Milestones Jazz Workshop - The Fall 2026 Session is now full.  Spring registration will open in January 2027.

The Milestones Youth Jazz Workshop offers a jazz education and performance experience for kids of every skill level from 7th though 12th grades. No jazz experience is necessary, but students should have a minimum of one to two years of playing experience on their instrument.

The Milestones program is not designed to teach students how to play their instruments, but rather, to teach them to play jazz.

Students are placed in groups based on experience level and availability to ensure the best possible learning environment.

If you have questions about this, please contact us for more information at JazzFresno@gmail.com.

Schedule

• The next session begins the week of September 28, 2026. Rehearsals are once per week through a ten week session ending the week of December 7, 2026.
• Your rehearsal day/time will be one of the following possibilities.
  • Tuesday 4-6pm
  • Tuesday 6-8pm
  • Wednesday 4-6pm
  • Wednesday 6-8pm
  • Thursday 6-8pm
• Your actual rehearsal day each week will be determined by your placement audition and rehearsal availability.  It is to your benefit to help us understand your availability for each of these time slots.  Availability in multiple time slots increases your chance to be placed in an ensemble.
• Performances:
  • There will be a culminating performance at the end of the session.  Possible dates include December 11 and December 13.  Please check your schedules and advise us of your availability for those dates.
  • There may be an additional performance on November 14 if kids are available.

Weekly rehearsal attendance is important.  This is particularly true for small ensembles because an absence can make it difficult for the rest of the ensemble to have a fruitful rehearsal.  Please do your best to help us understand any conflicts that you have with rehearsal times so that we may assign ensembles accordingly.

Location

Milestones is using space at

United Conservatory of Music and Arts
6759 North First Street, Fresno, CA 93710

The phone number on site is 559/249-2851
The phone number of the Milestones Youth Jazz Workshop Program Director (Bill) is 559/903-0338.

What to expect

Students will play in a fun, supportive small-group setting where they will learn to improvise and play in a group. During the session each combo meets once a week for approximately 90 minutes.  There will be a culminating performance at the end of the last week plus a potential performance at a local food and beverage establishment.  Last session the groups performed at a local jazz jam session for an enthusiastic crowd and we hope to repeat this experience. Other performance opportunities during the session are also possible.

There is also FREE, optional, big band rehearsal opportunity on Saturday mornings for all participants at an alternate site. Complete this interest sheet to get information about the Saturday opportunities that are ongoing and FREE.

Milestones is not intended to replace your school jazz program, but rather to enhance your school jazz program and give you additional experience and jazz skills that your school program may not have time to sufficiently include.

TUITION

• Tuition for the Milestones program is broken into two parts: the registration/audition fee and program tuition. The registration/audition fee is $40 and is due upon registration for the program. This fee is not refundable.

• Tuition for the ten-week Milestones program is $287 ($28.70 per week for a two hour class). This may be paid in a lump sum at registration, or, you may break this into three monthly payments. The tuition for late registrants (if space is available) is prorated.

• For families with more than one student participating in the Milestones program, we offer a $50 discount off the second student’s tuition.

SCHOLARSHIPS

• Need-based assistance is available and we'd like every student who'd like to participate to do so. Inquire at JazzFresno@gmail.com.
• If you are able to contribute to the student scholarship program we thank you in advance.
  • You can contact us via email or contribute via the "Make a Payment
    " button at the top of this page.
  • Enter "Milestones" "Scholarship" as first and last name to properly send your donation to the scholarship fund.

OTHER FUNDRAISING COMMITMENTS

In order to assist us with keeping costs down and tuition at a more affordable level, all Milestones students are asked to assist in the fundraising process. Each student is asked to raise $50 per session.

We make fundraising a simple process, primarily by enlisting our students help in selling tickets to Milestones events to family and friends.

Placement Audition

The audition process helps us place you in the proper ensemble, matching your current skills with peers at a similar level.  Whether you’re a developing student or an advanced improviser, we’re looking for passionate musicians ready to learn, rehearse, and perform.

Please note, placement is based on space availability by instrument and seats are filled on a first-come-first-served basis with priority given to currently registered students.