(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) offers a plethora of jazz educational programs with registration dates fast approaching. Here's a look at the programs.
CITY VERSES - In this one-of-a-kind program co-founded by NJPAC and Rutgers-Newark, discover the extraordinary connection between poetry and jazz. These two art forms have intertwined throughout history, and now it’s your turn to create the magic that happens when they play together! Join a workshop to write poems set to jazz, or improvise music inspired by poetry. Read your work aloud at one of our community Poetry Shares. And enjoy performances showcasing poets and jazz artists from Newark and beyond. Creativity ignites when you explore, experiment, and express yourself at any of our free City Verses events. Programs are available for kids, teens, adults, and schools.
Spring 2022: February-April 2022 - A series of four virtual poetry workshops led by Rutgers-Newark MFAs that include a curated reading by local poets. Registration: FREE. Registration opens January 2022. Program is open to students 18+ and adults of all ages.
Spring 2022: Jazz and Poetry Community Performances (dates TBA) - Five free, in-person performances in libraries and community venues in Newark featuring local poets
Spring 2022: Jazz and Poetry High School Residencies - 10-week, virtual jazz and poetry residencies with East Side, Payne Tech, High Tech, and Arts High Schools. Sessions are co-taught by NJPAC’s distinguished jazz faculty and Rutgers talented MFA poetry candidates and culminate with a final student share.
April 30, 2022: International Day of Jazz Celebration - An annual free, day-long, co-pro celebration with Jazz House Kids at the Newark Express building featuring all of the NJPAC student jazz ensembles.
Summer 2022: July 18-30, 2022 - Calling all teen musicians, singers, poets, and writers. Creativity ignites when you explore, experiment, and express yourself at NJPAC’s free City Verses program. Together, students learn about and create jazz poetry, a uniquely American art form that blends verses and rhythm, song and swing. During this two-week, in-person day camp held at Rutgers-Newark University, students collaborate with other young creators to share their unique stories and perspectives. Sessions are co-taught by NJPAC’s distinguished jazz faculty and Rutgers talented MFA poetry candidates.
The City Verses Summer Camp is held for two weeks, Monday-Friday. Sessions are divided into two sections. In week one, students focus on their choice of jazz or poetry writing techniques guided by our expert faculty. In week two, students progress into cross-disciplinary collaboration to create their own original works of jazz poetry. A final, live share caps-off the two-week camp at Rutgers-Newark University for students and parents.
Registration: FREE. Registration opens February 2022 and due July 8, 2022. Program is open to students ages 13-18.
WELLS FARGO JAZZ FOR TEENS - This popular program celebrates its 25th anniversary in Fall 2022. Jazz for Teens is a comprehensive and sequential jazz education program that develops well-rounded young performers through access to life-changing experiences. Students are provided access to top-notch musical training and study with world-class working artists, opportunities for artistic exchange within the community, and college and career exploration. Through this unique program, students become more than musicians—they grow into exceptional people ready to take on the world. Some of today’s leading artists are alumni including MacArthur Fellowship “Genius” Tyshawn Sorey. Mark Gross serves as the director and provides private instruction upon availability. Classes include jazz history, theory/composition, technique, ensembles, and more. Program is open to students ages 13-18.
James Moody Jazz Orchestra is a large ensemble of students from the Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens (WFJT) program. Conducted by Mark Gross, this ensemble plays a standard big band repertoire of jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, Quincy Jones, and Count Basie, as well as original compositions written and arranged by Mark Gross, faculty, and some students. A public performance is scheduled for May 2022.
George Wein Scholars Ensemble is a select ensemble of students selected from the Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens (WFJT) program who are personally mentored by Mark Gross and the WJFT faculty. The George Wein Scholars are given unique opportunities to learn and grow as jazz musicians from leaders in the jazz field today. A public performance is scheduled for 2022.
Spring 2022: January 22-May 14, 2022 Registration due January 2022. Cost: $150.
GERI ALLEN JAZZ CAMP (Jersey Arts People’s Choice Award Winner for “Favorite Performing Arts Camp”). NJPAC’s annual Geri Allen Jazz Camp welcomes ages 14-26 who identify as female and non-binary from around the world to refine their jazz techniques, grow their confidence and build community with other aspiring performers. This one-week immersion program hosted at Rutgers University-Newark Campus, is an exciting opportunity for students to refine their jazz technique, grow their confidence and build community with other aspiring performers. They will work with professional jazz artists in individual lessons, small ensemble work and industry panel discussions. This year’s faculty include: Allison Miller “Rising Star Drummer” winner in Downbeat magazine’s critic’s poll, vocalist Carla Cook, acoustic bassist Marion Hayden, pianist/composer Ellen Rowe, saxophonist Bruce Williams, tap dancer Brinae Ali, and trumpeter Bria Skonberg.
The program is under the direction of Artistic Director Regina Carter, the renowned jazz violinist. A recipient of the MacArthur “Genius” Award and a Doris Duke Artist Award, Carter has been widely hailed for her mastery of her instrument and her drive to expand its possibilities. The program’s namesake, the late Geri Allen, was a longtime Montclair resident and lauded jazz pianist, composer, and educator. Support provided by Women@NJPAC
Summer 2022: July 10-16, 2022 - Registration due June 1, 2022; Cost: $1,250 (on-site at Rutgers), $1,050 (commuters), and $500 (virtual).
NJPAC’s Arts Education offerings reach more than 60,000 students and families through live performances, in-school residency programs and arts training classes. These programs bring the joy of dance, music, theater, and poetry directly to the classroom. Through our innovative residencies, Teaching Artists create stimulating performing arts experiences that engage students’ imaginations and build self-confidence through positive self-expression. Our residencies help students learn to work together and develop their creative independence.
In addition to NJPAC’s innovative In-School Programs, the Arts Center’s comprehensive Arts Education Department offers an Arts Training Program that helps students at every level learn their artistic and technical skills they need to study acting, dance, instrumental music, vocal music, and musical theater. NJPAC also presents a SchoolTime Performance Series, which introduces students and their families to a world of entertainment and culture. NJPAC’s Arts Education programs feature professional artists from a wide variety of traditions and performances of music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and more.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located at One Center Street in downtown Newark, N.J., is America’s most diverse performing arts center, and the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted 10 million visitors (including more than 1.8 million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.
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