Brief Description of Jazz Elite:

Jazz Elite, is a conglomerate jazz program in Westchester County that is open to all middle school through college level students in the Tri-State area. Conductor, Iantheia Calhoun founded Jazz Elite in 2003 at the Theodore D. Young Community Center to provide advanced-level training for young thriving jazz musicians. The program is designed to challenge student’s aural, sight-reading, and improvisational skills, while providing a relaxing, and fun learning environment.

Jazz Elite has a unique and exciting developmental mentoring program. Collaborations with professional musicians, and college jazz and/or music education majors are designed to support student development in the field of jazz. Through Jazz Elite’s mentoring program college mentors hold sectionals with Jazz Elite students as well as give student’s individualized assistance. During their sectionals, students share musical ideas, practice techniques, and playing experiences with one another. Also throughout the year workshops are provided with various professional jazz musicians to assist the entire ensemble.

Jazz Elite students perform at local community events, festivals/competitions, and students record audition CD’s for national competitions. Jazz Elite has participated in the Regional Ellington Festival in Greenwich, CT and other conglomerate festivals such as the Next Generation Festival, in California, and the Mingus Festival at Manhattan School of Music in New York City. In addition to festival performances, Jazz Elite host two to three concert series of their own with world-renowned jazz artists and educators throughout the school year. Their ‘A Night of Jazz’ Concert Series are motivational and educational evenings for both the participating students and community members. Past guest artist have been: Saxophonist, Ron Carter, Saxohponist, Tia Fuller, Trombonist, Wycliffe Gordon, Trumpeter, Terell Stafford, pianist, Reginald Thomas, Trumpeter, Jon Faddis, Bassist, Todd Coolman, Trumpeter, Cecil Bridgewater, Drummer, Alvester Garnett, and more... Jazz Elite ensembles rehearse three to fours hours per week.

Director, Iantheia Calhoun has been educating young musicians for over 17 years. She is a middle school and high school band director in Westchester County. She also conducts jazz workshops/clinics with local middle and high school music programs to help develop their jazz bands. Students in Jazz Elite are given the opportunity to learn and perform jazz with other musicians in and around Westchester County that share in their passion. Ms. Calhoun also performs with her students at various community events throughout the year. Be sure to check the website for upcoming events: www.JazzElite.org , and come support these young musicians.

**Past and current participating schools** Ardsley High School, Ardsley Middle School, Beacon High School, Cooper Beech Middle School, Blind Brook High School, Edgemont High School, Elizabeth Irwin High School, Foxlane Middle School, Good Counsel Academy, Hackley School, Harrison High School, Horace Greeley High School, Iona Prep, Kennedy Catholic High School, Lakeland High School, Mamaroneck High School, New Rochelle High School, Ossining High School, Professional Children’s School, Rye Neck High School, Scarsdale High School, Sleepy Hollow High School, Yorktown Middle School, John Jay High School, Westlake High School, Woodlands Middle High School, Yorktown Middle School, Yorktown High School