The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz has unveiled an ambitious slate of live, online educational programs and webinars to take place this summer for elementary, middle and high school students from across the country and around the globe. All of the programs are offered to participants at no cost, but registration is required. The Jazz in America and BeBop to Hip-Hop summer programs are made possible by support from AT&T.
Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock noted, “The Institute’s online jazz education programs will teach students of all ages and musical abilities about the truly American spirit of jazz and its essential elements of improvisation and creativity. These free programs will help students navigate this challenging time and keep them focused on their future. The Institute is committed to keeping students engaged in meaningful pursuits this summer, especially as many summer programs across the nation have been canceled.”
Jazz in America is an innovative, internet-based jazz curriculum for social studies, American history and general music classes. Developed by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, the curriculum aims to provide students with a basic understanding of jazz as a musical form, along with appreciation of the profound contributions jazz has made to America’s cultural and civic life. The 24-session webinar series taught by Dr. JB Dyas, the Institute’s Vice President of Education and Curriculum Development, offers mini-courses for students in grades 10-12 (June 22-July 8), grades 7-9 (July 13-29) and grades 4-6 (August 3-12). Participants from the United States and over 30 countries have enrolled in the first course.
BeBop to Hip-Hop is a 10-week program for high school students from June 25 to August 27. Aspiring producers, musicians and rappers will create music with guidance from renowned music industry professionals including DJ Khalil, Hi-Tek, Mike & Keys, Tariq Beats, and others to be announced shortly. Students will have opportunities to collaborate virtually on original music projects and the program will culminate with a unique online public concert presentation. Hancock Institute West Coast Director, Daniel Seeff stated, “This program will provide a rare opportunity for students around the country to develop their artistic vision with guidance from successful professionals who can give them invaluable feedback from their years of experience in the music industry.”
