Jazz
MacPhail Center for Music is proud to offer students exploration of the great Black American art-form, jazz.
MacPhail’s jazz faculty provides a comprehensive, explorative jazz curriculum that spans the great traditions of the past to the innovative developments of the present. The program gives students different opportunities and enhances the presence and quality of jazz performance in the MacPhail community.
Jazz offerings include: individual lessons, ensembles, combos, summer camps, school partnerships, performances, master classes, and jam sessions.
Class Offerings
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Singer’s Jam Session for Adults – Fall Semester
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Improvisation Ensemble (age 16+) – FALL Semester
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Adult Jazz Combos – Minneapolis – FALL
Individual Lessons
Jazz Combos & Ensembles
The Dakota Ensemble – An Elite Instrumental Jazz Combo
A unique performance ensemble experience for advanced youth musicians led by guitarist and composer Zacc Harris, offering students the chance to develop their skills in a professional-level small group setting. Members explore a wide range of jazz repertoire, refine improvisational and ensemble techniques, and perform at leading venues including the Dakota Jazz Club. Participation is tuition-free, providing an exceptional opportunity for talented students to grow artistically, collaborate at a high level, and connect with the vibrant Twin Cities jazz community.
Accepting auditions for all standard jazz instruments this fall.
- Pre-recorded video auditions can be submitted through the application form
- For the audition, please submit 2–3 selections demonstrating a few different styles, such as swing, Latin or bossa nova, and funk or straight-eighth. Jazz standards are recommended, but the specific tunes are entirely up to the applicant. Depending on the instrument, the audition can include comping, soloing, or a combination of both. Selections may be performed with a prerecorded backing track or with live musicians.
- Audition applications are due Friday, October 9, 2026
Jazz Combos
MacPhail creates unique Jazz combos for interested students for every skill level and age. 2 years of prior playing experience or lessons is required. To get started, submit an interest form and we’ll reach out about combo placement.
Improvisation Ensemble
Led by local artist Brandon Wozniak, this collaborative ensemble for advanced adult and teen musicians allows participants to improvisation through playing diverse jazz and contemporary repertoire, develop essential listening and interaction skills, and shape unique musical interpretations together.
Meet MacPhail's Jazz Faculty
Greg Byers
Greg Keel
Craig Anderson
School Partnerships
Jazz sessions led by MacPhail teaching artists will become a significant offering for students in schools throughout Greater Minnesota utilizing MacPhail Online School Partnership program. Jazz is a vital component of OSP assisting music educators in Greater Minnesota whose it greatly limited.
MacPhail is pleased to announce a new partnership with Minnesota Youth Jazz bands. MacPhail is the host site for rehearsals and concerts.