CHICAGO VOCAL JAZZ ACADEMY

Hosted at Niles North High School (Skokie)

Join us on Saturday, September 19, 2026!

This one-day vocal jazz workshop (9 AM – 6 PM) will feature:

  • All participants rehearse and perform in the Academy Mass Choir
  • Jazz reading sessions with published music from Anchor Music Publications, independent publishers, and more (Teacher Track only)
  • Breakout sessions of your choice – for both teachers and students
  • A 5:00 PM final concert open to the public, featuring the Academy Mass Choir, selected soloists, and the host school

Teacher Track – Registration includes lunch, publisher reading packets & mass choir music, and access to all teacher and student breakout sessions ($140 per teacher, discounted to $70 if with group). University music majors are encouraged to register for the Teacher Track at a discounted rate!

Student Track – Registration includes lunch, mass choir music, and access to all student breakout sessions ($70 per teacher, discounted to $35 if with group)

GROUP RATES – bring a choir or choirs from your school or organization and SAVE! With your paid school fee, get 50% all teacher and student registration. 

Group rate is $250 per school + $70 per teacher + $35 per student: includes lunch for all! See our calculator to estimate your costs: How much will the workshop cost?

  • Lunch included for all teachers and students
  • Your school can cover all registrations by paying the whole invoice, OR we will provide you with a coupon code so that students & teachers can register at the discounted rate and pay on their own

Hosted by Drew Dahan at Niles North High School.

Get the latest news on the Vocal Jazz Academy Facebook page!

                         ACADEMY SCHEDULE 

9:00 AM – Check-In

  • Check-in and Academy Welcome (light refreshments provided)

9:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Morning Breakout Sessions & Mass Choir Rehearsals

Teacher/Student Breakout Sessions may include:

  • Jazz Solo Singing Workshop 
  • Vocal Technique Workshop
  • Improvisation Workshop
  • Preparing for College & Auditions

12:30 – 1:15 PM – Lunch & Teacher Round Table Discussions

1:15 – 4:45 PM – Afternoon Breakout Sessions & Mass Choir Rehearsals

5:00 – 6:00 PM – Closing Concert!

Open to the public & featuring performances by the Academy Mass Choir, selected soloists, and “Take One” from Niles North HS.

“Graduate Seminar” – hang for Teachers and Staff only, immediately following the conclusion of the Academy

SITE HOSTS

Drew Dahan

Site Host / Breakout Sessions / Mass Choir Director

Take One

Take One (Niles North HS Vocal Jazz)

ACADEMY STAFF (2025)

Alyssa Allgood

Mass Choir Director

Kat Sherman

Breakout Sessions

Katrina Brekke

Operations / Registration Desk

Academy Staff

Additional staff TBA!
Shopping Cart