Jazz Music Conservatory
More than music education — This is where jazz artists are shaped.
Train in the language of jazz through immersive, performance-driven study. Develop improvisation, musicality, and artistic voice while working alongside other dedicated musicians.
With a focus on ensemble collaboration, real-world application, and mentorship from experienced artists, this program prepares students for collegiate training and the next stage of their musical journey.
Students leave prepared for collegiate jazz programs with strong technique, improvisation skills, ensemble fluency, repertoire, and a developing artistic voice.
Program Overview:
The Jazz Music Conservatory at OC Music & Dance is a pre-professional program designed to develop versatile, collaborative musicians. Students build skills in improvisation, theory, ear training, composition, and arranging through an integrated and performance-driven curriculum.
Training includes seminars and small ensembles (combos), with an emphasis on listening, transcription, and performance. Ensemble work is central, helping students build a strong repertoire and develop their artistic voice.
Designed as a pre-college pathway, the program prepares students for collegiate jazz studies and continued growth as confident, expressive musicians.
Through weekly classes, ensemble work, and studio experience, students will:
Instrumental Skills (classes by instruments), Elective 1
Seminar, Combo Rehearsal/Workshop
Instrumental Skills (classes by instruments), Elective 2
Seminar or Elective 3. Combo Rehearsal/Workshop
Electives Available | Piano Proficiency (required for certain Electives), Composition, Arranging, Recording/Studio, Advanced Theory/Aural Skills
Application Requirements
Preliminary Video Submission:
Play 2 major scales and 1 minor scale ascending and descending.
Play one jazz standard of your choosing.
Live Audition:
Play one jazz standard of your choosing
Ability to sightread at an intermediate level
Ability to improvise on a modern Blues.
Interested in applying to OC Music and Dance’s Classical Music Conservatory?
Now accepting applications for Fall 2026.
Apply today for priority consideration.
MEET OUR MUSICAL THEATRE
CREATIVE TEAM
DAN RECKARD
Dan Reckard is an accomplished pianist, saxophonist, composer, and educator dedicated to cultivating the next generation of musicians through rigorous training and real-world experience.
ROGER PRZYTULSKI
Ron Kobayashi is an acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and educator whose career spans more than three decades of performance and arts education.
