Welcoming an all-star faculty of instructors and Juno-award-winning performers, the new Jazz Department seeks to open up the world of this great music by inviting students of all levels and musical disciplines. Whether a young or seasoned jazz player, a beginner, or a classically-trained player who wants to dive into the world of jazz, the new jazz department is a safe, welcoming and exuberant learning environment to help students explore their creativity and find their ‘groove’. Take a package of lessons alternating between jazz and classical, join a combo, and learn how to improvise or gain a deeper understanding of jazz’s rich history and its most important players. Jazz Instructors Jazz Composition and Arranging: Bill Coon† Jazz Band Director: Steve Kaldestad Vocal Jazz Ensemble Director: Kelly Proznick Jazz Piano: Miles Black† Jillian Lebeck† Dan Reynolds Chris Sigerson Jazz Guitar: Bill Coon† Daryl Jahnke Jazz Winds and Brass: James Danderfer (saxophones, clarinet) Chris Davis (trumpet) Steve Kaldestad (saxophones) Rod Murray (trombone) Kent Wallace† (trumpet) Jazz Drums and Percussion: Jesse Cahill Joe Poole Jazz Bass Jodi Proznick† (Department Chair) Jazz Vocals: Steve Maddock Jennifer Scott† (Jazz Vocals, Vocal Improvisation) Jazz Theory and History: Alan Matheson (Jazz History) Jodi Proznick (Practical Jazz Theory) †Juno-nominated or award-winning artists.
