About Us
Our Mission
The New Mexico Jazz Workshop is a professional organization committed to providing unlimited access to a higher quality of life through education and performance. The New Mexico Jazz Workshop uses educational programs and performance to connect the community with the essence of jazz—creating a more empowered and vibrant community.
Our History
The New Mexico Jazz Workshop (NMJW) was formed on February 12, 1976 when a group of jazz musicians came together to begin a jazz co-operative that was free to perform anywhere. By the end of the 1970’s NMJW began bringing international jazz artists to the KiMo Theatre. The organization moved from Santa Fe to Albuquerque in August, 1979. During the 1980’s, NMJW expanded its Guest Artist series to bring more national and international artists to New Mexico while the Madrid Concert Series continued to spotlight local musicians with 4 or 5 concerts per summer.
The 1990’s created more opportunity for local musicians with the Summer Music Festival which includes Salsa Under the Stars on Friday nights, Jazz Under the Stars on Saturday nights, and Blues Under the Stars throughout the summer. The first annual Women’s Voices, a festival of jazz, blues and gospel was held Saturday, June 12, 1993 at the Rio Grande Zoo.
Salsa, Jazz and Blues Under the Stars continue to draw record numbers at the Albuquerque Museum Amphitheatre. As the organization embarks on its 48th year, NMJW continues to reach out and connect with thousands of students each year with its Roots of Jazz program, Honor Band, South Valley Band Project, Jazz Camp, Digital Technology Project, and Adult Education classes.
Board Members
Joanie Griffin, NMJW Board President
Joanie Griffin, NMJW Board President, is the founder and CEO of Sunny505, one of New Mexico's largest advertising and communications firms. She is passionate about economic development and helping New Mexico thrive. In addition to the New Mexico Jazz Workshop she serves on the board of directors of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the New Mexico Holocaust Museum and Gellert Center for Intolerance. She also serves in an advisory capacity for the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance and the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience. Joanie received a Bachelor's of Science in Journalism from the University of Colorado.
NMJW Board Secretary
OPEN
Shelly Cherrin, Vice President/President Elect
Shelly Cherrin is a retired educator who continues to consult with districts/schools all over New
Mexico. As a former school leader who has started and run charter schools, she has seen the
positive effect that the arts have had on both student involvement and achievement in all
grades. She is also a former board member of the NMJZZ, and has been a long-time supporter
of the workshop and its mission.
Rhonda Cordova, Treasurer
Bio and photo coming
Clarence Hughes
Bio and photo coming
Monica Aguilar
Retired Educator, Educational Consultant
Gregory Bright
Data Base Marketing Manager; Sandia Casino (RETIRED)
Michael Keith
Michael Keith is a seasoned professional with 30 years of experience in the retail music industry in Albuquerque. A former instrumentalist and vocalist, he holds degrees in mass media/journalism and business management from the University of New Mexico. Throughout his career, Michael has served as the manager or owner of several music and entertainment-related businesses. He is currently the owner/operator of Musicality, a local music store, and co-owner of Mentor Music USA, a brass ensemble music publisher.
Since the summer of 2022, Michael has been a board member of NM Jazz, and he previously served on the board of the Public Academy for Performing Arts. Passionate about music, Michael is dedicated to promoting and fostering music education and performance.
Miriam Ray
Bio and photo coming
Steven Seifert, MD
In Memory of Steven Seifert, who served on the NMJW Board 2015-2022. New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board member since 2015, serving on the Executive Committee and the Hiring Committee. He is a Professor at UNM School of Medicine and the medical director of the New Mexico Poison Center. He has served on a number of non-profit Boards, including the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault and the North American Society of Toxinology. He has been involved with the jazz scene in Albuquerque since his arrival in 2007. He is a supporter of jazz throughout the city, region, and country and also regularly performs locally.
The New Mexico Jazz Workshop Board of Directors meets the fourth Thursday of every month. Please contact the NMJW office for more information: 505-255-9798
Our Staff
Red or Green? Must I choose?!
Go-to comfort food? Toast and jam
Hometown? Las Vegas, NM
Favorite karaoke? Never done karaoke
A favorite musician? Ray Lamontagne
Dream job as a kid? Chef
If you could have lunch with anyone (living or not), who would it be? Warren buffet/alive; my maternal grandparents/not living
What’s a skill you’d like to learn? To sing!
What’s one of your non-music talents? Award-winning Chef and Cateress for over 30 years
Born to a ranching family in the mountains of northern New Mexico, Mia was raised in El Porvenier and later in Santa Fe where the beginnings of her first career as a culinarian took shape. After graduation from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Mia established a catering company in the Denver/Boulder area. A return to New Mexico brought expansion to her career as an award-winning chef with Until We Eat Again Catering.
Living back in NM allowed Mia to foster her heart’s true passion of service to others and began volunteering with more than 10 area non-profit organizations. Soon thereafter, Mia was elected as president of the Board of directors at the National Association of Women Business Owners, Roadrunner Food Bank, The Barrett House Foundation, and New Futures School. Her pivot from entrepreneurship to leadership in non-profits occurred during the Pandemic after a period of gratifying, self-reflection. A chance to interview with the New Mexico Jazz Workshop happened in the fall of 2021 and now Mia is leading a dynamic staff dedicated to enhancing the lives of our Albuquerque community through a mission of live performance, through education and service to underserved youth.
This quote perfectly describes the privilege Mia feels at the helm of the Workshop: “Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.”
Maud has been an NMJW staff member since 2005. Her work experience with the organization includes a five-year tenure as NMJW Executive Director from 2009 through 2014, when she stepped down from leadership to work part time at the organization to pursue other interests. Her current duties for NMJW include grant writing, bookkeeping, Adult Education curriculum design, and "Under the Stars" program support. Maud holds a degree from the University of New Mexico in History and French and has been a professional musician for over thirty years. She plays bass for several popular Albuquerque bands and does occasional teaching as well.
Artha Meadors, a Burque native, has spent 20 years playing the electric bass guitar across a wide range of genres. As a teenager, he played bass and drums in jazz and rock bands while studying gospel and R&B. During the New Mexico All-State Jazz competition, he received the Louis Armstrong Award for jazz drumming. Artha has a deep passion for all types of music, including metal, country, jazz, gospel, and the avant-garde.
Previously an instructor in the Empowerment Through Music (ETM) Program, Artha is now the Program Coordinator, where he leads efforts to foster music education and empowerment within the community. He has taught the ETM program at several schools in Albuquerque's South Valley, sharing his musical expertise and helping to inspire students.
Krystian has dedicated his career to music education and community engagement. He has been involved in various teaching roles and nonprofit initiatives, helping to develop programs that promote accessibility, creativity, and lifelong learning. Krystian is a classically-trained pianist and immigrated to the US at the age of 11.
In January 2025, Krystian moved to Albuquerque and enjoys reading, crocheting, and hiking with his dog Blanche.
Advisors
Pete Amahl - Musician
Hannah Best - Former Board Member; Hannah Best & Associates
Joe Gabel - Past NMJW Board President, Serafian's Oriental Rugs
Joanie Griffin - Past NMJW Board President, Griffin & Associates
George Koinis - Past NMJW Board President
Glenn Kostur - Former Board Member; University of New Mexico, Director of Jazz Studies
Bobby Shew - Musician
Michael Anthony - Musician
Larry Schwartz - Past NMJW President, Wells Fargo Advisors