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. 

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 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 Workshop 
  • Vocal Technique in Choral and Jazz Settings 
  • 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” – hang for Teachers and Staff only, immediately following the conclusion of the Academy

SITE HOSTS

Heather Nail

Iowa Site Coordinator

Valley HS - Vocalese

Host Ensemble

Valley HS - Vox

Host Ensemble

ACADEMY STAFF (2025)

Ian Brekke

Academy Board Member
Mass Choir Director

Katrina Brekke

Operations / Registration Desk

Staff TBA

Breakout Sessions
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