NMJW offers classes for adults of all ages and skill levels. Our long-running classes offer adults a chance to revisit their passion for music in a supportive setting. With classes ranging from Big Band to Jazz Improvisation to voice studies and beyond, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
All classes will be held at New Mexico Jazz office, 5500 Lomas Blvd. NE., unless otherwise specified. New Mexico Jazz members receive discounted tuition rates.
Your spot in a class is not guaranteed until we receive tuition payment. Due to the popularity of certain courses, tuition is due at time of registration, unless arrangements have been made. You are welcome to pay online, call the office to make a payment over the phone, or mail/bring a check to the office at 5500 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 87110.
If mailing or bringing a check please email so we can secure your spot.
To get on a waitlist, please email . (If you were on a waitlist for a particular class that is being offered again, you get priority to sign up for the next round.)
Adult Education Classes
Class payments will be refunded in-full minus a 10% admin fee before the first class, no refunds given after a class starts.
Big Band Jazz
Instructor: Henry Estrada
Wednesdays, 6-7:30 pm
10 weeks: February 5 - April 9
$145 general | $130 NMJW members
Love big band jazz music? This class is for you! From playing a variety of great tunes to navigating your way through chord changes and solo sections, this class will have you wailing at the final performance!
Proficient music reading skills required.
Final performance will be held on the final day of class.
Trumpeter Henry Estrada was band director at Los Lunas High School for over 30 years and is a member of the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra. He was named Outstanding Music Educator by the National Federation of State High School Music Educators Association and was inducted into the New Mexico Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.
Continuing Jazz Guitar--now 8 weeks!
Instructor: Michael Anthony
New Mexico Jazz Workshop, 5500 Lomas NE
Mondays, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
8 Weeks: February 3 - March 24
$125 general | $115 NMJW members
This class explores the art, challenges, and the fun of improvising jazz on the guitar. It includes learning tunes and related scales, arpeggios, chord forms and comping. Students will also study phrasing examples, which express the language of jazz as well as techniques to facilitate these ideas along with ear training. For hands-on experience, a portion of class time will be spent jamming on material learned in class. Please bring an acoustic guitar, if possible (or electric with a small amplifier), a note pad and pencil.
Michael Anthony is a musician’s musician. Throughout the sixties and seventies, Michael Anthony built his reputation and his chops as a professional studio musician in Los Angeles and was a second generation member of the famed "Wrecking Crew". Michael has recorded and performed with: Tony Bennett, Nelson Riddle, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mandel, The Beach Boys, Peggy Lee, Diana Ross (Do You Know Where You're Going To, Theme From Mahogany), Barbara Streisand and the LA Philharmonic under Zuben Meta. Today, Michael Anthony applies his talent and his experience as a musician in the realm of education, teaching guitar workshops and master classes on both the secondary and university levels.
Exploring Improvisation & Multi-Style Techniques on Violin
Instructor: Robb Janov
Tuesdays, 6:00-7:30 PM
6 Weeks: February 4 - March 11
Cost: $95 general | $80 NMJW members
Take your violin playing to the next level in this course focused on improvisation and multi-style techniques for contemporary music. Designed for intermediate to advanced classical/traditional violinists, this course offers an unintimidating, deep dive into modern violin techniques including strum bowing, chopping and improvisation. A step-by-step approach to improvisation will empower participants to build confidence and ‘Fear No Note’! The course will also explore the exciting possibilities of going electric, using effects and amplification to enhance your sound and creativity.
Who should enroll: Intermediate to advanced classical/traditional violinists who are interested in expanding their musical world.
Robb Janov, multistyles violinist, educator, composer and actor, is the creator of the national award-winning “Rock and Rhythm” program, which emboldens and inspires underserved public school students through innovative music education. The 25-year program’s success, featured on the PBS Newshour, Colores, and local newscasts, has served as a model for other music programs throughout the country. Robb mesmerizes live audiences with electric violin and vocal ‘live-looping’ performances and joyful grooves. His background includes performances with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Indiana University’s orchestras.
Jazz Singing
Instructor: Patty Stephens
Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 PM
8 Weeks: February 6 - March 27
Cost: $185 general | $170 NMJW members
Students will spend eight weeks exploring the art of Jazz Singing, song form, vocal technique, dynamics and presentation. These sessions will help you as a singer to make music with other musicians. The class culminates on the eighth session in a recital with a pianist. All levels of singers are welcome to join in this fun, safe class.
Patty Stephens teaches voice from her private studio as well as being a faculty member at NMJW. She teaches music classes to pre-schoolers and has developed a wonderful program of community music-making for families with infants and toddlers. Patty is lead singer in Bert Dalton’s award winning band, “The Brazil Project”.
Contemporary Vocal Technique
Instructor: Diane Richardson
Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 PM
6 Weeks: April 3 - May 8
Cost: $120 general | $110 NMJW members
There is no single correct way to speak or sing. Contemporary Vocal Technique is not about competition, but about acquiring knowledge and understanding of how your voice works. Improve your singing and confidence. Learn to identify and balance vocal registers. Support your own vocal health by learning techniques to protect your voice from misuse and overuse. Join an ensemble designed to address the basic elements of vocal technique: breath management, intonation, tone quality, and phrasing. You sing best when your sound feels easy to produce.
Diane Richardson holds a DMA from USC, an MM from the Boston Conservatory, and a BM from Berklee College of Music. Her recordings and performances include A Tribute to Abbey Lincoln; Berklee Sun Ra Arkestra; SingusMingus: A Jazz Lieder Program, The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington, and African American Spirituals and Arts Songs. Diane Richardson is recently retired from her position of Assistant Chair/Professor, Voice Department, at Berklee College of Music.
Jazz Improvisation
Instructor: Micky Patten
NM Jazz Workshop, 5500 Lomas NE
Mondays, 6:00-7:30 PM
6 weeks: March 31 - May 5
$95 general | $80 NMJW members
Our Improv class is about developing your sound, relaxing and playing with others. We’ll address topics like harmony, rhythm and form and you will immediately apply them by playing with a rhythm section.
Micky Patten has a degree in music from the University of Minnesota and did graduate work in Jazz Studies at Oakland University. He is a working bassist and was owner of Grandma’s Music and Sound for over thirty years.
REAL BOOK JAM
Saturdays: 10:30 am-noon and noon-1:30 pm (two sessions)
$5.00 drop-in fee
Jam Coordinator: Lisa Nichols
In person (at NMJW, 5500 Lomas Blvd. NE)
