Wednesdays 6:30–8 pm, 9/23–12/2; No class 11/25; Performance: 12/9
| Age | Adult |
| Event Type | Class |
| Department | Ensembles |
| Day | Wed |
| Instructor | Simon Keyser Petty |
| Status | inperson event |
Explore video game music (VGM) and music from anime and animation, including works by Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi. These melodies are becoming a new generation’s standards—widely recognized, harmonically rich, and increasingly part of the repertoire musicians are arranging, performing, and improvising on.
Participants will study the harmonic, melodic, rhythmic, and stylistic elements that shape this music while developing ensemble skills, improvisation, and creative approaches to arrangement. Repertoire will range from accessible material to more advanced pieces, giving players opportunities to work with both familiar themes and more challenging musical concepts.
Wednesdays 6:30–8 pm
9/23–12/2
No class 11/25
Performance: 12/9
Simon Keyser Petty, $475
(in-person)
Important Notes
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All ensembles culminate in a live, free performance.
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Please confirm you can attend the performance date before registering.
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A placement audition is required for new students.
How to Register
Please complete the online Ensemble Application Form below. Once we’ve received your application and, for new students, your audition recording, we’ll review your information and contact you to confirm placement. Once your placement is confirmed, we’ll send you a link to submit tuition payment. No payment is required until placement is confirmed.
Application form and audition guidelines:
Jazzschool Ensemble Application Form and Audition Guidelines
About Simon Keyser Petty
Simon Keyser Petty is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and music educator based in Oakland, California. He graduated from the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, where he now runs the youth funk program. He apprenticed under Otis McDonald and brings a musical philosophy rooted in groove, improvisation, and creative expression.
Simon runs his own production firm, Studio S, with his wife, Simone. His teaching style is hands-on, adaptive, and deeply musical, with an emphasis on helping students develop their own creative voice.