JazzArts Academy is cultivating a young music community in Charlotte, and teaching valuable life skills for students
Charlotte, North Carolina – Numerous studies over the years have shown that learning to play an instrument at an early age can positively impact academic attainment, memory, and attention skills. And while that would be sufficient reasoning for schools to fund their music programs, most budgets are still being cut.
Since 2011, JazzArts Charlotte, a non-profit founded in 2009 by Lonnie and Ocie Davis, has worked with over 50,000 K-12 students in the Charlotte region through their youth ensembles, workshops, and educational programs. The steady growth and success of the organization recently led to JazzArts Charlotte bringing on their first Education Director, Patrick Brown, in 2022.
Education Director Patrick Brown Cultivates the Next Generation
Charlotte native Patrick Brown was named the education director of JazzArts Charlotte in 2022. An accomplished saxophone player and former college professor, Brown oversees the JazzArts Academy and its nearly 20 educators and instructors that lead various programs, including a youth ensemble, a summer camp, workshops, an award-winning early childhood program, and a Latin jazz youth ensemble.
The academy’s flagship program, JazzArts Youth Ensembles + Workshops, had record enrollment in the past year. The JazzArts Summer Music Camp at UNC Charlotte also saw record enrollment in 2023.
Making a Difference in the Community
Having grown up in Charlotte during a time when jazz was not a prominent part of the city’s culture, Brown takes pride in impacting not only the young students but also the city itself. He emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for youth that he did not have access to in his own childhood.
Since its inception, JazzArts Charlotte has seen graduates like Sean Mason, who studied music at Juilliard and has performed at prestigious jazz clubs internationally. Stories like Mason’s drive Brown to make a bigger impact in the community by growing JazzArts Academy and providing opportunities for talented individuals.
Empowering Students Through Music
The JazzArts Academy offers a range of programs catering to students of all ages and skill levels. Their flagship program, JazzArts Youth Ensembles + Workshops, teaches jazz through 12-week sessions covering multiple skill levels with all instruments welcomed, including vocals. Brown sees the program as not only music lessons but life lessons, promoting self-confidence, social interaction, and creativity.
Furthermore, the academy’s summer camps at UNC Charlotte and the newly introduced Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and diversity in both students and musical styles. The programs aim to break down barriers and make music education accessible to all students.
Building a Strong Music Community
Where public tax-funded education may have faltered in supporting music programs nationally, organizations like JazzArts Charlotte are stepping in to fill the void, growing the music community and developing valuable life skills through the magic of jazz.
“We try to break barriers down and make our program accessible for all of our students,” said Brown. “I’m a part of the journey, but they’re the ones that are putting the work in. I just want to hopefully, somehow positively impact their journey.”
Check out the full range of programming the JazzArts Academy offers including their WeBop curriculum, JazzArts Youth Ensembles + Workshops, Nuestro Tiempo Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble, and JazzArts Summer Music Camp.
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