Jazz Education Network 2024 Conference

Welcome! We are thrilled to join the Jazz Education Network (JEN) in presenting its 2024 Conference at the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans! 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 Product Showcases

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.

“The Intersection of Pedagogy and Performance in Today’s World”

Join John Wittmann, Associate Vice President of Artist Relations for Yamaha Corporation of America, as he leads a panel discussion with Yamaha Performing Artists Ronald McCurdy, Jeff Coffin, Allison Miller and Steve Wilson about the intersection of pedagogy and performance. 

• Friday, January 6
• 4:00 – 4:50 p.m.
• Clinic Room #5 / Harmony

Come by the Yamaha booth (#505) to meet, talk to and even participate in jam sessions with the Yamaha Performing Artists listed below:

Friday, January 6, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

• John C. O’Leary III

Friday, January 6, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

• Michael Dease
• Ron McCurdy
• Jeff Coffin

Saturday, January 7, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

• Michael Dease
• Allison Miller

Wednesday, January 4

• 10:15 – 11:00 a.m. — Steve Wilson, Jack Wilkins, Tom Brantley, “Chuck Owen and the Jazz Stage” (Inspiration Stage / National Ballroom)

Thursday, January 5

• 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. — Jeff Coffin, “The Sax Loft” (Clinic Room #4 / Kissimmee)
• 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. — Caleb Chapman, “Selling Out Without Selling Out: Performance Skills for Jazz Artists and Educators” (Clinic Room #1 / Allendale)
• 12:00 – 12:50 p.m. — Mike Steinel, Mike Steinel Quintet featuring Rosana Eckert (New Voice Stage / International Ballroom III) 
• 3:00 – 3:50 p.m. — Allison Miller, Allison Miller and Carmen Staaf Duo (LeJENds Stage / Championsgate)
• 3:00 – 3:50 p.m. — Jeff Coffin, “Connecting the Dots” (Clinic Room #2 / Poinciana)
• 4:00 – 4:50 p.m. — Rudresh Manhathappa, “Advanced Concepts in Jazz Improvisation: Creating Fresh Vocabluary” (Clinic Room #3 / Heritage Park)
• 4:00 – 4:50 p.m. — Ron McCurdy, “Babies Gonna Need Some Shoes: Mounting and Sustaining a Career in the Arts in a Post-COVID Landscape” Brasuka (Clinic Room #5 / St. Cloud)

Friday, January 6

• 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. — Caleb Chapman, Caleb Chapman’s Soundhouse The Inevitables (JJF) (Augusta)
• 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. — Mike Steinel, “Finding the Organic Path to Successful Improvisation” (Clinic Room #1 / Allendale)
• 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. — Ryan Middagh, Vanderbilt Latin Jazz Ensemble (Conservatory Stage / Celebration)
• 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. — Caleb Chapman, Caleb Chapman’s Soundhouse Time Check Jazz Orchestra (JJF) (Augusta)
• 12:00 – 12:50 p.m. — Frank Catalano, Frank Catalano Saxtet (LeJENds Stage / Championsgate)
• 1:00 – 1:50 p.m. — John C. O’Leary III, “Nina On My Mind and I’m Feeling Good, Celebrating the Music and Sensibility of Miss Nina Simone (New Voices Stage / International Ballroom III)
• 1:00 – 1:50 p.m. — Jeff Coffin, Ryan Middagh, Socrates Garcia Latin Jazz Orchestra (Inspirations Stage / National Ballroom)
• 5:00 – 5:50 p.m. — Victor Mendoza, “Contemporary Latin Jazz Guitar” (Clinic Room #3 / Heritage Park)
• 7:45 – 8:45 p.m. — Jeff Rupert, BENEFIT CONCERT: The Flying Horse Big Band (University of Central Florida) with George Garzone, Clarence Penn (Inspirations Stage / National Ballroom)
• 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. — Jeff Coffin, Band of Other Brothers (LeJENds Stage / Championsgate)

Saturday, January 7

• 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. — Michael Dease, “A Conversation with the Marsalis Award Recipient Michael Dease” (Clinic Room #7 / Partin)
• 1:00 – 1:50 p.m. — Jeff Rupert, Lyman Brodie, “Partnerships are for All of Us! Successful Collaboration Between Educators, Broadcasters and Artists” (WUCF, FM and UCF Jazz Studies) (Clinic Room #6 / Harmony)

Through the Yamaha Educator Suite blog site and SupportED magazine, Yamaha reaches thousands of educators with professional development tips, advice and resources. If you have questions or need help finding resources for your program, email us at educators@yamaha.com.

Here is a sampling of our top professional development articles:

• Celebrating Excellence in Music Education — “40 Under 40”
• Case Study: 4 Ways to Elevate Your Jazz Program
• Refueling for the Educator’s Soul
• 10 Ways to Make Your Students’ Day
• Develop Atomic Habits for Your Program
• Teaching Music in High Need Schools: Building Rapport
• The ABCs of Classroom Management
• Case Study: “Lean into Change” is the Driving Force Behind the SEMO Jazz Program
• Caring Comes in Many Forms
• Quick Start Guide to Dorico
• Incorporate Jazz Into Your Classroom Daily
• Setting up Jazz Figures on the Drumset
• The Power of Words: The Enduring Effects of Arrows and Songs
• How a Classical Musician Directed a Jazz Band 
  
• Case Study: Crafting a Jazz Studies Program
• Delayed Gratification: When Students Get Tired, Teach Them to Rest, Not Quit
• How to Deal with Common Stressors
• The Yamaha Master Educator Collective: Learn from Distinguished Teachers