IOWA VOCAL JAZZ ACADEMY
Hosted at Valley High School (West Des Moines)
Join us on Friday, September 26, 2025!
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 a special performance by the Academy Mass Choir and selected soloists, as well as Valley High 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 ed 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.Â
Group rate is $250 per school + $70 per teacher + $35 per student: includes lunch for all! See our calculator to estimate your costs:Â 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 Heather Nail at Valley High School (West Des Moines)
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 will include topics like:
- Jazz Solo Singing WorkshopÂ
- Vocal Technique in Choral and Jazz SettingsÂ
- Improvisation / Ear Training 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)
“Graduate Seminar” –Â hang for Teachers and Staff only, immediately following the conclusion of the Academy
SITE HOSTS
Heather Nail
Valley HS - Vocalese
Valley HS - Vox
ACADEMY STAFF (2025)
Ian Brekke
Mass Choir Director
Katrina Brekke
Staff TBA
