Jazz House Kids

Jazz House Kids has gained a reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent arts education and performance organizations. Our mission is to transform young lives and open doors to the future by offering pre-professional, year-round musical training along with community engagement and education programs for K-12 students from diverse backgrounds. Internationally renowned jazz performers teach alongside our professional staff, offering students a wide range of creative programming that develops musical potential, enhances leadership and life skills, and strengthens academic performance. Through music, mentoring, education and apprenticeship, Jazz House Kids cultivates tomorrow’s global citizens so they may build vibrant communities.

Jazz House Kids teaching artists—professional musicians at the top of their game who have strong teaching skills—go into underserved New Jersey schools every day, providing programming and world-class instruction, support, and mentorship to students who otherwise would not have access to this level of musical training. Our programs in underserved communities help bridge the gap in music education and place students on a level playing field. Our Jazz House music studio in Montclair serves a diverse group of students ages 8 to 18, from 35 school districts across the region. (We teach adults, too!) We offer need-based scholarship support to 40% of our students, and we never turn a student away. Our instrumental and vocal classes for students of all levels are set up as ensembles, so that students not only learn to play their instruments, but to solo, improvise, and most important, collaborate with other musicians.