Jazz & Contemporary Music

Jazz & Contemporary Music

Jazz & Contemporary Music

3 students playing Sax

The Conservatory’s new Jazz & Contemporary Music offerings will continue to preserve and share the unique heritage of American Jazz — a longstanding WCM tradition — while celebrating its proud heritage that is ever present in the music of today.

WHY JAZZ & CONTEMPORARY MUSIC?

Beginning and Advanced programs are also available for school-aged students who wish to get a more in-depth knowledge of jazz.

Beginning Middle & High School students can enroll in the Jazz Prep program, an entry point into developing their ears, building jazz feel, exploring tune knowledge & improvisation skills, and learning ensemble skills.

Advanced High School Jazz students may audition to enter the Conservatory’s Honors Jazz Institute, a a comprehensive, year-round experience that includes small ensembles, big band, jazz theory classes, private lessons, and summer jazz camp. Honors Jazz Institute students have the opportunity to work with visiting guest artists and to perform in the community.

JAZZ PREP PROGRAM HONORS JAZZ INSTITUTE 2022-23 SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION REQUIREMENTS


Jazz Students

From Jazz to the Music of Today

Jazz, at its core, is music of connection — to West African rhythms, to European-style brass bands, to work songs sung by enslaved peoples in the American South, and even to the structures found in classical music. Jazz musicians experience connection through improvisation, spontaneous composition, and understanding of a shared musical language.

What then does Contemporary Music add to the equation? Contemporary styles like rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, and salsa find their roots in Jazz music and also all share a keen ability to connect cultures and traditions from around the world. By fusing diverse styles, jazz & contemporary musicians create the music of “the now.”


Student playing the electric guitar

Make the Connection

Jazz & Contemporary Music are linked by their ability to fuse global cultures and traditions to create the music of “the now.” Here are just a few examples:

  • Jazz great Duke Ellington has claimed inspiration from the works of classical French composers such as Claude Debussy, and his influence can be heard in Ellington’s compositions from the swing era to his symphonic works.
  • Mississippi Delta Blues, one of the earliest styles of American blues music, served as key inspiration for the British Invasion bands of the 1960s.
  • Modern day hip-hop sampling allows individual artists to create “mash-ups” and shatter traditional genres through the use of music technology.

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playing the guitar

For ages 9 – 18

Jazz Prep Program

The Conservatory’s new Jazz Prep Program is the place for students to begin their journey into Jazz! Students will develop their ears, build jazz feel, explore tune knowledge & improvisation skills, and learn ensemble skills in a three-part package: combo, keyboard-centered concepts class, and private lesson.

Full and partial financial assistance available. Call 414-276-5760 or email info@wcmusic.org for more information.

CONTACT US


Jazz Camp 2020

Open To The Community By Audition

Jazz & Contemporary Music Scholarships

The Honors Jazz Institute is a comprehensive, year-round experience for high school students. The program includes small ensembles, big band, jazz theory classes, private lessons, and summer jazz camp. Students have the opportunity to work with visiting guest artists and to perform in the community. Admittance into the program is by audition.

Audition Dates: March 5, 2023

  • Entry Level | Auditions open to woodwind, brass, percussion, strings, bass, guitar, piano, and voice students currently in grades 8-11 (high school students in 2021-22)
  • Audition Material | Students will be expected to prepare all of the requirements as listed in the appropriate category. Time limit is 10 minutes.
  • Evaluation | Auditions will be judged on the following elements of musical performance: improvisation, accuracy, rhythm, time, technique, stylistic awareness, and harmonic skills. All judges’ decisions are final.

 

REGISTER ONLINE

HONORS JAZZ SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION REQUIREMENTS


Jazz & Contemporary Music Faculty

Meet Our Teachers

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Alec Burke

Education

  • Bachelor of Science, Instrumental/General Music Education | Ball State University
  • Master of Music, Trumpet Performance | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  • Performer’s Certificate (in progress) | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Background

  • Is on faculty as a brass instructor with several organizations in the Milwaukee area.
  • Served as the Muncie Symphony Orchestra’s Education Coordinator.
  • Performed as the 2017 Concerto Soloist with the Music for the Sake of Music Symphony Orchestra, a chamber musician for Classical Music Indy and the Muncie Symphony, and as a lead trumpet player for numerous musicals and shows across Central Indiana.
  • Has a breadth of experience teaching both in and out of the classroom including traditional public school ensembles, clinics and masterclasses, general music and PreK, and managing his own private studio.
  • Performs in his contemporary chamber ensemble Microcosm and with his acoustic pop duo Ekruteak with his fiancé, Jennifer Rodriguez.

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Marcya Daneille

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Voice Performance | Roosevelt University (Chicago Musical College)
  • Graduate Level Vocal Training | University of Iowa

Background

  • Joined the Vocal Arts faculty at the Conservatory in 2017.
  • Is a cross-genre singer that is classically trained, jazz influenced, and soul inspired.
  • Has taught private voice to students of all levels for thirty years, which includes more than a decade in New York.
  • Began her career singing career as a soprano and has sung with Lincoln Opera Chicago, the Lyric Theater of Illinois and the Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee.
  • Has gradually transitioned from singing classical music exclusively to performing an eclectic repertoire of music.
  • Has performed alongside a diverse group of critically acclaimed artists such as Simon Estes, Wycliffe Gordon, BeBe Winans, Vanessa Williams, Laurel Masse and Gerald Levert.

Aaron Gardner

Education

  • Berklee College of Music

Background

  • WCM faculty member since 2005.
  • Moved back to his roots in Milwaukee after 10 years of living in New York and touring and recording with the band ulu.
  • Has played and recorded with many bands and artists, including De La Buena, Choir Fight, Jamie Breiwick, Steve Peplin, The Static Chicken, Tristan Royalty Squad, The Extra Crispy Brass Band, The Soul Trio, The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and Eric Bennet.

Hannah Johnson

Education

  • Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Background

  • Joined the Conservatory faculty in January 2019.
  • Teaches and plays various styles of music on the drum set, specializing in jazz.
  • Plays with her modern jazz quartet in the Milwaukee area.
  • Featured as an instructor for the Vic Firth video series “Inside the Teaching Studio” entitled How to Sound Like Elvin Jones.
  • Has played with musicians such as Leni Stern, Ingrid Jensen, and Jamie Baum.
  • Enjoys teaching the bucket drumming and world percussion classes through the Conservatory Connections program, as well as private percussion lessons.

Johnny Padilla

Background

  • Johnny Padilla is currently leading his group in support of his recording “Bright Morning” on the BP Music label.
  • Johnny has been a touring musician for Jimmy Buffett, Mongo Santamaria and Angela Carrasco.
  • Since moving to Milwaukee, he has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
  • Johnny has been a featured artist for:
    •  “Jazz in Cutler Park” Waukesha, WI
    • “ Third Ward Jazz Festival” Milwaukee, WI
    • “Starry Nights” Wilson Center Brookfield, WI
    • The Towers Concert” Narragansett, RI
    • “Arts Concert” Vero Beach, FL
    • “The Miami Latin Jazz Festival” Miami, FL
    • “The Dade County Youth Fair” Miami, FL
    • “The Dade County Book Fair” Miami, FL
    • “Tropical Nights” Hollywood, FL
    • “Artwalk” Hollywood, FL
    • “Riverwalk Sunday Brunch” Ft. Lauderdale, FL
    • “The Hispanic Heritage Festival” Miami, FL;
    • “The Beaux Arts Festival of Art” Miami, FL
    • “The Art Council’s Concert” Key West, FL
    • Pleasure Island @ Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL.
  • Johnny has toured as a musician to the countries of Austria, The Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, England, France, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and throughout the United States of America.

Mitch Shiner

Chair, Jazz & Contemporary Music

Education

  • Bachelor of Music, Emphasis in Jazz Studies | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
  • Performer’s Certificate for Senior Recital

Background

  • WCM faculty member since 2016.
  • Began playing drums at age eight and has been studying percussion since age nine.
  • Co-leads tour-de-force fusion group, “Match Stick,” which released a self-titled album in 2019.
  • Released his debut CD, “FLY!”, in 2014, which invites listeners on a musical journey of original compositions and out-of-the-box arrangements for 20-piece big band.
  • Featured clinician for the 2015 Summerfest Big Band Camp, along with Curt Hanrahan and Mike Steinel.
  • Conducted masterclasses at UW-Parkside, University of Indianapolis, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Park Tudor School, and Nicolet High School.
  • Teaches percussion at several Milwaukee public schools through the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music’s Conservatory Connections program.

Rosemary McGee Walzer

Education

  • Bachelor of Music | Heidelberg University
  • Master of Music, Instrumental Conducting | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Background

  • Music educator and saxophonist Rosemary McGee Walzer is Director of the UWM Youth Jazz Ensemble, and Director of Bands at Maple Dale Elementary School.
  • During her time at UW-Milwaukee, she studied conducting with Dr. John Climer, saxophone with Curt Hanrahan, served as a graduate conducting associate with both the University Band and the Youth Wind Ensemble program, and assisted with the overall administration of the university band program.
  • Additionally, she served as music director for Pankratz Arts Exchange in Mount Calvary, WI for five seasons.
  • In addition to her regular teaching gigs, Rosemary has served as a guest lecturer, clinician, and music camp instructor.
  • Is a regular clinician with the Woody Herman Jazz Festival, and has been invited to work with many instrumental ensembles throughout Southeast Wisconsin.
  • As a performer, Rosemary was one of the winners of the Heidelberg University Concerto Competition in 2003, and received the Arthur Bean Award there in 2005.
  • Freelances in the Milwaukee area and has been in several instrumental ensembles, including the funk/soul band Montage, the East Side Jazz Orchestra, the Kicks Big Band, and the Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra.

Sam Winternheimer

Education

  • Bachelor Degree | Michigan State University
  • Master Degree, Jazz Studies | Florida State University

Background

  • Performs professionally in a wide variety of musical styles, as a leader and as a sideman, on upright bass and electric bass.
  • Studied with world- renowned bassist, Rodney Whitaker while at Michigan State University.
  • Studied classically with the Assistant Principal of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Robert Goodlett
  • Taught alongside Robert Goodlett at the Quattro String Academy in Indianapolis, IN.
  • Currently serves as the Bass Instructor at Eastern Illinois University.
  • As a seasoned teacher, enjoys working with students with experience ranging from beginners to professionals.

 

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Thank You

Supported by the City of Milwaukee Arts Board & the Wisconsin Arts Board

WCM Jazz Residencies in Schools are supported in part by a grant from the Milwaukee Arts Board and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin.