Jazz at Lincoln Center's, Middle School Jazz Academy(MSJA) offers tuition free instrumental jazz instruction to New York City middle school students. Interested students must submit an application, letter of recommendation from their band instructor/music teacher, parent income verification and attend a live audition.

MSJA meets weekly from October through May, with a culminating public performance at the close of each semester. Each student receives a 45-minute private lesson during the week in addition to Saturday Academy classes from 9am to 2pm at Jazz at Lincoln Center's home, Frederick P. Rose Hall.

During Saturday Academy, students are taught how to play jazz while emphasizing the importance of teamwork, creativity and self-expression.

The MSJA faculty is comprised of accomplished jazz musicians deeply committed to connecting with today's youth through innovative and effective teaching and mentoring techniques.

Students also have the opportunity to meet and learn from Wynton Marsalis, Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and from world renowned jazz legends during guest master classes each semester.

Participating MSJA students and their families are given tickets to attend performances and educational events at Jazz at Lincoln Center to supplement the curriculum and philosophy of MSJA.

All applicants must have:
-Played an instrument for at least a year.
-Be entering grades 6-8.
-Live or attend school in one of the five New York City boroughs.
-Be interested in learning more about jazz.
-Preference given to students from families with limited means.

View the Middle School Jazz Academy Showcase - January 23, 2010

Attend our Final Showcase Concert:
Saturday, May 1 - Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola
2 sets: 12:00 and 1:30
Graduation Ceremony to follow.

MSJA Faculty Bios

For more information or questions
Call: 212-258-9789
Email: msja@jalc.org
Visit: www.jalc.org

"Middle School Jazz Academy welcomes middle school musicians into the creative and soulful world of jazz. Students make friends with each other and legendary jazz musicians. Within months, everybody is playing the blues, improvising on tunes and swinging as one voice."
-Eli Yamin, Director of MSJA

"As I learned the soul and feel of the music, I also learned the theory. What a blues scale is, what a pentatonic scale is the dominant, the seventh, and so on. With these tools I was able to express myself more."
-Heymin Yi, MSJA Student

"The program taught my son and my family that jazz is not only a music style...it's a lifestyle. It's the different way to see and live the life...it's the way to well interact with other people without discrimination...it's the way to demonstrate to the world that we are equal, no matter which color, religion, or where you came from, not even what you speak...just bring your instrument and swing."
-Stefanos DiFonis, MSJA Parent