Calendar of Events

The vocal jazz performance classes focus on repertoire and use class time to develop interpretation, phrasing, improvisation and interaction with accompanists while preparing for an end-of-quarter student performance.

In this intermediate/advanced class, students develop improvisation skills in the guitar trio format. Students focus on group interaction and dynamics, soloing, comping for bass solos, trading fours with the drummer, building repertoire and, finally, getting gigs! Maximum enrollment: four guitarists, one bassist, one drummer.

A class for intermediate- to advanced-level vocalists interested in developing a repertoire of Latin American folk songs. Students sing lush boleros, cha-chas, guarachas, son, milongas, Argentinian zambas, and other Latin American classics performed by vocalists including Omara Portuondo and Eliades Ochoa from the Buena Vista Social Club. Class focuses on phrasing, interpretation, melodic alternatives, lyrics, emotional and creative expression, as well as ensemble and individual singing.

This class explores the irresistible odd-metered rhythms, sultry melodic modes, and unique harmonies and varied moods of contemporary Balkan ensemble music, from soulful taxims (slow modal improvisations) to ecstatic wedding style dance tunes. These styles of music, as performed by artists including Bulgaria’s Ivo Papasov, Serbia’s Boban Markovic and Goran Bregovic, and Turkey’s Burhan Öçal are gaining global popularity.