Legends of jazz and contemporary masters share their stories and technique in master classes designed to improve the playing of musicians and offer insights to the non-musician into how jazz is made.

Trombone Master Class: Two Sides of the Slide with Wycliffe Gordon and Joseph Alessi
DATE: Saturday, February 26, 2005, 2pm
MAIN PARTICIPANTS: Joseph Alessi, Wycliffe Gordon, Students from the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies, and the Juilliard Trombone Choir
LOCATION: Irene Diamond Education Center, Frederick P. Rose Hall
DESCRIPTION: Delve into the richness of the trombone with masters Joseph Alessi and Wycliffe Gordon as they demonstrate the ins and outs of both classical and jazz trombone. Assisted by trombone students from The Juilliard School, Alessi and Gordon coach and critique both individual and section playing. While classical students play jazz and jazz students play classical, Alessi and Gordon provide their expertise with invaluable techniques. The class culminates in the world premiere performance of Wycliffe Gordon's composition "Tuba Mirum and the Other Side" for trombone choir and two soloists—a must-view for all trombone players.

Bebop to Big Band: Master Class with Gerald Wilson
DATE: Saturday, February 25, 2006
MAIN PARTICIPANTS: Gerald Wilson, The Juilliard Jazz Orchestra
LOCATION:Irene Diamond Education Center, Frederick P. Rose Hall
DESCRIPTION: Bandleader, composer, arranger, educator - Gerald Wilson has done it all in his almost 70 years in music. In this very special master class, Wilson traces his remarkable career and discusses the legendary musicians he has worked with, from Jimmy Lunceford and Duke Ellington to Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson. The Juilliard Jazz Orchestra helps Wilson bring his musical genius to life with performances of a number of Wilson compositions. A very personal guided tour of jazz history.

Band Director Academy: Drums and Bass Relationship
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2009
Led by: Alvin Atkinson, Jr. and Rodney Whitaker
Location: Irene Diamond Education Center, Frederick P. Rose Hall
Description: Join Band Director Academy faculty members Alvin Atkinson, Jr. and Rodney Whitaker as they discuss the essentials of how a bassist and drummer work together on stage. These tips and techniques can be applied to the band room or the bandstand and help clarify what makes this rhythm section partnership so unique and strong.

Talks and Lectures
Concerts for Students
Advocacy