Essential Skills for Jazz Vocalists with Darelle Holden had a very positive, playful and supportive learning environment. It truly felt like the teacher cares about her students’ success, and I appreciated how the instructor made sure to cover the fundamentals of jazz music theory for absolute beginners. The highlight of this class was an opportunity to rehearse with a band and even to perform on stage!
Essential Skills For Jazz Vocalists
This class will meet weekly on Mondays running June 23rd - August 25th with performances on August 29th.
Led by award winning Seattle vocalist Darelle Holden, this 10-week, in-person course is designed for vocalists seeking to explore the fundamentals of jazz singing and performance. Through a blend of theory, technique, and practice, students will learn the essentials of jazz phrasing, interpretation, improvisation and scat singing, along with building their own repertoire.
Students will gain familiarity with classic jazz standards, understand the historical and cultural development of vocal jazz music and the role of the singer in a jazz ensemble.
The course also includes guidance on working with accompanists, building stage presence, basic vocal technique and gaining confidence in a live performance setting. Students will have the opportunity sing and apply all concepts in a supportive environment and have fun doing it!
Open to singers of all levels, this course provides a supportive environment to develop confidence and authenticity as a jazz vocalist. No prior experience is required.
Course Objectives
- Understand the historical and cultural development of vocal jazz music.
- Develop fundamental jazz vocal techniques, including phrasing, rhythm and improvisation.
- Learn to interpret and perform a standard jazz repertoire.
- Explore improvisational techniques and basic scat singing.
- Learn mic technique, repertoire building, and basic vocal technique.
- Gain confidence in live performance setting.
- Have Fun!
Additional Information
- Each student will choose 3 Jazz Standards to work on throughout the 10 weeks.
- Students should come with an audio version of their songs. Audio versions can include Karaoke tracks, iReal tracks, etc.
- Be prepared to sing and have fun.
- Bring water.
- Bring a mic. (optional)
This is a 10 week course meeting in person once a week for 90 minutes.
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Beginning, intermediate, or advanced
Jazz Night School is a vibrant and welcoming community-based nonprofit music education program that is home to hundreds of like-minded learners. Our school offers great opportunities to meet other dedicated jazz students and artists. Whatever your skill level, we have a place for you.
Schedule a skills assessment
We strongly encourage all new students to schedule a complimentary skills assessment so we can help you figure out the best place to start.
What is it like to learn with us?
As a student at Jazz Night School, you'll be part of a friendly, supportive community that shares a love and deep appreciation for jazz music in all its various forms. Your development as a musician is our primary educational goal. Whatever your skill level, our program can help you improve your musicianship and discover your own unique musical voice. For new students, we provide a complimentary introductory session that includes a skills assessment. This session gives you a chance to share your goals and interests and helps us point you to the most appropriate offerings. Each quarter we offer a wide variety of classes and workshops on improvisation, harmony, ear-training, and specialized topics. Our online classes feature lots of discussion and opportunity for questions and answers. There are no grades at Jazz Night School; rather, instructors give each student individual feedback on an ongoing basis. Everyone's effort is valued. When public health restrictions are relaxed, we will return to offering group ensemble opportunities that culminate in a short performance at a local nightclub. This is a fun-filled evening where friends and family come to applaud student efforts and cheer them on to new heights of musical expression!
We understand that most of our students have important life commitments such as work and family. There may be days that you have to deal with a sick child or a pressing work deadline and you aren't able to put in as much practice time as you would have liked. We get it. Our goal is to support your musical aspirations at whatever pace you are able to sustain at this time in your life.
Instructors
Jazz Night School instructors are some of the finest musicians and educators in Seattle’s vibrant jazz community. Some have learned their art through old school traditions and others have studied at premier institutions such as Berklee College of Music, Eastman, Indiana University, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, and University of Miami.
All Jazz Night School policies must be adhered to for enrollment, policies can be found here.