Small ensembles. Individual attention. New genres. A place to grow.
Give your student more chances to play, be heard, and explore music beyond the school orchestra or band.
At The Jazzschool, middle and high school musicians build confidence, make friends, and learn how to play as part of a small ensemble.
Fall 2026 auditions begin August 8.
Scholarships are available.
More chances to play. More room to grow.
School bands and orchestras give students a strong musical foundation.
In a small ensemble, every musician has a bigger role.
Students get more chances to:
- Listen and respond to other players
- Take solos and creative risks
- Build stronger rhythm and confidence
- Explore music beyond orchestra and concert band
- Make friends who share their love of music
With fewer musicians in the room, students receive more focused guidance and spend more time actively playing.
Auditions are about finding the right fit.
Every student begins with an audition or placement evaluation.
The goal is not to screen students out. It is to place each musician in the ensemble where they will learn the most, be challenged at the right level, and have the best musical experience.
Whether your student is new to jazz, ready to explore a different genre, or looking for a more advanced challenge, our faculty will help find the right group.
Beginning, intermediate, and advanced musicians are welcome.
Explore new sounds.
Students can play jazz, funk, New Orleans brass band music, video game and anime themes, electronic music, and more.
Fall youth ensembles include:
Advanced High School Jazz Workshop
For experienced high school musicians ready for a serious jazz challenge.
Studio Band
A larger ensemble focused on jazz style, section playing, and performance.
Middle & High School Jazz Combos
Small groups built around listening, improvisation, and playing together.
High School Funk Ensemble
A groove-driven ensemble focused on rhythm, feel, and tight group playing.
High School New Orleans Brass Band
High-energy music rooted in brass band tradition, rhythm, and community.
Video Game / Anime Ensemble
Familiar music arranged for live ensemble performance.
Future Jazz
A small ensemble that brings electronic instruments, effects, beats, and new sounds into jazz.
Learn from musicians who know how to make a group work.
Jazzschool faculty are experienced performers and teachers who know how to help young musicians grow.
They guide students through the details of their part while teaching them how to listen, respond, improvise, and contribute to the full group.
Students do not just learn the music.
They learn how to play with people.
A full season of playing together
Fall Quarter
September 21–December 3
Classes meet after school on weekdays and on Saturday mornings and afternoons.
The quarter ends with live student performances:
December 4–6
Every youth ensemble performs as part of the Jazzschool Student Performance Series.
Performances are free and open to the public.
FALL 2026 AUDITION DATES
August 8
Advanced High School Jazz Workshop
August 15–16
Studio Band
August 22
Middle & High School Jazz Combos
High School Funk Ensemble
High School New Orleans Brass Band
Video Game / Anime Ensemble
Future Jazz
Please submit your application and any required audition materials before the appropriate audition date.
One block from BART
The Jazzschool is located in Downtown Berkeley, just one block from BART.
The Jazzschool
2087 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
Classes are easy to reach from across the Bay Area by public transportation.
Scholarships are available.
Cost should not keep a young musician from finding the right place to grow.
Families may request scholarship support during the application process.
HELP YOUR STUDENT FIND THEIR SOUND.
More chances to play.
More styles to explore.
More confidence inside the group.
Fall 2026 auditions begin August 8.
Questions?
info@jazzschool.org
510.845.5373
Find Your Ensemble
Explore all Youth Ensembles below, or use the filters to find the right fit.
Wednesdays 4:45–6:15 pm, 9/23–12/2; No class 11/25
Youth Video Game / Anime Ensemble
Explore the music of Studio Ghibli, Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, anime, and other iconic soundtracks in a collaborative ensemble setting.
Saturdays 10–11:30 am, 9/26–12/5; No class 11/28
High School New Orleans Brass Band
Explore the vibrant tradition of New Orleans brass band music in this high-energy ensemble.
Saturdays 10–11:30 am, 9/26–12/5; No class 11/28
High School Funk Ensembles
Explore the music and groove of classic funk in this high-energy ensemble.
Tuesdays 4:45–6:15 pm, 9/22–12/1; No class 11/24
Future Jazz – Incorporating Electronics into a Jazz Combo
Designed for middle and high school musicians, this innovative ensemble explores how electronic instruments and digital technology can expand the sound and creative possibilities of a jazz combo.
Offered throughout the week
Middle & High School Jazz Ensembles (Combos)
Our Jazz Combos provide middle and high school students with the opportunity to develop improvisation, ensemble playing, and musicianship in a small-group setting.
Mondays 4:45–6:15 pm, 9/21–11/30; No class 11/23
Advanced High School Jazz Workshops
The Advanced High School Jazz Workshop is a multiple DownBeat Award-winning ensemble for advanced high school musicians with a strong foundation in the bebop tradition.
Mondays 6:30–8 pm, 9/21–11/30; No class 11/23
Studio Band — High School Big Band
The Studio Band is the Jazzschool’s premier youth big band, designed for advanced high school musicians ready to perform challenging repertoire at a high level.