Jazz Lab is a week-long creative music program unlike anything you’ve ever done. Musicians, aged 13-19, work with world-class faculty and guest artists in small ensembles, instrumental workshops, masterclasses, and enjoy incredible performances.
Jazz Lab 2024: June 30 - July 6
"Absolutely an incredible experience with insanely talented and warm staff and such an inspiring group of young musicians."
Students form a community centered around musical experimentation and creativity, all under the guidance of incredible educators from around the world. Jazz Lab faculty include college professors from New England Conservatory, The Juilliard School, Berklee College of Music, MIT, Hartt School of Music, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and more. All students will be placed in small ensembles based on an in-person audition during the welcome process on Sunday, June 30. There will be elective courses throughout the week, as well as instrument-specific workshops, jam sessions, and faculty concerts each evening.
We accept students (aged 13-19) who play any instrument - including strings, mallets, auxiliary percussion, or other non-traditional jazz instruments. Students must be turning 13 years old on or before June 30, 2024 to participate in the program as an on-campus boarding student. Click here to view the Jazz Lab 2024 Program Guide.
Jazz Lab TUITION AND FEES
Tuition: $1500
Housing and meals: $975
Day Student Lunch and Dinner Fee: $87
Health Fee: $40
*Students have the option of choosing to be a day student or boarding student in our state of the art NEC dormitory located in the heart of Boston. Additional evening activities are planned for boarding students.*
Additional Night(s) Stay to accommodate early arrival June 29, or late departure July 7: $135/night
Application Deadline: April 28, 2024
*Jazz Lab Tuition includes all programmatic activity for Jazz Lab 2024. Day students and Housing students welcome. Housing students will stay in double occupancy rooms in the NEC Student Life and Performance Center dormitories - state-of-the-art living spaces located in the heart of Boston with incredible views of the city. Housing includes all meals for the week (dinner on June 30, and Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, July 1-5, and Breakfast on July 6) - day students can purchase a meal plan for the week (Dinner on June 30, and Lunch and Dinner, July 1-5).*
Financial aid opportunities are available for accepted students.
For answers to questions regarding Jazz Lab, the application, or anything further, please contact our team at summer@necmusic.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's Jazz Lab like?
“…it gave me a whole new dimension to my playing.” ~ “one of the best things I’ve done in music.” ~ “I was so close with everyone I didn’t want to leave.”
It’s all that and more. Take a look at what past participants say about their experience, and view the program guide to see sample courses and schedules.
Who can participate?
We accept students at all levels - from those getting started to conservatory-level musicians. Jazz Lab is open to students aged 13-19 from all around the US and abroad looking to take their abilities to the next level. In 11 years of Jazz Lab, we have helped hundreds of students reach their goal of attending a conservatory or school of music.
Who will be teaching at Jazz Lab 2024?
Teaching artists and guest artists for 2024 will be announced throughout the year. View the program guide to see some of our core faculty, and stay tuned for announcements in early 2024.
Where is Jazz Lab 2024?
Jazz Lab 2024 returning home to New England Conservatory in summer 2024. Make New England Conservatory your home for the week. Located in the heart of Boston, NEC is the nation’s oldest independent school of music. Jazz Lab students will have access to NEC's historic campus, which includes the state-of-the-art Student Life and Performance Center and incredible performance spaces.
Are there auditions?
There is no audition or prescreening required to register for Jazz Lab. Any student aged 13-19 is able to register. When they arrive at Jazz Lab on June 30, students will have a brief audition for ensemble placement.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes! We offer need-based scholarships. You will find information in our application link. For any questions, contact summer@necmusic.edu
I'm from out of town, how do I get to Jazz Lab @ NEC?
The city of Boston is served by Boston Logan International Airport (BOS). Logan airport is a major hub, and there are plenty of flights in and out of the city each day. For students who need to arrive a day before Jazz Lab (June 29), and/or stay a day after the program ends (departing July 7), we have extra nights stay available as an option at registration. Once students arrive at BOS, travel to New England Conservatory is easy. NEC is accessible via public transit - plan your trip from the airport using this website (click here), or using Rideshare App or Taxi.
