocked my world. I learned so much my head is spinning!”
~ Vocal Institute Participant
Jazz Institute Vocal Program
The Jazz Institute Vocal Program is a joyous week designed for amateur and professional-level adult singers, and highly advanced young singers. The program focuses primarily on solo jazz singing. The highlights include:
THEORY: A daily theory class tailored specifically for vocalists focusing on chart writing, chart reading, and general theory. We also off beginning, intermediate, and advanced jazz
DAILY MASTERCLASS: We’ll explore a variety of topics including:
- Improvisation with lyrics
- De-mystify scatting
- Rubato singing
- Repertoire
- How to communicate with a band
- How to practice
- Unravel the mystery of phrasing
- How to bring a ballad to life
- Ways to spark your creativity
- Creating your own arrangements
- The business of music
SINGING WITH A TRIO: Each day you’ll have an opportunity to work with a professional trio.
DAILY SPECIALS: Daily presentations by world-class SJW faculty include Latin rhythms and percussion, the business of music, creating your own book of charts, songwriting, improvising, stage presence, and more.
LECTURES: Visiting international artists talk about their experiences in jazz.
JAM: Nightly jam sessions for vocalists led by SJW faculty.
PERFORMANCE: Vocalist & Trio have an optional performance on Friday evening. Your friends and family are encouraged to come!
Sing Like a Horn Program
The Vocal Program offers a special Track for a limited number of interested advance singers. It’s taken in conjunction with the regular Vocal Program so you won’t miss anything! The Sing Like A Horn program integrates vocalists into the student instrumental combos. You’ll be singing wordlessly (like a horn) with the horn section. You’ll learn to read and create arrangements, improvise solos, and experience the thrill of singing with the other horns.
Prerequisite: An advanced sense of jazz harmony, some soloing skills, and some sight-singing skills.
By audition only on first day of camp.
Faculty
Advanced Package
It’s an amazing opportunity to study from the greats, in a place where inspiration and electricity abound.
~ Jazz Institute participant
Advanced Package
Ifyou’re looking for an advanced jazz experience to challenge you to reach new levels of jazz playing, SJW’s two-week Advanced Package program is for you. A 13-day immersion with motivated students from around the world, the Advanced Package takes an inter-generational approach that gives unparalleled access to some of the greatest jazz musicians performing today, so young players like you can learn directly from living legends, touring artists, and recording pros.
During the first week, the curriculum is structured and participants follow a special schedule based on their needs and skill as a jazz musician. During the second week, you can choose your own classes from a curriculum that focuses on improvisation and includes small ensemble playing, masterclasses, and performance opportunities, as well as classes in theory, musicianship, arranging, jazz history, and more. Admission to nightly Stanford Jazz Festival performances is included, and there are several jam sessions each evening.
Advanced Package Classes and Activities:
- Jazz theory – focuses on harmony, song forms, scales, and advanced concepts
- Musicianship – focuses on ear training and rhythm exercises
- Masterclass – virtuoso faculty members teach advanced techniques
- Special presentations and demonstrations – SJW faculty relate their experiences as leading artists in jazz, perform live demonstrations, and answer questions about what it’s like to study, perform, compose, and live a life in jazz
- Small ensembles / combos – daily rehearsals in small combos directed by faculty artists
- Private lessons – every student receives a private lesson with SJW faculty
- Jam sessions – fun, optional playing sessions with other students and faculty
- Afternoon free time – relax, practice or take part in the talent show, dorm dance, ice cream social, sports, arts and crafts, and jam sessions.
Faculty
Miles Ahead Improv Sessions
My daughter said all the teachers are amazing, super supportive of students learning jazz for the first time.
~ Jazz Camp parent
Miles Ahead Improv
In this hands-on class on improvisation, you’ll learn to recognize chord symbols, and to identify scales and note choices that go with chords. Every week, you’ll use that knowledge to have fun playing jazz! You’ll learn by playing lots of great pieces from the jazz repertoire, and by getting more familiar with the vocabulary of jazz. Most important, you’ll sound better by increasing your creativity and confidence.
Classes meet on four Monday evenings, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at Braun Music Center on the campus of Stanford University. Open to middle and high school music students and adults. Minimum student enrollment will be 10 students, maximum student enrollment is 15. Beginning to advanced students welcome! All students will be invited to hang and play at the CoHo jam session following each class from 8:00-10:00 p.m..
Instructor Steven Lugerner is the Director of Educational and Festival Programming at SJW. As a saxophonist and composer, Steven is well known and respected as a member of the Bay Area jazz community and as a jazz educator. Please visit www.stevenlugerner.com to learn more.
Full class schedule for 2024: Monday evenings, June 17, 24, and July 1, and 8.
All classes are 5:30-7:30 p.m., CoHo jam session to follow from 8:00-10:00 p.m..
Tuition : $495
Attendance at all four classes isn’t required for an incredible experience!
Faculty
Jazz Mentor Fellowship Program
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
Stanford Jazz Workshop is now accepting applications for the 2024/25 Jazz Mentor Fellow Program! Read below for more details.
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
Download the 2024 Brochure
