FAQ Page | New York Jazz Academy | NYC's Fastest-Growing Music School

General questions (locations, finances, getting started, etc.)

Curricular/Advising questions (appropriate classes to take, audition requirements, assessments, etc.)

Technical questions (online registration, payment processing, gift certificates, international student and visa issues, site navigation, etc.)

General questions

(locations, finances, getting started, etc.)

What is New York Jazz Academy?

NYJA is a popular community music school for all ages and levels, based in NYC and Long Island. We offer professional development programs, adult education programs, youth education programs, and professional services including a gig referral service.

Where are you located?

NYJA ensemble programs and classes are held at several locations in Manhattan (UWS/Midtown), Brooklyn (Prospect Heights), Queens (Jackson Heights/Ridgewood), and Long Island (Mineola). Private lessons are offered at separate individual faculty studios throughout these areas. Many of our private teachers are also available to come to your home to teach, even if you live in outlying areas. The NYJA administrative office is in Jackson Heights, Queens. Visit our location page for interactive maps and specific addresses for each location.

What ages do you teach?

The majority of NYJA students are adults ranging from college students to baby boomers. Talented teens and kids also study with NYJA. NYJA offers private lessons to students as young as age 4. The early childhood education division of NYJA, Jelly Jamz, teaches kids from infancy.

Do you offer housing options?

We only offer a dormitory housing option for our Summer Jazz Intensives.

How do I apply to NYJA?

NYJA offers an entirely alternate model to music development than the standard 2-year or 4-year music school. Only our Summer Jazz Intensives require a formal application. All other programs require a simple assessment and consultation, and you can enroll at any time. To get started, contact us.

Can I enroll in NYJA mid-semester? I am interested in a program that has already started.

Yes. Most NYJA programs allow for pro-rated mid-semester enrollment, space-permitting. Contact NYJA regarding which current courses are offering mid-semester enrollment.

The course I am interested is listed as being only 8 weeks long. What happens then? Does the course continue after that?

Most of our courses continue year-round. Our courses tend to be repertoire-centric, and the focus on compositions in the jazz canon allows for the curriculum to be varied constantly. No two 8-week classes and ensembles are the same, and participants tend to sign up again and again for the same class, knowing that the course material constantly offers something new.

Can I try out a class before I commit?

While you are more than welcome to visit with teachers, schedule an assessment and advising session, and peruse our website, you generally cannot try out a class before committing to a semester. The excepts to this are a select number of class that allow for a one-time prepaid walk-in trial. Browse our tuition listings on our courses at-a-glance page for complete information.

Can I get a refund if I feel that a class is not a match for me?

All payments with NYJA are non-refundable. In rare cases, we may have room in a different course, in which case we will try to schedule a transfer for you. For more information on policies, including cancellations, visit our policies page.

Can I get a refund for a class if I can no longer attend?

All payments with NYJA are non-refundable. If you can no longer attend a class, you may request that a portion of your tuition go toward a scholarship for a needy student.

Do you offer recital/performance opportunities?

Yes, and often. Previous performances include spots on NBC and CNBC, live at Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, a performance for NYC's Mayor Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion, regular gigs at NYC jazz clubs, including Smoke, Tutuma, Something' Jazz, summer concert series, private gala events, weddings, private parties, and much more. NYJA also operates a gig referral service for current participants, helping get musicians regular and exciting performance opportunities.

Do you have audition requirements?

We do ask to hear most prospective students, either through a live appointment with a NYJA teacher or via a emailed audi/video file. We like to think of this introduction as merely an assessment rather than a stressful, make-or-break audition. Once we have heard you play, we can better advise you as to which programs will be right for you. NYJA does not require an assessment for select courses and private lessons.

Is there an application deadline for workshops, lessons, or classes?

NYJA does have an application deadline for our Summer Jazz Intensives. Most of our general programs do not have application deadlines. However, if you are interested in a particular program, enroll early, as most programs are open on a first-come first-served basis and reach enrollment capacity quickly.

Do you offer programs for vocalists?

Yes. Visit our page for vocalists for up-to-date program options.

What are your rates?

Rates are both reasonable and competitive, with rates starting as low as $15/hr. Most NYJA are priced a la carte, with tuition prices listed on each specific program page. How much money and time you budget toward your musical development is a personal decision. If you need advice on choosing, for instance, private lessons vs. an ensemble workshop, contact us. We'll do our best to advise you.

Do you offer payment plans?

No. Our tuition rates and semester lengths are short enough to make payments quite manageable for most. If you are a talented musician interested in financial assistance, contact us regarding any possible incentive options.

Do you offer scholarships?

We have a very limited amount of financial aid available to those who qualify. For more information on scholarships and other incentives, call us at (718) 426-0633.

Why should I invest in my musical future?

You might have many reasons for pursuing music study. At some point along the line, we all need some structured guidance and solid teaching to help get to the next musical level on this long ladder we are climbing. You should invest in your musical future because life is simply too precious to continue playing at a plateau. Your music deserves more than that.

Why should I pay to study with NYJA?

We can help you reach your musical goals and live your dream. The level of instruction through NYJA rivals any university or conservatory program worldwide. Yet, our tuition plans are far more flexible, affordable, and our personal commitment to our students is unusually high. In short, you have a chance to learn from serious "major-leaguers" in the jazz field while not breaking the bank. The general approach to jazz instruction through NYJA is innovative, effective and sees consistently positive results from participants.

Curricular/Advising questions

(appropriate classes to take, audition requirements, course prerequisites, assessments, etc.)

I am a beginner to jazz. Where should I start?

If you are a complete beginner, someone who has never played an instrument before, your best option is to start with private lessons on your instrument. If you are already relatively adept on a particular instrument but are new to jazz, choose a program from our program lists that is labeled for "all levels" or for "beg" or "beg-int".

I am an advanced musician who already graduated as a music major. Is there a place for me with NYJA?

Yes. You may have graduated from music school, but you might still feel unprepared as a jazz musician, particularly in such an intimidating place as NYC. NYJA will help you continue to grow as a professional, and you will have an opportunity to break through some plateaus while studying with top-tier NYC professionals.

I have been disappointed by other workshops offered by other programs, and I wonder if NYJA will really deliver.

That is understandable. We hear from many many students who have attended programs programs presented by other institutions and organizations, and their disappoint tends to lie in two areas: (1) the player, someone who was more of a beginner in jazz, felt the other workshop was too advanced and a lot of the material moved too quickly or just went over his or her head, or (2) the player, someone who was more advanced, felt the other musicians in the workshop were far too inexperienced, so the collaborative experience was not helpful or very enjoyable.

Our programs are leveled really well, and we have a great track record of placing musicians in appropriately leveled ensemble and course programs. Beginners are taught with a clarity and patience that resonates with everyone involved. Advanced players are taught by players who can help with difficult jazz concepts all while work shopping among players of similar skill levels. We are very organized and committed. For instance, if a bassist cannot show up for a workshop rehearsal, we go out of our way to hire a ringer to fill the bass chair so that everyone involved is assured a quality and fulfilling ensemble experience. Finally, we are also very honest, and we will let you if we feel you would be better served in a different workshop or even a different school.

I am deciding whether to attend NYJA or another 2-year or 4-year program. What should I do?

Where you go to school depends on your professional and musical goals. NYJA is trailblazing a new learning model that is very different than most 2-year and 4-year institutions. What is right for you may not be right for your neighbors or peers. We suggest you begin by making a list of pros and con to help you compare schools:

Some basic pros for NYJA: (1) world-class instruction in the heart of the jazz capital of the world, (2) pay-as-you-go tuition plans that won't break the bank, freeing you from suffocating student loans, and (3) an abundance of evening and weekend courses allowing you to pursue your dreams and goals without having to quit your day job.

Some basic pros for a 2-year or 4-year program: (1) you will have a chance to earn a degree, particularly valuable if you intend to teach music, (2) a chance to study full-time day and night, and (3) access to campus facilities, including music libraries, recording equipment, and dedicated practice rooms.

I just want to take private lessons. Can I do that?

Yes. Visit our private lessons page for more information on private lesson specifics, including rates, locations, and registration.

How do I know if the program I sign up for is going to include other participants my age?

You can always double-check with us by contacting our office regarding a specific program, but our programs tend to see more adult participants with an occasional number of teens in the mix. We encourage teens who want a "teen only" experience to sign up for our Teen Improvisation Workshop. Kids under age 13 are encouraged to sign up for our Junior Jazz Workshop. Our summer program sees a healthy mix of adults and teens. We take great care to make sure participants feel at home in our programs, regardless of specific age levels.

Do you also teach classical music?

Yes. Most of our teachers are extremely well-versed in classical music and classical pedagogy. Many have performed with leading classical ensembles throughout the world. We emphasize both jazz and classical study for beginning and intermediate students, and we consider classical technique, harmony, and literature to be a valuable part of a student's development.

What about note-reading?

Note-reading is quite valuable. It is a bit of a misconception to think of jazz as having little to do with note-reading. Jazz study does incorporate improvisation, but fluency in note-reading is an important skill that helps every jazz musician function at a particularly high musical level. Because of this, we encourage note-reading with our students. Ironically, our students tend to develop a greater understanding of notation because of our holistic approach to pedagogy.

I need help deciding what programs to consider! What should I do?

Call us at (718) 426-0633. We will be happy to help you decide what is best for you. No pressure. Really! We're here to help. You won't have to worry about a hard sell.

Technical questions

(online registration, payment processing, gift certificates, international student and visa issues, site navigation, etc.)

I am having trouble registering online for a program.

You can bypass any frustration with online navigation by calling or emailing. We'll help get you registered quickly and painlessly through the "back end" of the computer system.

I would rather not give my credit card info online. Do I have other payment options?

Yes. NYJA also accepts payments via cash, check, money order, credit card payments by phone or by PayPal invoice. Contact us regarding your preferred payment arrangement.

How do I retrieve my password?

If you have already created a new user account with NYJA, click here to request that your password be emailed to you. Be sure to check your spam box, if you do not receive your email. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us for assistance.

Do you offer gift certificates?

Yes. Visit our gift page to get started.

I am an international student and want to study with NYJA. Do you issue student visas?

NYJA cannot issue student visas at this time. If you are international student and would like to visit NYC to study with us, you may do so, but we cannot issue you a student visa. You will be able to enroll if you obtain a tourist visa, work visa, or student visa through another channel. For more information for international students and tourists, visit our tourists page.

Can I obtain a certificate of enrollment from NYJA?

We can issue you a certificate verifying your enrollment. Note that we do not issue diplomas or credentials, as NYJA is a community music school not an accredited 2-year or 4-year music school.

This website is confusing me. Where should I start?

We recommend starting by choosing an instrument button on our home page and reading all about the program options for your particular instrument. You can always feel free to go with a low-tech yet very personal and customized option and give us a call. We want to hear from you.

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