PHOENIX VOCAL JAZZ ACADEMY

Hosted at Betty Fairfax High School (Phoenix)

Join us for a full Academy on Saturday, August 22, 2026!

This one-day vocal jazz workshop (9 AM – 6 PM) is sponsored by AzACDA and designed for students, teachers, and college or university music students – especially music education majors! 

Features of the workshop:

  • All participants rehearse and perform in the Academy Mass Choir(s)
  • 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 Chris Hughes and Christina Hall at Betty Fairfax High School, sponsored by Arizona ACDA

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

                     SAMPLE ACADEMY SCHEDULE 

9:00 AM – Check-In

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

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

Teacher/Student Breakout Sessions may include:

    • Jazz Solo Singing Workshop 
    • Fundamentals of Live Sound
    • Rhythm Section 101 
    • Vocal Technique in Choral and Jazz Settings 
    • Improvisation Workshop
    • Preparing for College & Auditions
    • Jazz Theory Fundamentals
    • Much more!

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

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

5:00 – 6:00 PM – Closing Concert!

Open to the public & featuring performances by Selected Soloists, Academy Mass Choir, guest performers

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

SITE HOSTS

Chris Hughes

President, Arizona Choral Educators
Site Host

Betty Fairfax Vocal Ensemble

ACADEMY STAFF

Matt Falker

Academy Executive Director
Owner, Anchor Music (San Diego, CA)

Christina Hall

AzACDA Vocal Jazz R&R Chair
The Nash Vocal Jazz Ensembles

Craig Peterson

Mesa Community College
Breakout Sessions

Jessica Falker

Academy Board Member
Operations / Registration Desk
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