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

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.

No. New York Jazz Academy does not offer a dormitory housing option. We recommend that you search for alternative housing options (hotels, hostels, swaps, rooms for rent, etc.). Please contact NYJA directly if you have housing concerns and questions.

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

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 exception to this is a select number of classes that allow for a one-time prepaid walk-in trial.

All payments with New York Jazz Academy 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.

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 Jazz Club, Club Bonafide, 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.

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.

We do offer optional pre-payment installment plan, the details of which you can review on each program registration page. Details vary depending on when prepayment begins. Each program semester must be paid in full before the program semester begins. If you are not interested in waiting for all your prepayments to be completed, please keep in mind that, while paying your tuition in full may require some budgeting and planning, our semester lengths are short enough to make payments quite manageable for most.

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

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, you will most likely have more program options.

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.

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 and kids who want a “teen only” experience to sign up for our teen and youth specific programs. Our Summer Jazz Intensives also see 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 international info page.

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.

New York Jazz Academy is a local establishment and offers a very personal touch. Feel free to contact us with any other questions you may have. We also offer free assessments to anyone interested in taking his or her music to the next level.