Performances + Events
Jazz Lab: Workshop for Adults
June 21 – June 27, 2026
Rediscover the joy of jazz in a week designed for adult musicians of all backgrounds. Whether you’re a dedicated hobbyist, a music educator, or someone looking to dust off your instrument and play again, this workshop offers the perfect mix of learning, fun, and community. Spend your days making music with supportive peers, rehearsing in small groups, and exploring new ideas with inspiring NEC faculty and guest artists.
More information about the Summer 2026 program is coming soon.
Learn More about Jazz Lab
2025 Jazz Lab Faculty
Henrique Eisenmann, Piano
Ken Schaphorst, Trumpet/Composition
Subject to change.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition: $1950
Registration/Application Fee: $50
Housing and Meals: $1250
Jazz Lab tuition includes all programmatic activities for Jazz Lab 2025. Participants can choose to commute as day students or board on NEC’s campus in double-occupancy rooms in the NEC Student Life and Performance Center dormitories, which are modern living spaces with incredible city views. Additional evening activities are planned for boarding students.
Housing includes all meals for the week. Day students can purchase a meal plan for the week.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop welcomes a range of musicians with varying levels of jazz experience. If you’re a band director teaching jazz as part of your curriculum but don’t have extensive experience in the genre, this program will provide valuable insights and hands-on learning.
We also welcome avocational players who have a basic understanding of improvisation but may not consider themselves experts. Players and educators with advanced skills in Jazz will also find plenty of new opportunities to learn in this program.
However, this program is not designed for complete beginners on an instrument. Participants should have foundational playing skills and some familiarity with jazz concepts to fully engage in the experience.
Daily Schedule
Learn what to expect from each day at Jazz Lab! Please note that this schedule is subject to change.
| 9–10 a.m. | Instrumental Class | Students will meet with their instrumental faculty for a group workshop on their preferred instrument. |
| 10:15–11:30 a.m. | Small Ensemble | Students are placed into small ensembles based on a placement interview where faculty assess the best ensemble fit for each participant. Ensembles are made to place musicians together based on level. |
| 11:3a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Practice Time | Time to practice music from small ensembles and work on their instrument. |
| 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Lunch in The Green Room Café, NEC’s on-campus dining hall. |
| 1:45–2:45 p.m. | Elective Class | Elective classes include improvisation workshops, composition/music writing, and advanced rhythmic training. |
| 3–4:15 p.m. | Master Class | Each day a different faculty or guest artist will give a master class on a range of topics. |
| 4:15–6 p.m. | Free Time & Private Lessons | More time to practice, hang out, or take a private lesson. |
| 6–7 p.m. | Dinner | Dinner in The Green Room Café. |
| 8 p.m. | Evening Concert & Group Hang | Faculty concerts each night, including off-campus concerts at Boston Jazz clubs. |
