Jazz Education Network 2025 Conference

Welcome! We are thrilled to join the Jazz Education Network (JEN) in presenting its 2025 Conference in Atlanta. We applaud how JEN members embrace an improvisational spirit as you map out innovative and trailblazing ways to engage and educate your students. Thank you!

The JEN conference gives us an opportunity to connect with all of you and to remind you that Yamaha is your partner in music education, not just through our great instruments and professional audio products but also with resources, support and professional development.

See our Yamaha Performing Artists’ Clinics and Presentations

We want to express our appreciation and gratitude for everyone involved in making this conference possible. We want to hear about your programs and learn about you and your specific needs to see how Yamaha can partner with you to help.

Stop by our booth to say hello and check out our newest products. We’re eager to talk with you about your needs as a performer or educator. 

If you need help or have additional questions, please feel free to reach out directly to us at educators@yamaha.com. Sign up for the Yamaha Educator newsletter to access advocacy, professional development, information on instruments, resources, partnerships in education and more.

“Consider a Career in Music“

Join moderator Natalie Morrison, Senior Marketing Specialist for Education for Yamaha, and a panel of experts who will share insights into the various career paths available in the music industry.  

• Thursday, January 9
• 9:00-10:00 a.m.
• Hanover A-B

“The Power of Taking Chances: Embracing Vulnerability and Change“

Join moderator John Wittmann, Associate VP of Artist Relations for Yamaha, and an all-star panel of Yamaha Performing Artists — Sherrie Maricle, Bethany Robinson, Wayne Bergeron and Michael Dease — who will share how they took BIG chances, turned things upside down and put their vulnerability out there. Their stories will leave you inspired and encouraged to take your own chances.

• Friday, January 10
• 5:00-5:50 p.m.
• Hanover A-B

Come by the Yamaha booth (#509) to meet, talk to and even participate in jam sessions with Yamaha Performing Artists:

Friday, January 10, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

• Allison Miller
• Bethany Robinson

Friday, January 10, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

• Rex Richardson

Saturday, January 11, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

• Chris Glassman
• Ryan Middagh

Saturday, January 11, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

• Sherrie Maricle
• Jeff Coffin

Wednesday, January 8

• 8:10-9:00 p.m. — Laila Biali (piano) and Jeff Coffin (saxophone), concert (Inspirations/Centenial Ballroom)

Thursday, January 9

• 10:00-10:50 a.m. — Mike Steinel (trumpet), “Teaching Jazz – The Gateway to Fundamentals” (Vinings)
• 10:30-11:30 a.m. — Caleb Chapman (saxophone), The Inevitables (Inman)
• 12:00-12:50 p.m. — Adam Schroeder (saxophone), Adam Schroeder Ensemble celebrates the music of Clark Terry (Inspirations/Centenial Ballroom)
• 12:00-12:50 p.m. — Anjan Shah (saxophone), “Syncopating Technology: Leveraging AI Tools for Jazz Marketing” (Hanover F-G)
• 1:00-1:50 p.m. — Caleb Chapman (saxophone), Caleb Chapman’s Little Big Band with Ron Blake (Visions/Regency Ballroom VII)
• 3:00-3:50 p.m. — Ryan Middagh (saxophone), Jeff Coffin (saxophone), Blair Big Band (Visions/Regency Ballroom VII)
• 3:00-3:50 p.m. — Sherrie Maricle (drums), Leigh Pilzer‘s Seven Pointed Star (LeJENds/Regency Ballroom V)
• 3:00-4:00 p.m. — Dave Camwell (saxophone), Troy University Jazz Ensemble (Dunwoody)
• 4:00-4:50 p.m. — Allison Miller (drums),”Tap Dance is Percussion – A Demonstration and Discussion with Brinae Ali and Allison Miller” (Chicago)
• 10:10-11:00 p.m. — Richard Johnson (jazz piano), Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra (Inspirations/Centenial Ballroom)

Friday, January 10

• 11:00-11:50 a.m. —  Ryan Middagh (saxophone), “Herding Cats: A Playbook for Today’s Big Band Leader” (Hanover A-B)
• 11:00-11:50 a.m. — Mike Steinel (trumpet), “The Poetics of Jazz Improvisation” (Chicago)
• 12:00-12:50 p.m. — Sherrie Maricle (drums), “Elevate Your Rhythm Section Through Creative, Responsive Interaction” (Embassy Hall C-D)
• 2:00-2:50 p.m. — Caleb Chapman (saxophone), “Giant Steps to Soloing” (Embassy Hall C-D)
• 9:10-10:00 p.m. — Jeff Coffin (saxophone), The Sax Loft (Inspirations/Centenial Ballroom)

Saturday, January 11

• 9:00-10:00 a.m. — Mike Steinel (trumpet), Reading Session: New Music Instrumental Big Band (Inspirations/Centenial Ballroom)
• 12:00-12:50 p.m. — Sherrie Maricle (drums), “JJE Session: Drum set – Brush-Up FUNdamentals” (Embassy Hall C-D)
• 1:00-1:50 p.m. — various, Sisters in Jazz (LeJENds/Regency Ballroom V)
• 1:00-1:50 p.m. — Jeff Coffin (saxophone), “What’s the Point?”(Hanover F-G)
• 2:00-2:50 p.m. — John Riley (Drums), Alex Heitlinger Jazz Orchestra with John Fedchock, John Riley (Inspirations/Centenial Ballroom)
• 2:00-3:00 p.m. — Ryan Middagh (saxophone),  Young Composer Showcase (Hanover C-D)
• 4:00-4:50 p.m. — Ryan Middagh (saxophone), Mike Tomaro (saxophone), Sam Blakeslee Large Group (Visions/Regency Ballroom VII)
• 5:00-5:50 p.m. — Rex Richardson (trumpet), “Healthy Chops For Brass Players: Revisiting Fundamentals” (Hanover F-G)
• 6:00-6:50 p.m. — Michael Dease (trombone), New World School of the Arts High School Jazz Combo with Michael Dease (LeJENds/Regency Ballroom V)
• 6:00-6:50 p.m. — Wayne Bergeron (trumpet), Jeff Coffin (saxophone), Zaremba Jazz Fellowship with Wayne Bergeron (Visions/Regency Ballroom VII)
• 10:10-11:00 p.m. — Allison Miller (drums), Allison Miller with the One O’Clock Lab Band (Inspirations/Centenial Ballroom)

For a full list of clinics, sessions and performances, check the JEN website.