Jazz education
The Pikes Peak Jazz Society is dedicated to promoting and supporting jazz education throughout the Pikes Peak region. Through student programs, workshops, performances, and community partnerships, we strive to create opportunities for musicians of all ages to learn, grow, and experience the rich tradition of jazz. Our goal is to help keep jazz alive by connecting students, educators, professional musicians, and the community through meaningful educational experiences.
Jazz is more than music—it is creativity, collaboration, history, and expression. Supporting jazz education helps students develop confidence, discipline, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Educational Programs & Opportunities
Student Workshops
& Clinics
We support workshops and clinics where students learn directly from experienced jazz musicians through hands-on instruction, performance training, improvisation, and mentorship.
School & Community Partnerships
The Pikes Peak Jazz Society partners with local schools and community organizations to support jazz education through student resources, performances, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Guest Artists & Special Programs
Youth Performance Opportunities
Throughout the year, students and community members can learn from visiting jazz artists and professional performers through special educational programs and events.
We help student musicians gain live performance experience through opportunities to perform, collaborate, and build confidence on stage.
Tom Ross-Ray DeWitt Mentor Program
The Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society in-school education program is called the Tom Toss-Ray DeWitt Mentor Program, in honor of two local musicians who were great jazz teachers.
For K-5th students, Mark Raphael and Jerry Brown created the "Mark and Jerry Show." It was geared to the attention span of this age group and provided jazz instruction including call and response, how a trumpet works, who was Louis Armstrong, an original blues called "Green Eggs and Ham" (for Dr. Suess Day), notes of a scale and jazz standard "When The Saints Go Marching In," a bit of geography (a ukulele from Hawaii), and sing-a-longs with which they are familiar.
Jerry Brown's passing not only left a hole in our hearts, it also left a hole in our music for children.
And, while Jerry can certainly never be replaced, we hope to create a like-minded program for our young future jazz lovers in the future.
Bring the Mentor Program to Your School
Local professional jazz musicians and educator members of the Pikes Peak Jazz And Swing Society are pleased to offer their services to our area school jazz band programs.
Clinics can assume a number of different formats, including sectionals or full ensemble work - whatever we can do to help you and your students!
These programs are offered to area schools FREE of charge thanks to donations from Pikes Peak Jazz members. These funds pay the musicians a minimum fee for their time and travel.
For questions and/or to schedule a clinic at your school, contact:
Jack Yonce
Program Coordinator
The Maureen Otto Memorial Young Jazz Musician Grant Program
In honor of Maureen Otto's commitment to jazz education in the Pikes Peak region and her tireless work through the Pikes Peak Jazz Mentor Program, Maureen's children, Brad Otto and Maggie Kusch, created this grant program to reward outstanding high school jazz musicians, their band directors and school music programs in the Colorado Springs area.
Award criteria
GRANT DEADLINE: Fall of each year
QUALIFICATIONS: Must be selected into the Colorado Springs All City Jazz Ensemble
APPLICATION: Students must submit an essay to the aware committee that describes their passion for jazz, how they became interested and involved in performing jazz, and how they would use the grant to benefit their musical endeavors.
AWARD MONEY: Award money can be used for college tuition (for seniors), jazz camp tuition, lessons, music, equipment, instrument upgrades, or any other purpose related to their pursuit of musical excellence.
JUDGING PANEL: The award committee consists of Maureen Otto's children Brad Otto and Maggie Kusch, the PPJASS Mentor Program Coordinator, Jack Yonce and selected Pikes Peak Jazz board members.
Interested in Applying? Please reach out to:
NAME
TITLE
congrats to our previous recipients!
Grants were awarded as follows:
-
Joshua Briley, Student, Coronado HS $ 1,000 -
-
Charlie DeGrove, Student, Doherty HS $ 1,000
-
Kimberly Kincaid, Band Director $ 500, Coronado HS
-
Angelo Sapienza, Band Director $ 500; Doherty HS $ 500
Honorable Mention:
- Catherine Farrell, Student, Rampart HS $ 500
- Christian Baeck, Student, Cheyenne Mtn. HS $ 500
Grants were awarded at the All-City High School Jazz Ensemble Concert/Pine Creek High School on December 9, 2023.