New York Jazz Academy Students Selected for GRAMMY camp

 
Grammy camp is a national honor given to only 8 vocalists nationwide, and little did Jack O’Connor and Jack VanGorden know, when they enrolled in New York Jazz Academy, that only a few months later, they’d be selected for the Grammy program. Jack and Jack will join 6 other high school students from across the United States have been selected for the 2016 GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session. Their selection launches them into the spotlight surrounding the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards, and provides them with opportunities to perform for some of music’s biggest names. The students will travel to Los Angeles for a weeklong musical adventure under the direction of Justin DiCioccio of the Manhattan School of Music, Dr. Ron McCurdy of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and associate choral director Susanna Wegner of Kansas City, Mo.
 

While studying at the NYJA Summer Jazz Intensives in July 2015, they worked intimately with a host of faculty members, including vocalist Tammy Scheffer, who helped them hone their craft and artistry in preparation for their audition. NYJA Director Javier Arau is thrilled with their selection: “These two came in already with a deep understanding of vocal jazz style, sounding remarkably like a combination of Chet Baker and Mel Torme really, and we were able to help them take their understanding of jazz to the next level. I’m really proud of both of them.” NYJA Jazz Intensives programs run every summer in NYC, in addition to select weeks throughout the year, including jazz music camps and workshops throughout Spring break and Christmas vacation.
 

About New York Jazz Academy
 
Over the years, New York Jazz Academy has evolved into one of the most diverse musical communities in the world, comprising over 1,000 musicians of all kinds, from 33 states, and 35 countries. A music school based in NYC, NYJA welcomes artists of all ages and skill levels to join in the pursuit of excellence in jazz. With locations thriving in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island, NYJA has built an extensive network of some of the best jazz musicians and educators in America’s most talent-packed city. NYJA’s diverse student body includes seasoned performing artists, adult hobbyists, supremely talented teens, and beginners of all ages. Students can train on virtually any instrument, including piano, guitar, drums, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, voice, and more.
 
For students in and outside of New York City, New York Jazz Academy offers private music lessons, jazz courses online, vocal jazz workshops, youth jazz programs, adult jazz programs, jazz band rehearsals, including small ensembles and big bands, improv workshops, an in-house NYC guitar school, jazz piano lessons, jazz saxophone lessons, and much more, offering something for virtually everyone. The NYJA Summer Jazz Intensives are the most highly attended summer music camp in NYC. In addition to summer programs and year-round programs, NYJA also offers spring jazz intensives and winter jazz intensives, which are seasonal jazz workshops.
 
Beyond music classes, the New York Jazz Academy Jazz Ambassadors travel program gives musicians and fans an opportunity to travel worldwide while experiencing the music of diverse cultures. NYJA also offers professional entertainment services, including party bands, wedding jazz bands, ceremony music in NYC and beyond, and much more.
 
An active contributor to the cultural vitality of the city, NYJA also offers school outreach programs and assemblies, special performances at major jazz venues, custom workshops for out-of-town students, and educational consulting and publishing. Current and previous collaborators and clients have included PBS Television, CNBC, Save The Children, DreamYard, Smoke Jazz Club, Club Bonafide, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Smithsonian Institute.

 
For more about New York Jazz Academy, visit https://www.nyjazzacademy.com or call (718) 426-0633.