Guitar Programs for All Levels 
Whether you are an advanced guitarist or a beginner, New York Jazz Academy programs offer an opportunity for you to work with mentors and other like-minded musicians in an effort to take it to the next level. All NYJA teachers are active guitarists on the NYC scene and are leaders in the world of jazz performance and instruction.
Program Options
Performance Opportunities
Future Program Options
Need More Information?
Note to Kids and Teens
Note to Tourists and International Students
New York Jazz Academy Guitar Faculty
Dave Allen | Tom Dempsey | Alejandro Florez | Sten Hostfalt | Andre Matos | Brad Shepik | Russ Spiegel
Select a location: Manhattan | Long Island | Brooklyn | Queens
| Manhattan Programs | Semester (Click for Info) |
Location | Class Type | Level | Day | Time | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Lessons | Ongoing | Various Locations | Lessons | Beg-Int-Adv | By Appt. | By Appt. | $58-$150/hr. |
| A Cool Approach: Jazz Theory 101 | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 263 W. 86 St. @ West End Ave. | Lecture/Ensemble | All Levels | Mondays | 6pm-6:50pm | $180, 8 sessions ($25 walk-in trial) |
| The Feeling of Jazz | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 263 W. 86 St. @ West End Ave. | Lecture/Ensemble | All Levels | Mondays | 6pm-6:50pm | $120-$260, 4-12 sessions |
| Jazz Improv Made Easy I & II | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 263 W. 86 St. @ West End Ave. | Ensemble | Beg-Int-Adv | Mondays | 7pm-8:50pm | $160-$320, 4-12 sessions |
| Jazz Notation & Ear-Training | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 263 W. 86 St. @ West End Ave. | Lecture | Int-Adv | Tuesdays | 6pm-6:50pm | $120-$260, 4-12 sessions |
| Soul Jazz Blue Note Legacy Ensemble | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 263 W. 86 St. @ West End Ave. | Small Ensemble | Int-Adv | Tuesdays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240-$480, 4-12 sessions |
| Jazz Guitar 101 | contact NYJA for more info | Private Studio, Times Square | Guitars Only | Beg-Int | By Appt. | Call for Info | $240, 8 sessions |
| The Complete Jazz Guitar Workshop | contact NYJA for more info | Private Studio, Times Square | Guitars Only | Int-Adv | By Appt. | Call for Info | $360-$480, 8 sessions |
| Player's Choice Ensemble: Jazz Standards | Summer Flex, June, July, August | 164 E. 56 St. @ 3rd Ave. | Small Ensemble | Int-Adv | Tuesdays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240-$480, 4-12 sessions |
| Mixed Meter Ensemble | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 164 E. 56 St. @ 3rd Ave. | Small Ensemble | Adv-Pro | Tuesdays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240-$480, 4-8 sessions |
| Player's Choice Ensemble: Jazz Standards | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 164 E. 56 St. @ 3rd Ave. | Small Ensemble | Int-Adv | Wednesdays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240-$480, 4-12 sessions |
| Afro/Latin Rhythm and Jazz Workshop | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | Private Studio, Times Square | Small Ensemble | Int-Adv | Wednesdays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240-$480, 4-12 sessions |
| Art Blakey Legacy Ensemble | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 263 W. 86 St. @ West End Ave. | Small Ensemble | Int-Adv-Pro | Wednesdays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240-$480, 4-12 sessions |
| Player's Choice Ensemble: Jazz Standards | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 263 W. 86 St. @ West End Ave. | Small Ensemble | Int-Adv | Thursdays | 12pm-1:50pm | $240-$480, 4-12 sessions |
| Bebop Line Building | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 263 W. 86 St. @ West End Ave. | Lecture/Ensemble | Int-Adv-Pro | Thursdays | 6pm-6:50pm | $120-$260, 4-12 sessions |
| Wayne Shorter Ensemble | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 263 W. 86 St. @ West End Ave. | Small Ensemble | Int-Adv-Pro | Thursdays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240-$480, 4-12 sessions |
| Lead Sheet Preparation | contact NYJA for more info | Lexington Ave. @ E. 54 St. | Lecture | Beg-Int | Saturdays | 11am-11:50am | $180, 8 sessions ($25 trial) |
| Basic Note-Reading and Application | contact NYJA for more info | Lexington Ave. @ E. 54 St. | Large Ensemble | Beg-Int | Saturdays | 10am-11:50am | $160-$320, 4-12 sessions |
| Big Band Workshop I, II, & III | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | Lexington Ave. @ E. 54 St. | Large Ensemble | Beg-Int-Adv-Pro | Saturdays | 10am-11:50am, 12pm-1:50pm, 2pm-3:50pm | $160-$320, 4-12 sessions |
| Player's Choice Ensemble: Jazz Standards | Spring 2012, Summer Flex, June, July, August | 212 E. 52 St. @ 3rd Ave. | Small Ensemble | Beg-Int | Saturdays | 12pm-1:50pm | $240-$480, 4-12 sessions |
| Thelonious Monk Legacy Ensemble | contact NYJA for more info | Location TBA | Small Ensemble | Int-Adv | Day TBA | Time TBA | $480, 8 sessions |
| Brazilian Music Ensemble | contact NYJA for more info | W. 96 St. @ West End Ave. | Ensemble | All Levels | Day TBA | Time TBA | $480, 8 sessions |
| Summer Jazz Intensives, Jul 9-Aug 3, 2012 | Summer 2012 | 263 W. 86 St. @ West End Ave. | Ensemble/Lecture | All Levels | Mon-Fri | 10am-4pm | $650-$895/wk. |
| Long Island Programs | Semester (Click for Info) | Location | Class Type | Level | Day | Time | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Lessons | Ongoing (contact NYJA) | NYJA Long Island, 166 Jericho Tpke, Mineola, NY | Lessons | Beg-Int | By Appt. | By Appt. | $5 and up |
| Private Lessons | Ongoing | NYJA Long Island, 166 Jericho Tpke, Mineola, NY | Lessons | Beg-Int-Adv | By Appt. | By Appt. | $30-$85/lesson |
| A Cool Approach: Jazz Theory 101 | contact NYJA for more info | NYJA Long Island, 166 Jericho Tpke, Mineola, NY | Lecture/Ensemble | Beg-Int | Sundays | 3pm-3:50pm | $180, 8 sessions ($25 walk-in trial) |
| Jazz Improv Made Easy I | contact NYJA for more info | NYJA Long Island, 166 Jericho Tpke, Mineola, NY | Ensemble | Beg-Int | Sundays | 4pm-5:20pm | $240, 8 sessions |
| Jazz Improv Made Easy II | contact NYJA for more info | NYJA Long Island, 166 Jericho Tpke, Mineola, NY | Ensemble | Int-Adv | Sundays | 5:30pm-6:50pm | $240, 8 sessions |
| Big Band Workshop | contact NYJA for more info | NYJA Long Island, 166 Jericho Tpke, Mineola, NY | Large Ensemble | Int-Adv | Sundays | 7:20pm-8:50pm | $240, 8 sessions |
| Jazz Improv Made Easy I | contact NYJA for more info | NYJA Long Island, 166 Jericho Tpke, Mineola, NY | Ensemble | Beg-Int | Tuesdays | 6pm-7:20pm | $240, 8 sessions |
| Jazz Improv Made Easy II | contact NYJA for more info | NYJA Long Island, 166 Jericho Tpke, Mineola, NY | Ensemble | Int-Adv | Tuesdays | 7:30pm-8:50pm | $240, 8 sessions |
| Brooklyn Programs | Semester (Click for Info) | Location | Class Type | Level | Day | Time | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Lessons | Ongoing | Various Locations | Lessons | Beg-Int-Adv | By Appt. | By Appt. | $58-$150/hr. |
| Jazz Guitar 101 | contact NYJA for more info | 856 Pacific St. @ Vanderbilt Ave. | Guitars Only | Beg-Int | Mondays | 6pm-6:50pm | $240, 8 sessions |
| The Complete Jazz Guitar Workshop | contact NYJA for more info | 856 Pacific St. @ Vanderbilt Ave. | Guitars Only | Int-Adv | Mondays | 7:30pm-8:50pm | $360-480, 8 sessions |
| Player's Choice Ensemble: Jazz Standards | contact NYJA for more info | 856 Pacific St. @ Vanderbilt Ave. | Small Ensemble | Int-Adv | Mondays | 7pm-8:50pm | $425, 8 sessions |
| Jazz Improv Made Easy I | contact NYJA for more info | 856 Pacific St. @ Vanderbilt Ave. | Ensemble | Beg-Int | Tuesdays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240, 8 sessions ($35 walk-in trial) |
| Big Band Improv Workshop | contact NYJA for more info | 856 Pacific St. @ Vanderbilt Ave. | Large Ensemble | Int-Adv | Thursdays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240, 8 sessions |
| Art Of The Jam Session | contact NYJA for more info | Park Slope, Brooklyn | Ensemble | All Levels | Fridays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240, 8 sessions ($35 walk-in trial) |
| Queens Programs | Semester (Click for Info) |
Location | Class Type | Level | Day | Time | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Lessons | Ongoing | Various Locations | Lessons | Beg-Int-Adv | By Appt. | By Appt. | $58-$150/hr. |
| Jazz Improv Made Easy I | contact NYJA for more info | Private Studio, Jackson Heights | Ensemble | Beg-Int-Adv | Tuesdays | 7pm-8:50pm | $240, 8 sessions ($35 walk-in trial) |
Program Options
Regardless of your level and previous experience in music, NYJA offers private lessons with NYC's finest jazz guitarists. If you are a guitarist just starting out with jazz, or if you would like to get caught up on essential jazz fundamentals, we offer many beginning-intermediate level programs to suit your needs, including guitar and improv ensemble workshops. For more advanced players, whether you are a hobbyist or working on professional development, our ensemble programs offer a great way to continue to develop on your guitar. These programs range from small ensembles and improv workshops to full big bands. NYJA also offers you a selection of theory and notation and ear-training classes that can really help you demystify jazz music. For complete program listings, click here.
Performance Opportunities
While our weekly programs are wholly satisfying and productive, we also integrate regular performance opportunities for our students at major venues throughout NYC. NYJA participants have performed for Mayor Bloomberg, at Carnegie Hall, on NBC TV and CNBC, and at major jazz clubs throughout the city. For those who need financial assistance, NYJA frequently offers paid gig opportunities to qualified students. If you are looking for a summer jazz workshop, our Summer Jazz Intensives are now the most popular programs in all of NYC and attract talented players from all over the world.
Future Program Options
We hope you will enjoy browsing current course offerings above. NYJA is constantly adding new programs, so if you see a program you would like to join, but the current schedule does not meet your needs, let us know. We can keep you updated on new course offerings and schedules.
Need More Information?
For more information about our teachers, visit our faculty page or click on a faculty member above. Also, feel free to visit our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page. Finally, if you have any specific questions regarding NYJA, do not hesitate to contact us. You will have the chance to speak with a jazz professional who can help advise you.
Note to Kids and Teens
If you are a talented kid or teen (age 9-19), you may be interested in our kids' jazz programs, teen programs, or our Summer Jazz Intensives (open to teens and adults). Private lessons are also available for every age. Exceptionally talented teens, ages 14 and older, are also welcome to register for our general programs (listed below). The youngest students will love JELLY JAMZ, our early childhood music division, open to infants and toddlers. If you are not certain what may be the best option for you, please contact NYJA for a free assessment.
Note to Tourists and International Students
If you are planning on visiting NYC or Long Island from another city or country, visit our tourists page for more information on custom workshop packages for groups and individuals.
