How we work

Bringing Professional local Musicians together with students

So much can be learned in the “one on one” setting that traditional private music lessons provide. Equally, learning music together with peers in the school setting is the foundation of music education in the school system. The Youth Jazz Collaborative takes another step toward developing well rounded Jazz musicians by connecting students with professional musicians who far exceed the talent level of the students in the class. The learning curve is shortened dramatically when a young player is mentored in a band setting by professional musicians. Subtle tone nuances, exacting rhythms, and improvisational skills develop at an energetic pace that keeps students interested in advancing their music skills, and gives them new skills they can bring back to their school band setting, or help them master a technique they have been practicing week in and week out with their private teacher. For students who cannot afford private lessons, these collaborative settings bridge that socioeconomic gap between a mediocre student and an exceptional musician.

The Student Becomes the Teacher

The best way to learn something well is to teach it to someone else. The students from our advanced groups are volunteer instructors in our elementary band program. They are taking what they learn every week, and pulling from the years of what they have learned in school to begin basic group music instruction. This builds confidence with their instrument and lays a foundation for future music development into education, tutoring, or private lessons. Volunteer work is one of the cornerstones of todays college applications. With the Youth Jazz Collaborative’s Elementary Band Education program, teens are volunteering in an area they are personally interested in.

Community InVolvement

One of the focuses of the Youth Jazz Collaborative is to become a safe place for all creative youth to have an outlet for creative expression. Community concerts, fundraising, and events are often done in coordination with other non-profit organizations, churches, musicians, and parents to provide structure and safety for the future creatives, artists and musicians of New Mexico.