COLAJAZZ EDUCATION
Inspiring Creativity from the Classroom to the Bandstand.
Bring jazz to your school?
Master your instrument?
We have a program for you.
SCHOOL & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Jazz Appreciation, NOLA Traditions, Latin Jazz…
In-School Programs
Jazz for Kids! (Koger Center)…
Field Trips
Masterclasses and Sectionals…
Educator Support
The ColaJazz Standard
Every in-school experience includes:
Perfect Fit:
45–50 minute sessions fits standard class periods.
Teacher Toolkit:
Includes vocabulary, playlist, and discussion questions.
Age-Adaptable:
Language and complexity tailored for K–5, 6–8, or 9–12.
Pro Talent:
Led by top-tier professional musicians and educators.
IN-SCHOOL CONCERTS & Programs
JAZZ APPRECIATION
History, Civics & The Blues Our most popular program! A journey through American history and the power of collaboration.
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Led by a professional ColaJazz quintet, this 50-minute concert connects the dots between music, history, and life skills. It is fun, fast-paced, and designed to leave students inspired.
TAILORED FOR YOUR STUDENTS
We don't believe in "one size fits all." Our artists are expert educators who adjust the tone and complexity for your specific grade level:
For Elementary: We focus on storytelling, clapping rhythms, identifying instruments, and the joy of "musical conversations."
For Middle & High School: We dive deeper into the historical context of the Civil Rights movement, the mechanics of improvisation, and jazz as a metaphor for democracy.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
🇺🇸 History & Heritage: We trace the story of America—from the Great Migration to the present—spotlighting South Carolina icons like Dizzy Gillespie to instill local pride.
🤝 Teamwork & Democracy: We use the bandstand to demonstrate how a community works. Students see that whether you are playing a solo or supporting the rhythm section, you have to listen to others to create something beautiful.
😊 Resilience (SEL): We teach the "Blues" not just as a musical style, but as a life tool—showing students how music helps us process emotions and turn sadness into optimism.
🎒 Teacher Toolkit: We provide a simple guide with vocabulary and discussion questions to help you prep your class before we arrive.
LATIN JAZZ
Rhythms of the Americas A high-energy fusion of Afro-Cuban beats and American Jazz that gets students moving.
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Rhythm is the heartbeat of music. Our Latin Jazz program introduces students to the exciting fusion of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and American traditions. It’s an irresistible musical journey that gets students listening, learning, and moving.
Led by a specialist Latin Jazz ensemble, this interactive concert explores how different cultures met, mixed, and created a brand new sound. It is a perfect way to celebrate diversity and the power of musical collaboration.
TAILORED FOR YOUR STUDENTS
Our educators are experts at reading the room and adapting the experience for any age group:
For Elementary: We focus on the "ingredients" of the music—identifying unique percussion instruments, clapping the "Clave" rhythm, and learning how music travels from country to country.
For Middle & High School: We dive into the history of cultural exchange, the specific fusion of harmonic structures with polyrhythms, and the geography of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
🌎 Cultural Exchange: We show how Jazz (USA) shook hands with the rhythms of Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean. It’s a powerful lesson in how diversity drives innovation.
🥁 The Science of Rhythm: Students learn about the Clave—the rhythmic "key" that unlocks Latin music. We demonstrate how different patterns lock together to create a groove (polyrhythms).
🎺 Instruments & Storytelling: Beyond the saxophone and trumpet, students are introduced to culturally specific percussion like congas, bongos, and timbales, learning the stories behind these instruments.
🤝 Collaboration in Action: Just like in our Swing programs, we demonstrate how musicians from different backgrounds communicate non-verbally to create a unified sound.
NEW ORLEANS TRADITIONS
The Birthplace of Jazz Join the parade! The Soda City Brass Band brings the street beat of the "Big Easy" to your school.
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Jazz didn’t start in a concert hall; it started in the streets. Our New Orleans Traditions program brings the infectious energy of the "Big Easy" right to your school. Featuring the Soda City Brass Band, this 6-piece ensemble shows students where jazz came from and why it is the ultimate American art form.
We explore the vibrant "musical gumbo" of New Orleans—a city where African, Caribbean, and European traditions blended to create a sound that changed the world.
TAILORED FOR YOUR STUDENTS
We adapt the volume, history, and complexity to suit your grade level:
For Elementary: It’s a party! We focus on the joy of the "Second Line" parade, introduce the giant Sousaphone (tuba), and get kids moving to the street beat.
For Middle & High School: We analyze the unique cultural conditions of New Orleans (Congo Square) that allowed jazz to form. We demonstrate "collective improvisation"—the early jazz style where everyone solos together in harmony.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
⚜️ The Musical Melting Pot: We demonstrate how the rhythms of Africa and the Caribbean collided with European military marches to create the very first jazz rhythms.
🎺 The Brass Band Experience: Students experience the raw power of an acoustic brass band. We break down the unique role of each instrument, from the driving snare drum to the melodic trumpet.
🎭 Celebration & Tradition: We explore the cultural significance of New Orleans music, explaining how it is used to mark everything from community celebrations to jazz funerals ("cutting the body loose").
🔊 Collective Improvisation: Unlike modern jazz where musicians take turns, we show how early jazz relied on the whole band creating melodies simultaneously—a perfect lesson in listening and cooperation.
BIG BAND
The "Little Big Band" That Could Experience the power of the Swing Era—the music that defined 1930s & 40s America.
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The music that moved a nation.
Step back in time to the 1930s and 40s—the era when Jazz was the pop music of America. Presented by the ColaJazz Little Big Band: The Band That Could!, this program packs the punch of a full orchestra into a compact, high-energy ensemble.
We explore the "Swing Era," a pivotal moment in history when big brass sections and driving rhythms got the whole country on its feet. It’s a lesson in power, precision, and the cultural force that brought divided communities together.
TAILORED FOR YOUR STUDENTS
We adjust the volume and the vocabulary to fit your audience:
For Elementary: We introduce "The Band That Could"—showing how a smaller group can make a huge sound by working together. We explore the instrument families (Brass, Woodwinds, Rhythm) and get kids clapping to the swing beat.
For Middle & High School: We treat this as a study of American culture during the Great Depression and WWII. We discuss how Swing music began breaking down racial barriers in ballrooms and on the radio long before legislation caught up.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
🎷 The Wall of Sound: Students experience the thrill of live brass and woodwinds locking in together. We demonstrate how different sections call and response to create the classic "Big Band" roar.
🚧 Breaking Barriers: Swing wasn't just music; it was a social movement. We highlight how jazz played a role in integrating audiences and musicians during a segregated time in American history.
💃 Dance & Culture: You can’t have the music without the movement. We explore how Swing influenced American dance styles (like the Lindy Hop) and shaped the pop culture landscape for decades to come.
🇺🇸 Historical Context: We frame the music within the timeline of the 1930s and 40s, showing students what the world sounded like during one of America’s most transformative eras.
JAZZ FOR KIDS! FIELD TRIP
The Ultimate Arts Experience A multimedia spectacular at the Koger Center combining music, dance, and history.
🎭 The "Big Stage" Experience: Hosted at major performing arts centers for a true theater atmosphere.
💃 5-in-1 Curriculum: Combines Music, Singing, Dance, History, and Art into one show.
🤸 Interactive & Active: Kids don't just sit—they learn, they participate.
MASTERCLASSES, LESSONS & more!
Need specialized support for your jazz band?
We offer sectionals, audition prep, private lessons, and educator workshops & support.
COMBOS, CLASSES, LESSONS & CAMPS
We offer beginner, advanced and Latin combos. These weekly ensemble sessions elevates your skills culminating in a public performance.
JAZZ COMBOS
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Get Off the Sidelines and On the Bandstand.
Have you been practicing alone in your living room? It’s time to share the music. The ColaJazz Academy offers 10-week semester courses designed to transform you from a solo practicer into a confident ensemble player.
Whether you haven't touched your horn in 20 years or you are an active player looking to refine your improvisation, we have a spot for you. We curate our combos with level-appropriate placements in mind, ensuring you are learning alongside musicians at a similar stage in their journey.
THE EXPERIENCE Led by accomplished jazz professionals who make their living on the stage, these weekly 2-hour sessions are supportive, engaging, and focused on real-world performance skills.
The Semester: 10 weeks of guided instruction (Offered Spring & Fall).
The Finale: The semester culminates in a Grand Finale Public Concert, giving you the thrill of performing live for friends and family.
The Vibe: A "no-judgment" zone where mistakes are just part of the learning process.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Repertoire: Learn and perform classic jazz standards.
Improvisation: Move beyond the page using triads, chord tones, and ear training.
Interaction: Learn the "language" of the bandstand—how to trade fours, read roadmaps, and lock in with the rhythm section.
PREREQUISITES (Is this for me?) To ensure everyone enjoys the ensemble, you should have:
✅ Basic music reading ability.
✅ Familiarity with the notes on your instrument.
✅ Basic knowledge of major/minor scales and chords.
A unique series of classes and workshops taught by authorities in Jazz. Classes range from theory, history, arranging, business, styles, and more!
JAZZ CLASSES
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Deep dives into the mechanics of jazz.
While our Combos focus on playing in a band, our Specialized Classes focus on understanding the music. Throughout the year, ColaJazz offers rotating short courses and workshops designed to tackle specific subjects—from the math of harmony to the art of the solo.
Taught by world-class artists (including renowned figures like Amos Hoffman, Dr. Mitch Butler, Nicholas Vlandis, et al.), these courses are perfect for musicians who want to fill in the gaps in their knowledge or master a specific technique without the pressure of a final concert performance.
RECENT & RECURRING TOPICS Because our curriculum evolves, there is always something new to learn:
Jazz Foundations & Theory: Unlock the mysteries of the fretboard and keyboard. Learn how chords are built, how scales fit over them, and the "rules" of harmony.
The Art of Improvisation: Move beyond "running scales." Learn how to construct a melody, tell a story with your solo, and develop your own musical voice.
Styles & History: Explore specific eras or genres, breaking down the techniques of icons like Charlie Parker or Thelonious Monk.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
The "By-Ear" Player: Who wants to finally understand the theory behind what they play.
The Classical Musician: Who wants to crossover into jazz but needs help with rhythm and improv.
The Lifelong Learner: Who simply loves music and wants to keep growing.
Enjoy large ensembles, small combos, jazz theory, improvisation, and a variety of electives like business, marketing and social media.
SUMMER CAMPS
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The Highlight of Your Musical Year
Since 2016, the ColaJazz Summer Camps have been a transformative experience for musicians of all ages. This isn't just band practice; it’s a 4-day deep dive into the art, history, and business of jazz.
Whether you are a high school student looking to level up for college auditions or an adult looking to reconnect with your instrument, our camps offer a supportive, high-energy environment where you can find your sound.
TWO DISTINCT CAMPS
Youth Camp (Middle & High School): A fun, fast-paced week where young musicians meet peers from across the state. We focus on building confidence, improving improvisation, and learning how to communicate on the bandstand.
Adult Camp (The "Jazz Cats"): A focused, camaraderie-filled weekend for adult learners. Whether you are a hobbyist or a semi-pro, you’ll work in combos and big bands to refine your chops in a stress-free environment.
MORE THAN JUST NOTES
We believe in holistic music education. Our curriculum goes beyond the practice room to include unique electives that prepare you for the real world:The Business of Music: Workshops on marketing, budgeting, and social media for musicians.
Masterclasses: Intimate sessions with visiting guest artists.
The Grand Finale: Every camp concludes with a public concert where you show off what you’ve learned.
The Eboni Ramm Music Scholarship
Removing Barriers to Education
Honoring the legacy of a beloved educator by providing private instruction to musicians.
Covers tuition for private lessons, summer camps, or Academy classes.
Provides funding to bring professional Teaching Artists into your classroom.
Made possible by the SLW Charitable Fund in memory of Eboni Ramm.
SOUTH CAROLINA'S LEADER IN JAZZ EDUCATION
We are dedicated to the future of jazz. Last year, we delivered 60+ programs and employed dozens of local artists to inspire the next generation. Partner with us to bring professional, high-impact music education to your school or venue.
SAM EDWARDS
Director of Jazz Ed & Outreach Coordinator
Email: sam@colajazz.com
Office Phone: 1-803-683-7150
ON-AIR with SC PUBLIC RADIO & COLAJAZZ
ColaJazz Presents
A Deep Dive into the SC Jazz Scene If Rapp on Jazz is the appetizer, ColaJazz Presents is the main course. Airing Sunday nights from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, this weekly one-hour program offers an intimate look at the vibrant jazz ecosystem in South Carolina. The show features exclusive recordings of live performances—often from the popular "Live in the Lobby" series at the Koger Center for the Arts—paired with deep-dive interviews. Listeners get a front-row seat to the artistry of top local musicians, hearing not just their music, but the personal stories and inspirations behind the notes.
SC Public Radio Landing Page: ColaJazz Presents
Rapp on Jazz
The "Jazz Minute" for Your Daily Commute Rapp on Jazz is a high-energy, bite-sized daily dose of jazz history and culture. Hosted by Mark Rapp, these 60-second segments are perfect for listeners who want to learn something new without a major time commitment. The show shines a spotlight on the Palmetto State’s deep connection to the genre—celebrating legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Eartha Kitt—while also exploring the stories behind the music.
SC Public Radio Landing Page: Rapp on Jazz
Total Episodes Available: Over 200 episodes (and counting daily).
Subscribe to the Podcast:
Apple Podcasts: Listen on Apple
RSS Feed: Direct RSS Link
Spotify & Amazon: Accessible directly via the "Subscribe" buttons on the main show page.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
A comprehensive digital library for musicians and educators, featuring curated links to essential tools like free Real Book PDFs, backing tracks, and video masterclasses. This hub provides everything needed to support jazz study in the practice room and the classroom.
