the jazz project

The Jazz Project is the arm of our organization that focuses on the skills and techniques needed to perform America’s music—Jazz. It is made up of several small ensembles or combos. Currently, there are three ensembles based in Santa Fe and six ensembles based in Los Alamos. 

SANTA FE
All classes held on Thursdays, 5:30 to 7:00 PM / New Mexico School for the Arts

• ATALAYA ENSEMBLE
  6-8 students of similar age and ability meet with instructor Jesse Parker on Thursdays from 5:30-7 PM at the New Mexico School for the Arts. Students selected for this group must follow our Standard Audition Process.
• TESUQUE ENSEMBLE
  6-8 students of similar age and ability meet with instructor Robbie Beasley on Thursdays from 5:30-7 PM at the New Mexico School for the Arts. Students selected for this group must follow our Standard Audition Process.
• NAMBE ENSEMBLE
  6-8 students of similar age and ability meet with instructor Jeremy Bleich on Thursdays from 5:30 to 700 PM at the New Mexico School for the Arts. Students selected for this group must follow our Standard Audition Process.

LOS ALAMOS

TUESDAY CLASSES / Start at 4:00 PM or 5:30 PM / Classes held at Los Alamos High School

• PAJARITO COMBO
  Tuesdays  4 to 5:30 /  6 to 8 students of similar age and ability meet with instructor Xander Mancino on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at Los Alamos High School. Students selected for this group must follow our Standard Audition Process.
• POTRILLO COMBO
  Tuesdays 4 to 530 PM  /  6 to 8 students of similar age and ability meet with instructor William Finn at Los Alamos High School. Students selected for this group must follow our Standard Audition Process.
• GUAJE COMBO
  Tuesdays 5:3 to -7:00 PM  / 6 to 8 students of similar age and ability meet with instructor William Finn on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 700 PM at Los Alamos High School. Students selected for this group must follow our Standard Audition Process.
• CAPULIN COMBO / Tuesdays 5:30 to 700 PM / 6-8 students of similar age and ability meet with instructor Ryan Finn on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Los Alamos High School. Students selected for this group must follow our Standard Audition Process.

LOS ALAMOS

THURSDAY CLASSES / Start at 4:30 or 6:00 PM / Classes held at Los Alamos High School

• CALDERA COMBO
  Thursdays 4:30 to 6 PM / 6 to 8 students of similar age and ability meet with instructor William Finn on Tuesdays at Los Alamos High School. Students selected for this group must follow our Standard Audition Process. 
• RENDIJA COMBO—Thursdays 4:30 to 6:00 PM / 6 to 8 students of similar age and ability meet with instructor Xander Mancino at Los Alamos High School. Students selected for this group must follow our Standard Audition Process. 
• QUEMAZON SEPTET — Thursdays 7:00 to 9:00 PM  / Los Alamos HS — 6-8 students of similar age and ability meet with instructor Xander Mancino at Los Alamos High School. Students selected for this group must follow our Special Audition Process, as the group is considered “a semi-professional, gigging ensemble.”

AUDITION PROCESS 

All new students are required to perform a short audition for The Jazz Project staff for placement into an ensemble. Students who are returning to The Jazz Project are welcome to register without an audition.

Top Ensemble: Regardless of whether you are a new or a returning student, if you wish to try out for being placed in the top ensemble, Quemazon Jazz Combo, please sign up for an audition. Once you have auditioned, you’ll hear from our Jazz Director about placement. with the next steps.

Jazz Combos: We need to see who is registered before creating combos. If you plan to be in The Jazz Project—Los Alamos, please register as soon as possible. You will be contacted prior to the first rehearsal with details about which ensemble you’ve been placed in, and what your rehearsal time will be. All rehearsal times are listed below under Calendar:

Tuition for The Jazz Project (Los Alamos and Santa Fe) is $600-$700/year. There are family discounts, multiple ensemble discounts, and a sliding scale for those families in need of assistance.