Jazz Artist in Residence Program
Bring a Professional Jazz Artist to Your Band Room ColaJazz is offering a fully funded, four-week Jazz Artist-in-Residence Program to three eligible middle and high schools in the Columbia public school district.
We bring professional local jazz musicians directly into your classroom to provide specialized sectional rehearsals, audition coaching, and competition preparation. This program is designed to bridge the gap in school music budgets by supplementing your curriculum with high-quality, personalized instruction from working artists—at NO COST to your program.
What the Residency Includes:
Flexible Instruction: Four artist-led sessions scheduled over a four-week period (consecutive or non-consecutive to fit your calendar).
Expert Coaching: Hands-on help rehearsing ensembles, selecting repertoire, and demonstrating authentic jazz styles and listening techniques.
Audition & Competition Prep: Individualized guidance to prepare your students for All-State auditions, competitions, and future college scholarship opportunities.
Jazz History: Immersive education on the rich history of jazz and its most influential artists.
Lasting Resources: Visiting artists will leave you with specialized instructional materials, practice techniques, and rehearsal strategies to keep your program growing long after the residency ends.
Who is Eligible? This program is open to underserved middle and high schools in Columbia’s public school district. Whether you are launching a newly formed jazz band or pushing a developing group to the next level, our artists will partner closely with you to increase your students' proficiency, confidence, and ensemble performance skills.
