The Mission of Portland Jazz School:
To make music improvisation accessible to everyone, and to help students actualize their fullest musical potential.
WHY ATTEND PORTLAND JAZZ SCHOOL?
Whether you aspire to be a professional jazz musician, want to increase your likelihood of earning a college music scholarship, or simply want to play music for fun, Portland Jazz School is for you!
We welcome musicians of all skill levels who would like to increase their musical knowledge and learn to improvise, including:
Middle school students
High school students
Adults
Music educators
Amateurs and professionals
Ear Training
Aural Skills
Music Theory
Scale Proficiency
Shapes of Sounds
Jazz Patterns
Jazz Solo Transcriptions
Perform with your band
Play at jam sessions
Sit in with other bands
Write, arrange and produce your own music
Teach others the skills you have learned
WORLD CLASS INSTRUCTION
Portland Jazz School was founded in 2017 by Derek Sims, creator of the “Alpha Shapes Method” of improvisation. Derek has been a professional jazz trumpeter for the past 25 years, and a music educator for more than 20 years – including 10 years as the Director of Jazz at the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. Derek is the Adjunct Professor of Jazz Trumpet and the Jazz Band Director at Portland State University, the Music Director for The Incredible Journey of Jazz, and a clinician and faculty member of the Mel Brown Summer Jazz Camps.
If you prefer to study in your own time and at your own speed then one of our online video lessons may be right up your street.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
STUDENT PERFORMANCES
Portland Jazz School
Become Part of Derek’s Portland Jazz School to Further Your Jazz Improvisation Skills.
