Jam Camp West

CLASSES

Living Jazz is committed to Transforming Lives Through Music. In order to achieve this goal, we remain intentional about designing programs based on clear and defined perspectives and philosophies.

We believe that high quality music education should be accessible to all people regardless of skill level or financial capacity. We also believe that music is a vehicle for overcoming differences, and is a natural bridge to promoting respect and appreciation for diverse cultural traditions. We have seen first hand how children and youth from diverse backgrounds can come together and share in a deeply impactful joyous and creative experience based on mutual respect and generosity.

SPECIALTY CLASSES -

The following are our 2023 classes from last summer. Many of this year’s classes will be similar. Updates will be posted in February.

THEORY AND COMPOSITION - All Levels; Kyle Blase; Have you ever wanted to write your own instrumental composition? In this class we will be discovering different tools and techniques to develop writing your very own melodies and orchestrations. You don't even have to read or write notes. No experience is needed. We'll go over the necessary theory that you'll need for our original piece of music in class.

EXPRESSION THROUGH SONGWRITING - All Levels ; Charles Simon; Songwriting is a rewarding form of expression for a growing artist. This class provides the novice with basic tools and creativity exercises to “get them going.” Basics of harmony, lyric writing, melody and song form are discussed in a fun, supportive setting. Knowledge of a chordal instrument (guitar, piano, uke, etc.) is helpful but not required. Songbooks, poetry, journals are provided, and encouraged if you have your own.

WORDS AND WRITING –All Levels; Reese Bullen; This class will focus on using free-writing and simple activities to train ourselves to effectively get out through our pens that which is in our minds. Throughout it all we will use silliness and play to ensure that no one takes anything too seriously. So trabulance your naturintzes and betulerate some caf.

UKULELE ORCHESTRA – All Levels; Kyle Blase; Want to learn how to play ukulele or continue your practice? In just one week you will learn chords, melodies, repertoire and a little bit of the history and legend behind the ukulele. Several songs will be introduced with the intent of mastering at least one during the week. We will spend most of our time playing, (not talking!) and for those of you who are a little more experienced, we will have chord inversions available to further challenge you. The ultimate goal of the course is to give each player the skills they need to motivate themselves in their own ukulele practice. There is no limit to the class size, please bring your ukulele if you have one, if you don't we will have some extras for your use. Bring a pencil and a notebook if possible. See you there. 

INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES

Ensembles are open to all instrumentalists and will be taught by ear, not written music. Instrumentalists must have at least 6 months prior experience on their instrument. Please make sure to indicate on the class sign-up form which instrument you will play in each ensemble you sign up for.

BLUES ENSEMBLE – Daria Johnson; all levels; This ensemble will teach students of all levels the fundamentals of the Blues.  Students will explore the roots of American music through the history of the blues—field cries, work songs, and spirituals.  Students will learn to play a 12 bar blues and learn about other blues forms that are the foundation of all American music. You must bring your own instrument to camp unless you are a keyboard player or drummer. All instruments and singers are welcome.

ROCK, POP, HIP-HOP AND MORE ENSEMBLE – Daria Johnson; int/adv.; This ensemble will explore the compositions of all music styles created in America including rock, early blues, swing, rhythm and blues, pop, country western, and hip hop. You must bring your own instrument to camp unless you are a keyboard player or drummer. All instruments and singers are welcome. 

JAZZ/LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE – All Levels; Terrence Brewer; All Levels; In this ensemble will explore Jazz and Latin Jazz compositions with different stylistic feels such as Swing, Bossa Nova, Afro-Cuban/Afro-Caribean, Brazilian and others. Skills taught will be phrasing a melody, memorizing melodies and song forms by ear, soloing using modes, building a solo, new melodic and harmonic resources and how to practice them. You must bring your own instrument to camp unless you are a keyboard player or drummer. All instruments welcome.

ROCK ENSEMBLE – Josiah Woodson; All Levels; Come and have fun learning some rock tunes. You do not have to read music, just the desire to have fun in a supportive environment. You must bring your own instrument to camp unless you are a keyboard player or drummer. All instruments welcome. 

ADVANCED INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE – Terrence Brewer; by audition on first day of camp. This Jazz, Blues, Brazilian/Afro-Caribbean instrumental ensemble will give more experienced instrumentalists a chance to work at a faster pace. If campers do not get taken into this ensemble, they will move into their second choice for this hour. All instruments welcome. (no vocalists)

GUITAR ENSEMBLE – Terrence Brewer- All Levels; (**Prerequisite of 6 months on the instrument or knowledge of these basic guitar chords E, A, D, G, C, Em, Am, E7, A7, D7, C7) This Multiple-Levels Guitar Ensemble will focus on learning/playing chords, strumming/picking patterns, and improvisation techniques/scales. Campers will be using Jazz, Blues, Funk, Rock and Pop songs as vehicles for exploring the large scope of music the guitar is capable of playing. 

PERCUSSION

FUNKY PERCUSSION – Javier Navarrette; All Levels; Get your hands on shakers, bells, congas and other drums for an adventure using rhythms from Cuba and West Africa to play in funk, rock, or R 'n' B music.  Learn how to find your groove along with guitar, bass, and drums in your favorite songs. You are not required to bring an instrument to camp, but if you have one, feel free to bring it along.

INTRO TO AFRO-CUBAN MUSIC – Javier Navarrette; All Levels; We will be learning the fundamentals of folkloric Afro-Cuban rhythms, including basic conga technique, a brief history of Afro-Cuban people, auxiliary percussion techniques and some song and dance. You are not required to bring an instrument to camp, but if you have one, feel free to bring it along.

BIG FUN ON THE STEEL PANS – Mark Rosenthal; All Levels; (This class will be offered 3x each day with different music taught in each class) We will be jamming from day one. It takes very little time to get our collective groove on. For one thing the instruments provided have all the notes written on the drums!! (shh don't tell anyone).Steel pans are not only a unique addition to the world's catalogue of instruments, they are also really fun to play. If you enjoy the sound and have never played you need to check it out. One Trinidadian saying I like is: "Not I, "We!" and it is very much a community feeling playing in the steelband. In the class we explore different styles of music. Students will be given parts to play according to their level. Classes often prepare one or two pieces for a Saturday performance. This same class will meet 3x times per day.

DANCE

Whether or not you have previous dance experience, come try out a dance class. Dance is a great tool for improving your rhythm and enhancing your confidence and stage presence as a vocalist or instrumentalist.

GET IN THE GROOVE – Charles Simon; All Levels; This class focuses on the hip hop grooves open to all levels dancers will get familiar with hip hop grooves and choreography. Styles varying from street tutting, to popular movements like the “floss” , “shoot”, and “woah”. Students will learn a choreographed piece to showcase at the end of camp. Campers of all dance levels and experience are welcome to join. Dancers come in attire that will allow you to dance fully and freely. (T-shirts, hoodies, sweats, leggings, basketball shorts, and joggers are great examples of what to wear and dancers are encouraged to showcase their personal style through their clothing). Wear comfortable sneakers with laces to dance in and baseball hats, snapbacks, fitted caps are also a great way to express yourself. Come on and get in the groove! 

PERFORMANCE GLOW UP – Samara Atkins; Level: adv. beg/ int./adv.This class is for the dancer that has experience with the fundamentals of hip hop, and is ready to take their moves and performance to the next level. Dancers will focus on performance technique, sharpening their skills on execution, musicality, delivery, timing nuances, and build their dance vocabulary, all while elevating their overall skill in dance and stage presence. Urban choreography will be taught in this class and dancers will have a chance to create moves that may be incorporated into the final performance piece that will be performed at the end of camp, if they so choose. Dancers come in attire that allows you to move fully and freely. (T-shirts, hoodies, sweats, leggings, basketball shorts, and joggers are great examples of what to wear and dancers are encouraged to showcase their personal style through their clothing). Wear comfortable sneakers with laces to dance in and baseball hats, snapbacks, fitted caps are also a great way to express yourself. 

JAZZ SOUL DANCE – Julianna Cressman; All Levels; Julianna’s dance class is a space for musical expression! We will be connecting to rhythm and melody using our bodies, complementing and contrasting a fabulous multi-genre playlist. You’ll learn some foundational jazz technique, with elements of salsa, folkloric and other popular dance forms woven in.

VOCALS

FINDING MY VOICE – Tammi Brown; All Levels; ‘Singing Tone’ basically means the overall sound of the voice. This class will focus on the tone of the voice and learn ways to control and alter it at will.  Students are encouraged to sing solo (or in a group) a favorite tune in their own style.

I’M ALL EARS – Tammi Brown; All Levels; This class uses fun, interactive musical games to help enhance the ear with note recognition and pitch clarification. Students will create and participate in call and response riffs duplicating exactly what was heard.

LOVE THAT HARMONY – Tammi Brown; Int/Adv; The ‘melody’ is the tune you learn, the ‘harmony’ is the compliment.  Students will partner with other class members to  create and perform harmonies to tunes where none exist. Students will participate in a ‘Singing Circle’ where harmonies are developed over the created melody.

VOCAL PLAYGROUND - All Levels; Lisa Forkish; In this class, we will approach singing using games, play, and vocal improvisation. We will create our own arrangements, write some mini songs, and practice embracing the spirit of creativity and letting go of perfectionism. (Accompanist)