FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 1, 2009 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Marya Errin Jones, Marketing Coordinator (505)- 255-9798 nmjazzworkshop@gmail.com 

SUMMER JAZZ INTENSIVE FOR TEENS New Mexico Jazz Workshop offers a challenging and fun intensive course for teens with a jones for Jazz. ALBUQUERQUE-- New Mexico Jazz Workshop is pleased to present an extraordinary, six-week summer jazz camp for teens. SUMMER JAZZ INTENSIVE, held at Albuquerque Academy (6400 Wyoming Blvd. NE) offers a comprehensive, fundamental and challenging introduction to Jazz for teens in a supportive and stimulating environment. SUMMER JAZZ INTENSIVE (Ages 12-18) June 1 - July 10, 2009 Monday - Friday 1:40-3:30pm Albuquerque Academy (Course #472-67) Tuition: $430. To register for the Summer Jazz Intensive please call Albuquerque Academy 505-828-3399. For more information about the program, contact: Amani Malaika, Education Coordinator @ 505-255-9798 or email Amani@NMJazz.org. 

Someone once said that, “Jazz is one of life's greatest gifts-- it's fun found within surprise.” In the world of music, nothing is more surprising than to witness the art form known as Jazz as experienced through the developing skills of a young artist. New Mexico Jazz Workhop, one of the Nation's oldest non-profit Jazz organizations offers young students the opportunity to hone their musical skills in this unique course. Students explore Jazz traditions such as soloing, arranging, Jazz theory, and ensemble performance. Summer Jazz Intensive also focuses on improvisation-- the cornerstone of all Jazz training.“It's a great program for kids who want to immerse themselves in the study of Jazz improvisation,” says Maud Beenhouwer, Interim Executive Director of New Mexico Jazz Workshop and Summer Jazz Intensive faculty member. “The kids come away from the program with a greater understanding of music and the opportunity to express themselves artistically through the freedom of improvisation.” According to Beenhouwer, the Summer Jazz Intensive is as much a laboratory as it is a class, allowing students time for music exploration and ear training, along with attending master classes taught by some of New Mexico's most sought-after musicians. “Students study the history of Jazz music through video and classic recordings,” Beenhouwer says. “They also get to participate in music clinics by some of the best musicians in the area.” Beenhouwer adds that students need not have previous experience in Jazz to take the Intensive. “All instruments and levels are welcome,” Beenhouwer states. “Students do not have to have prior experience with improvisation.” She explains that students of all abilities are welcome in the program, and will be paired with students who complement them and challenge them to grow. “Because the program runs every day for six weeks, we really see dramatic improvement in the students,” Beenhouwer adds. “Summer Jazz Intensive is a great opportunity for young musicians to continue to hone their craft in a supportive and enriching setting,” Beenhouwer says. “The skills students will come away with will serve them throughout the duration of their musical lives.”

SUMMER JAZZ INTENSIVE (Ages 12-18) June 1 - July 10, 2009 Monday - Friday 1:40-3:30pm Albuquerque Academy (Course #472-67) Tuition: $430. To register for the Summer Jazz Intensive please call Albuquerque Academy 505-828-3399. For more information about the program, contact: Amani Malaika, Education Coordinator @ 505-255-9798 or email Amani@NMJazz.org. Summer Jazz Intensive is made possible in part by a generous donation from the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund. 
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Summer Sizzles at New Mexico JAZZ CAMP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 23, 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Marya Errin Jones, Marketing Coordinator

(505)- 255-9798 nmjazzworkshop@gmail.com

SUMMER SIZZLES at NEW MEXICO JAZZ CAMP

New Mexico Jazz Camp Offers an eclectic, creative experience for kids, all summer long.

ALBUQUERQUE-- As the close of the school year approaches, New Mexico Jazz Workshop offers an exciting and engaging answer to the ubiquitous summer camp. JAZZ CAMP, now in its 16^th year, provides school children ages 6-12 with an array of fun and challenging workshops that span the creative arts, including music drama, visual arts and dance. JAZZ CAMP Ages 6-12 JUNE 1--JULY 10 @ ALVARADO ELEMENTARY 1100 Solar Rd. NW Three Sessions: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm Session A: June 1-12 Session B: June 15-26 Session C: June 29-- July 10 COST: 2 Weeks-- $300 Four Weeks-- $550 – Six Weeks-- $800. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE. Space is limited. To register for Jazz Camp please call Amani Malaika, Education Coordinator @ 505-255-9798 or email Amani@NMJazz.org.

Research indicates that exposure to the arts not only helps children develop critical skills to adapt to the challenges of daily life, but the ability to express oneself creatively can actually make a child smarter. For many kids, the prospect of spending the summer in a classroom might seem counter-productive to their idea of fun, but according to Amani Malaika, New Mexico Jazz Workshop Education Coordinator nothing could be further from the truth.“Jazz Camp is an exciting program, where kids get to create art in all forms, Malaika says. “Kids use their bodies, minds and voices. “Our summer camp engages all the senses.” Malaika adds that kids need not have a background in the arts to enroll in Jazz Camp. “Kids who attend Jazz Camp don't have to have previous experience with music, dance or visual art,” Mailaika states. “Our summer camp is a great introduction to the arts.” Malaika adds that for children with experience in the arts, Jazz camp programs expand their creative knowledge and challenge them to develop their talents.

During each two-week session, Malaika states that children ages 6-12 have the opportunity to build their own summer camp experience through a variety of classes that include music, theatre and dance. “Morning classes aim to build a child's musical foundation,” Malaika says. “In the afternoons, kids get to choose electives.” Malaika explains that kids can select classes in performance art, music,visual art, among others. “This year for the first time, kids will get a chance to learn African folk songs, which is the root of Jazz,” Malaika says. In addition to the new African folk songs course, the Jazz Camp class line-up also includes the debut of a course entitled Live Art. Students experiment with music improvisation while simultaneously, their classmates studying visual art will respond to musical impulses.

“Live Art gives kids an opportunity for self-expression and a chance to create their own work,” Malaika says. For those kids who love to move, Jason Nious, a former member of the Internationl rhythm phenomenon STOMP will teach classes in hip hop. Malaika says that there is a little something for everyone at Jazz Camp “A lot of the classes change from session to session,” Malaika adds. “Kids can spend the whole summer at Jazz Camp and receive an eclectic, well-rounded experience.” Malaika stresses that during these economic times, money may be an issue for some parents. Due to the generous support from the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund, Jazz Camp will provide a number of full scholarships for children who desire to enter the program. “NM Jazz Workshop believes every child should have access to music education,” Malaika says. “The experience of creating in music, in all arts forms is crucial for the healthy development of all children.”

JAZZ CAMP Ages 6-12 JUNE 1--JULY 10 @ ALVARADO ELEMENTARY 1100 Solar Rd. NW Three Sessions: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm Session A: June 1-12 Session B: June 15-26 Session C: June 29-- July 10 COST: 2 Weeks-- $300 Four Weeks-- $550 – Six Weeks-- $800. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE. Space is limited. To register for Jazz Camp please call Amani Malaika, Education Coordinator @ 505-255-9798 or email Amani@NMJazz.org. Jazz Camp is made possible in part by a generous donation from the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund.

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