Press Release
Although we are unable to meet face-to-face, Charleston Jazz and the Charleston Jazz Academy are excited to offer our virtual Summer of Jazz Series. Topics range from improvisation, music theory, music technology, and jazz history. These virtual lessons + workshops are for students of all ages.
Registration is now open at https://bit.ly/SummerofJazzRegistration or call the Charleston Jazz Academy at 843.745.5908. Registration fee is $10 per lesson/workshop. All sessions are offered via Zoom with one of the Charleston Jazz Academy instructors. Lessons and workshops are offered on multiple dates and times from Monday, June 15, 2020 to Thursday, July 9, 2020.
INSTRUCTORS:
Stephan Tenney
Stephan Tenney, a graduate of Charleston School of the Arts and more recently Berklee College of Music, is a Charleston Native currently living in Boston. He's played trombone for over 13 years and toured internationally. His last project was the critically acclaimed album “Listen Up” with Ralph Peterson Jr., Leader of the Jazz Messenger Legacy. Stephan has also had the pleasure of playing with such great artists like Catherine Russell and Paquito D'Rivera. He is a student currently at the Manhattan School of Music in New York getting his Master's in Jazz Arts.
Robbie Madison
Robbie Madison, a native of Charleston, SC, is a local performing artist and educator. Currently, he sings with the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, is a worship leader with Seacoast Church, and also is a worship leader for the NFL Organization, primarily with the Houston Texans. Robbie received his Bachelor of Music Performance from Newberry College, and is currently studying to receive his Masters of Arts in Teaching and Conducting. He is passionate about performing various styles of music, but also loves to help and organize creative music projects with others.
Adam Prack
Adam Prack is a composer and trumpet player living in the greater Charleston, SC area. He has done work for wind ensembles, marching bands, video games, short film, commercial, electronic media, chamber ensembles, and electroacoustic performance. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from the University of South Carolina and is fluent in a variety of styles. He has played trumpet for over fifteen years and taught both trumpet and music theory/composition students since graduating college. He is married to the wonderful Meghan Prack and has three awesome sons!
Ryan Westberry
Ryan Westberry has served as a public-school music educator for more than twenty years. In this role, he has conducted bands and orchestras in middle schools, high schools, and universities, in addition to several community ensembles. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Furman University, as well as a Master of Music Education and an Educational Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina, where he served as a graduate assistant with the Carolina Bands. Dr. Westberry is a member of the National Association for Music Education, South Carolina Band Directors Association, American School Band Directors Association, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity.
VIRTUAL LESSONS + WORKSHOPS:
BLUES 101: Blues 101 is geared towards the beginning level musician wanting to learn more about improvising. Students will learn about the 12-bar blues and ways to improvise and better understand this style of music. Instructor: Stephan Tenney
Requirements: 1+ year(s) of school music program/private music lessons
Dates/Times: June 15 – 11am-12pm | June 18 – 11am-12pm | June 23 – 2pm-3pm | June 29 – 11am-12pm
BLUES 201: Blues 201 is geared towards the intermediate level musician wanting to learn more about improvising. Students will learn about the common variations of the 12-bar blues and ways to improvise and better understand this style of music. Instructor: Stephan Tenney
Requirements: 2+ years of school music program/private music lessons and fundamental/basic knowledge of the 12-bar blues form
Dates/Times: June 15 – 12:15pm-1:15pm | June 23 – 3:15pm-4:15pm | June 29 – 12:15pm-1:15pm
BLUES 301: Blues 301 is geared towards the advanced level musician wanting to learn more about improvising. Students will learn about chord substitutions and other advanced techniques to apply over the 12-bar blues. Instructor: Stephan Tenney
Requirements: 2+ years of school music program/private music lessons and familiar/intermediate knowledge of the 12-bar blues
Dates/Times: June 15 – 1:30pm-2:30pm | June 23 – 4:30pm-5:30pm | June 29 – 1:30pm-2:30pm
THEORY 1: Learn to Read Music – The Basics: Do you want to learn how to read music? Maybe it's been a few years since you've been in band, orchestra, or chorus. It doesn't matter if you've only learned “by ear” or never learned to read music at all – because this session is for everyone! This step-by-step guide to reading music notes and rhythms will provide great results! Sign up now! Instructor: Stephan Tenney
Requirements: No prior experience – open to all
Dates/Times: June 17 – 11am-12pm | July 1 – 2pm-3pm
THEORY 2: Introduction to Reading Chord Changes: This session is designed for any individual wanting to learn more about reading chord changes. Instructor: Stephan Tenney
Requirements: 1+ year(s) of school music program/private music lessons and/or basic knowledge of key signatures.
Dates/Times: June 17 – 12:15pm-1:15pm | July 1 – 3:15pm-4:15pm
THEORY 3: Chords – Extensions, Upper Structures and Substitutions: This session is designed for any individual wanting to learn more about chord extensions, common chord substitutions, and modes of scales/modal jazz. Instructor: Stephan Tenney
Requirements: 2+ years of school music program/private music lessons and fundamental/basic knowledge of different chord types (major, minor, augmented, diminished) and key signatures.
Dates/Times: June 17 – 1:30pm-2:30pm | July 1 – 4:30pm-5:30pm
TROMBONE MASTERCLASS – Beginner: This session is intended for the younger trombonist wanting to develop important skills such as tone, technique, intonation, and tempo. Instructor: Stephan Tenney
Requirements: 1+ year(s) of school music program/private music lessons on trombone
Dates/Times: June 22 – 12:30pm-1:30pm | June 30 – 11am-12pm
TROMBONE MASTERCLASS – Intermediate: This session is intended for the developing trombonist wanting to develop important skills such as tone, technique, intonation, and tempo. Instructor: Stephan Tenney
Requirements: 2+ years of school music program/private music lessons on trombone
Dates/Times: June 24 – 12:30pm-1:30pm
TRUMPET MASTERCLASS – Beginner: This session is intended for the younger trumpet player wanting to develop important skills such as tone, technique, intonation, and tempo. Instructor: Adam Prack
Requirements: 1+ year(s) of school music program/private music lessons on trumpet
Dates/Times: June 30 – 1pm-2pm | July 6 – 1pm-2pm
VOCAL WORKSHOP – Tips and Tricks for the Developing Vocalist: This session is designed for individuals of all ages. Topics will include: proper breathing, developing technique and dexterity, important warmups, and other exercises to maintain a healthy singing voice. Instructor: Robbie Madison
Requirements: No prior experience – open to all
Dates/Times: July 7 – 1pm-2pm | July 9 – 1pm-2pm
DAW WORKSHOP – Music Technology: Introduction to the Digital Work Station: This session is available to individuals of all ages. Throughout this session, students will learn about common Digital Audio Workstations (DAW)’s such as Ableton, Reaper, and Garage Band. Learn about the basics of these programs including how to record and edit music files. You do not need any of these programs installed on your own device to participate in this class. Instructor: Adam Prack
Requirements: No prior experience – open to all
Dates/Times: June 30 – 2:15pm-3:15pm | July 6 – 2:15pm-3:15pm
SAXOPHONE WORKSHOP – Intermediate: This session is intended for the developing saxophonist wanting to develop important skills such as tone, technique, intonation, and tempo. Instructor: Ryan Westberry
Requirements: 1+ year(s) of school music program/private music lessons on saxophone
Dates/Times: June 22 – 11am-12pm | June 25 – 11am-12pm
JAZZ HISTORY/LISTENING SESSION – 1940’s to 1970’s: This listening session highlights prominent jazz artists and styles from the 1940’s to the 1970’s. Instructor: Stephan Tenney
Requirements: No prior experience – open to all
Dates/Times: June 16 – 6pm-7pm | June 22 – 6pm-7pm
JAZZ HISTORY/LISTENING SESSION – 1970’s to present: This listening session highlights prominent jazz artists and styles from the 1970’s to Present. Instructor: Stephan Tenney
Requirements: No prior experience – open to all
Dates/Times: June 18 – 6pm-7pm | June 24 – 11am-12pm
About the Charleston Jazz Academy
The Charleston Jazz Academy brings together highly motivated students in a collaborative and challenging environment to expand their repertoire and nurture the skills of improvisation.
Inspired by the history and positive impact of the Jenkins Institute, the Charleston Jazz Academy was established in June 2017 to cultivate the next generation of jazz artists. With a variety of education and outreach programs (both at our physical location and in the community), we are excited to provide jazz music opportunities for students of all ages, all experience levels, and all backgrounds.
About Charleston Jazz
Charleston Jazz is a non-profit organization whose mission is to grow a local and global community for jazz through performance, education and outreach while celebrating and preserving Charleston's rich history in jazz. Established in 2008 as Jazz Artists of Charleston, the organization has earned a reputation for presenting, producing, and advocating for all things jazz and the artists who bring this music to life in dynamic ways. The organization manages the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, the Charleston Jazz Festival, and the Charleston Jazz Academy.
