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
FULL SLOTS: Bass, Guitar, Keys, Drums
Instructor: Henry Estrada
Wednesdays, 6-7:30 pm
10 weeks: September 11 - November 13
$145 general | $130 NMJW members
FULL SLOTS: Bass, Guitar, Keys, Drums
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 and an audition may be required for certain chairs.
Final performance will be held on the final day of class at the Dirty Bourbon.
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
Instructor: Michael Anthony
New Mexico Jazz Workshop, 5500 Lomas NE
Mondays, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
6 Weeks: September 9 - October 14
$95 general | $80 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.
Latin Percussion
Instructor: Ricky Carrido
Tuesdays, 6:00-7:30 PM
8 Weeks: September 10 - October 29
Cost: $125 general | $110 NMJW members
This popular class focuses on hand exercises & techniques for comfortably playing of rhythms and poly-rhythms from Cuba, Puerto Rico & Brazil. Study handouts, some drums & other percussion instruments will be provided. Conga drum required. Designed for beginners & new players!
Ricardo Carrido has studied Latin percussion and conga as a student of his father, Romeo Carrido, as well as Afro-Cuban traditional music from the age of three. Ricky was very fortunate to take his studies to another level learning with a lot of master drummers from Cuba. He maintains a private teaching studio and performs regularly with such groups as Nosotros, Son Como Son, and Calle 66.
Jazz Singing (Full; WAITLIST ONLY)
Instructor: Patty Stephens
Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 PM
8 Weeks: September 19 - November 7
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”.
Jazz Improvisation
Instructor: Micky Patten
NM Jazz Workshop, 5500 Lomas NE
Mondays, 6:00-7:30 PM
6 weeks: October 21 - November 25
$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)
