The mission of MJF is to inspire the discovery and celebration of
jazz, anchored by an iconic festival. We envision a sustainable organization that sets the standard of excellence for jazz, connects a diverse community, and helps people appreciate and learn about jazz as fans and performers.
Monterey County Education Programs:
Summer Jazz Camp is a Monterey County-based week-long intensive held at the Stevenson School in June for approximately 75 middle and high school students of all skill levels. The camp includes master classes, workshops, sectional rehearsal and more. The youth study and perform with world-renowned jazz artists.
Regional All-Stars Band and Vocal Ensembles offer students the benefit of working with some of the region’s best jazz educators. Selected by audition, students in each ensemble rehearse bi-monthly and perform across the region. The students work with some of the county’s best jazz educators in the MJF Regional All-Star Band and Vocal Ensemble, as well as the Regional All-Star Middle School Combo.
Jazz Uplifts! reaches youth in 3rd-6th grade from 15 schools throughout Monterey County. Concerts are held and then followed by in-class workshops which are hands-on and engaging, serving up to 3 schools each day.
MJF is committed to responding to the increasing disparity between those who have access to quality arts education and those who do not. Throughout the challenges of the recent years, MJF has continued its commitment to deepening knowledge and appreciation of jazz through educational programs offered free or heavily subsidized to our local young people. The Monterey Jazz Festival consistently invests significant resources in these programs. The majority of the youth we serve are in Salinas, the Monterey Peninsula and Gonzales.
These performance opportunities also inspired me and showed me that the ability to play music as a career is an attainable goal. Being a part of this program has provided me with an idea for my future career and a purpose to pursue for the rest of my life.
- Conor (youth), Pebble Beach
