jazz academy
Jazz Academy supports and fosters quality jazz education through in-school workshops, video lessons, ensemble experiences, and more in Omaha area middle schools. The program connects students and teachers to a professional teaching artist who tailors lessons to the needs and interests of each school.
Explore Jazz Academy opportunities
In-School Workshops
Starting in the Fall, teachers can request in-school workshops led by O-pa Teaching Artist, Shawn Bell. These clinics will cover a variety of topics relevant to jazz performance and education (e.g. improvisation, learning through listening, style). The focus of each clinic will be tailored to the needs/interests of each school.
Registration opens soon.
Middle School Ensemble
Each spring, the Middle School Ensemble provides seventh and eighth grade students from across the metro the opportunity to perform jazz in a small group setting where improvisation, playing together as a band, and learning through listening are the primary concepts. The ensemble will receive weekly coaching by Teaching Artist Shawn Bell, and will perform a final concert at the Holland Center to showcase the work they have done over the semester.
Registration opens soon.
Teacher Workshops
The teacher workshops will address common challenges that face music educators teaching Jazz in a large ensemble setting. Workshops will emphasize educators gaining direct experience through performance. Example topics include teaching improvisation, improving rhythm section instruction, and implementing Jazz specific rehearsal techniques.
Registration opens soon.
Meet Teaching Artist Shawn Bell
Trombonist Shawn Bell studied music and has traveled the world as a jazz musician. For the last decade, he’s been working as an in-demand educator to inspire the next generation of jazz artists. Along with private training for students of all levels, he’s taught large and small ensembles at Northern Illinois University and Lansing Community College.
O-pa Education Participant Release Form
Any student participating in an O-pa Education event must complete the Participant Release Form below. Students are only required to submit one release form for the current season.
Questions?
Contact Senior Manager of Education Taylor Wyatt at TWyatt@O-pa.org or 402.661.8559.
On-Demand Digital Lessons
Jazz Academy offers free, flexible, online jazz lessons for middle and high school students. Register to access pre-recorded lessons for each instrument led by local jazz artists. Each 15-minute video lesson focuses on a core jazz instrument and includes worksheets, listening examples, and other resources.
- Drum Set with David Hawkins
- Beginning Piano with Jennifer Novak Haar
- Intermediate Piano with Christopher Leach and Florencia Zuloaga
- Electric Bass with Jacob Sorensen and Paige Nola
- Upright Bass with Bobby Scharmann
- Guitar with Tetsuya Nishiyama
- Trombone with Shawn Bell
- Trumpet with Greg Simon
- Saxophone with Dr. Andrew Janak and Skye Junginger
Improvisation Lessons with Shawn Bell
Click the lesson name to watch on YouTube
Lesson 1: Rhythm
Lesson 2: Vocabulary
Lesson 3: Style
Lesson 4: Music Theory
Lesson 5: Transcription
Lesson 6: Practice Plan
Jazz Academy is sponsored by:
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa, Hearst Foundation, Inc., Iowa West Foundation, The John K. and Lynne D. Boyer Family Foundation, and The Rebensdorf Family Foundation.
