Middle School Jazz Lab

Become a hip cat – learn to speak the language of jazz! Students will work with renowned jazz pianist, composer, and educator Bruce Sklar to learn the musical skills and vocabulary needed to improvise on their instrument while exploring their own creative voices as artists.

Open to middle school students in grades 5-8 who play any instrument, including vocalists. Students should have at least a year of experience on their instrument and basic familiarity with reading notated music. Everyone’s individual level is taken in to consideration and this is a non-competitive environment in which to learn. Those who are new to jazz are welcome and encouraged to join!

Bruce Sklar is an educator, jazz pianist and composer who has been living, performing and teaching music in Vermont since 1983.
His jazz compositions have been a staple in the Vermont jazz scene, and have been featured in many recordings including “Stepping Out” with the Sneakers Jazz Band “Passing Through” with The Sklar/Grippo Sextet, and “Three Days in August ” by the Bruce Sklar Trio.
As a pianist he has worked with and opened for many of the most famous names in the jazz world. Bruce recently retired from teaching at Harwood Union High School, where he founded an award winning jazz program and sustained it for 30 years.

Tuition assistance is available to help make this programming available to all.

Mondays October 2- November 20 (6 meetings – no class on October 9 and October 30)