The future of music, made here.

NEC Students and Faculty Teach and Perform at the 21st Panama Jazz Festival

January 25, 2024

Panama Jazz Festival

NEC students, faculty, and alumni finished up six days of teaching and making music in Panama City during the 21st annual Panama Jazz Festival.

For over a decade, NEC’s Jazz Studies department and Community Performances & Partnerships (CPP) program have partnered with the Panama Jazz Festival to create an exciting experience for NEC jazz and classical musicians. During the six-day festival, faculty and students from jazz and chamber ensembles, including NEC’s graduate piano trio-in-residence, Trio Gaia, taught classes, participated in workshops, attended performances, and took the stage themselves. For NEC students, the festival is a chance to receive the kind of mentorship and training that will support their growth as educators and global music citizens.

Scroll through for a photo recap of the 21st annual Panama Jazz Festival.

Julia Connor ’16 MM (left), NEC’s graduate piano trio-in-residence Trio Gaia (middle), and NEC faculty mentor Tanya Maggi, Dean of Community Engagement and Professional Studies (right), led the Intercambio de Musica Clasica at the Panama Jazz Festival.
Julia Connor ’16 MM (left), NEC’s graduate piano trio-in-residence Trio Gaia (middle), and NEC faculty mentor Tanya Maggi, Dean of Community Engagement and Professional Studies (right), led the Intercambio de Musica Clasica at the Panama Jazz Festival.
Guitarist Sebastian Fuentes ’26 DMA teaches a class.
Guitarist Sebastian Fuentes ’26 DMA teaches a class.
Drummer Carlo Kind ’25 MM teaches a class.
Drummer Carlo Kind ’25 MM teaches a class.
Yi-Mei Templeman ’22, ’23 GD, ’24 MM, cellist of Trio Gaia, teaches students.
Yi-Mei Templeman ’22, ’23 GD, ’24 MM, cellist of Trio Gaia, teaches students.
Trio Gaia, Julia Connor ’16 MM, and jazz students Carlo Kind ’25 MM, Daniel Mayer ’25 MM, Lenka Molcanyiova ’25 MM, and Sebastian Fuentes ’26 DMA at Gala Night.
Trio Gaia, Julia Connor ’16 MM, and jazz students Carlo Kind ’25 MM, Daniel Mayer ’25 MM, Lenka Molcanyiova ’25 MM, and Sebastian Fuentes ’26 DMA at Gala Night.
Andrew Barnwell ’20, ’23 MM, ’24 GD, pianist in Trio Gaia, teaches a student.
Andrew Barnwell ’20, ’23 MM, ’24 GD, pianist in Trio Gaia, teaches a student.
Saxophonist Lenka Molcanyiova ’25 MM teaches a class.
Saxophonist Lenka Molcanyiova ’25 MM teaches a class.
Alumna Julia Connor ’16 MM teaches students.
Alumna Julia Connor ’16 MM teaches students.
Carlo Kind ’25 MM, Lenka Molcanyiova ‘25 MM, Daniel Mayer ‘25 MM, Danilo Pérez (founder and artistic director of the Panama Jazz Festival), and NEC Jazz Studies Co-Chair Ken Schaphorst with Ellen Argyros.
Carlo Kind ’25 MM, Lenka Molcanyiova ‘25 MM, Daniel Mayer ‘25 MM, Danilo Pérez (founder and artistic director of the Panama Jazz Festival), and NEC Jazz Studies Co-Chair Ken Schaphorst with Ellen Argyros.
NEC jazz students leading a jam session at Villa Agustina in Panama.
NEC jazz students leading a jam session at Villa Agustina in Panama.
NEC jazz quintet performing in the City of Knowledge in Panama.
NEC jazz quintet performing in the City of Knowledge in Panama.
Trumpeter Richard Stanmeyer ’24 MM teaches a class.
Trumpeter Richard Stanmeyer ’24 MM teaches a class.
Julia Connor ’16 MM, Trio Gaia, and Tanya Maggi at the Panama Jazz Festival Artist Reception.
Julia Connor ’16 MM, Trio Gaia, and Tanya Maggi at the Panama Jazz Festival Artist Reception.
Students of the Intercambio de Musica Clasica.
Students of the Intercambio de Musica Clasica.
recent news
Juliano Aniceto

May 7, 2025

For Conductor Juliano Aniceto, Music is About Escaping Limitations

Read More
Prudence Steiner

May 5, 2025

New England Conservatory Community Mourns the Passing of Prudence Steiner

Read More
Mimi Stillman

May 2, 2025

Flutist Mimi Stillman to Return to NEC Prep for Tribute Performance 

Read More
  • Juliano Aniceto

    May 7, 2025

    For Conductor Juliano Aniceto, Music is About Escaping Limitations

  • Prudence Steiner

    May 5, 2025

    New England Conservatory Community Mourns the Passing of Prudence Steiner

  • Mimi Stillman

    May 2, 2025

    Flutist Mimi Stillman to Return to NEC Prep for Tribute Performance 

  • Alumnu Speaker and Marshals

    May 1, 2025

    Meet the Alumni Speaker and Marshals for NEC’s 2025 Commencement

  • Early Childhood Education

    April 28, 2025

    NEC’s Early Childhood Education Program Showcased in Studio Session

  • Alyssa Peterson

    April 25, 2025

    Double-Bassist Alyssa Peterson ’25 Finds Her Voice Raising Awareness About Injury Prevention