The Loft School of Jazz is a place where talented and enthusiastic young musicians have the opportunity to advance their improvisation, ensemble and musicianship skills, and broaden their musical horizons with the guidance of an exceptional and devoted faculty at The Jazz Loft.
In the jazz program, students develop their collaborative and performance skills with repertoire specifically selected to challenge the group and its individuals. Through the jazz theory curriculum, students acquire understanding of the foundations of music theory and aural skills, and achieve greater musical literacy. The ensemble and musicianship classes are supplemented with listening sessions, performance classes, interactive workshops, and performances by guest artists from around the world. Students also gain valuable ensemble experience by participation in the Loft School of Jazz Big Band.
SCHEDULE
All classes meet on Saturdays at The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook Village. A typical day begins at 10:00 AM and concludes at 1:00 PM.
TUITION
Tuition is all-inclusive and covers the cost of concerts and tickets to all events. There are no additional fees or expenses required for the year. Incremental payment plans are available. Tuition is $3,000 per year, per student.
FINANCIAL AID
Need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships are available to qualified families. After acceptance to the program, a separate financial form must be completed.
Free tickets
Jazz Loft, Harbor Jazz Festival and Weekly Jam Session
Throughout the year students and their families have access to exclusive concerts and events at The Jazz Loft. Free year round admission to our weekly Wednesday night jam session, select concert performances and the annual Harbor Jazz Festival, Art of the Guitar Festival celebrating John Monteleone, as well as Jazz Department events on campus at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center.
FACULTY
Dr. Thomas Manuel
Jazz historian, music educator and cornet player Dr. Thomas Manuel holds the endowed Artist in Residence chair within the Jazz department at Stony Brook University. In addition to this he is the Artistic Director of the Loft School of Jazz, is a member of the Huntington Arts Council Decentralization Advisory Committee, is the founder and President of The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook, N.Y., an innovative and creative space which joins jazz performance, jazz preservation and jazz education in celebration of the past, present, and future, and also served as the President for The Institute For New Music. Manuel has been cited for his accomplishments by The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, Newsday, Jazz Inside Magazine, Jazz Ed Magazine and has been actively involved with global educational outreach to Havana, Cuba, Monrovia, Liberia and Port Au Prince, Haiti. Manuel dedicates his professional efforts to both the preservation of Long Island’s jazz history as well as presenting it to future generations and has received several honors for his dedication to the American born art form of Jazz including: Stony Brook Universities 40 Under 40 Award, several Suffolk County Proclamations, the East End Arts & Humanities Council 2020 Music Masters residency, the 2019 Applied Improvisation Network International Conference artist presenter, the 2016 Person of the Year in Brookhaven award from the Times Beacon Record, and has also served as a trustee to the Frank Melville Memorial Foundation.
Mr. Christopher Donohue
Mr. Christopher Donohue graduated from SUNY Purchase College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Performance. Although his primary instruments are the saxophone, flute, and clarinet, Mr. Donohue is an accomplished violinist, vocalist, and pianist.
Mr. Donohue has enjoyed the past 19 years as the Orchestral and Jazz Ensemble director at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School. For the past 13 years, he has been the Chairperson of Performing Arts at SJB. With five choirs, three Orchestras, two Bands, Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Dance, and many music electives he is very proud to oer one of the largest and most diverse private school music programs on Long Island.
Mr. Donohue has had the pleasure of working as a clinician and guest artist with many dierent school districts and colleges such as Nassau Community College, Stony Brook University, Hofstra University, Sayville School District, Patchogue Medford School District, Commack School District, and most recently The East Ends Arts Mentorship Program.
Mr. Donohue actively participates in a variety of regular performance groups such as the Interplay Jazz Orchestra, The Jazz Loft Big Band, and The Phoenix Big Band.