About

jazzcamp


Registration will open on May 1, 2019.
Space is limited and will based on first come first served registration.The 1st annual Bellevue College Summer Vocal Jazz Camp will be held on the campus of Bellevue College from August 12 – 16, 2019. The workshop begins with registration on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. and concludes with a final concert Friday Evening August 16th, 2019, ending at 9 p.m.
All experience levels are welcome, from age 14 – 99! For information on costs, lodging, housing, and other details, please read the information below carefully, including the “FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)” section, which will answer many anticipated questions you may have.

If you have questions about your Registration during or after the process is complete, please contact Thomas Almli at talmli@bellevuecollege.edu or Naeim Rahmani at naeim.rahmani@bellevuecollege.edu

For a 5-day intensive, participants are involved in every aspect of vocal jazz, from solo and ensemble performance to improvisation, pedagogy, songwriting and jazz theory. Educators may attend a daily class devoted to vocal jazz directing, programming, and rhythm sections.

  •  Everyone is placed in ensembles according to their age and experience. (High School/College school through educators and other music professionals. You’ll receive your music and recordings to prepare in advance!) All will participate in the Mass Choir/Large Ensemble.
  • Ensembles rehearse daily, preparing for the Friday evening public concert.
  • Classes in theory and improvisation begin with the basics–everyone solos.
  • Solo coaching sessions prepare singers for their evening solo performances.
  • Music educators will have a session each day with Lead Staff Tom Almli and Kelly Kunz that will focus on topics including repertoire, performance aesthetics, rhythm section and sound reinforcement equipment. Additionally, we will have several Guest Lecturers.
  • Jam sessions to improve improvisation skills with a rhythm section in a “real world” setting.
  • Daily listening sessions to guide participants to both how to listen well and what to listen to for inspiration!
  • Songwriting class offered to those with some proficiency in music theory (tested at registration for the week), taught by Amanda Taylor.

Workshop faculty for 2019 will include:

Tom Almli (Director of Vocal Jazz and Choral Music at Bellevue College, BC Vocal Jazz Camp Director, professional singer/composer/arranger/clinician)
Jeff Baker (Professional singer/educator/composer/arranger/clinician)
Dave Barduhn (Emeritus Director of Vocal Jazz at MHCC, professional pianist/composer/arranger/clinician)
Kelly Kunz (Director of Recording Arts at Bellevue College, professional singer/composer/arranger/clinician)
Nick Moore (Accompanist/Instructor at Bellevue College, professional pianist/vocal coach).
Charlotte Reese (Edmonds Woodway HS Director, professional singer/arranger/clinician)
Amanda Taylor-Kunz (Instructor at Northwest College, professional singer/composer/arranger/clinician)

Frequently Asked Questions

1) How much does it cost to attend the workshop?

  • Tuition: (Note: Tuition does not include meals or housing if needed)
    • Earlybird Registration Fee: $250.00 (Register by June 15, 2019)
    • Regular Registration Fee: $300.00 (After June 15, 2019)
  • Housing: BC Dormitories are available at additional cost – Please enquire if needed.
  • Continuing Education Units Certificate for educators (optional)
  • T-shirt: Included in Tuition

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2) Are meals provided?

Meals are not a part of camp tuition. The Bellevue College cafeteria is open for breakfast and lunch – but not dinner. There are many area restaurants available as well.
Students staying in the dormitories – will have full kitchen facilities in there dorm room so they can bring food, etc.

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3) What is the registration deadline?

July 20, 2019 – is the Registration deadline
August 1, 2019 – is the Full Tuition deadline

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4) Where will I stay while at the workshop?

We do offer housing at the recently opened (2018) Bellevue College Dormitory.
The dorms have several room layout options at a very affordable daily cost. You can choose to room with other camp participants, alone etc. Each Dorm space features a suite or studio layout including bathroom and kitchen. For more information and to make your reservation for BC Housing during camp please go to: BC Housing

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5) If students are staying overnight in the dormitories, are chaperones provided?

Yes – camp staff/counselors are assigned as chaperones to student residents.

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6) Do I have to be there ALL day, EVERY day of the week? What is the daily schedule like?

We request that everyone plan to attend all of every day and night, whether you commute or stay in on-campus housing. The daily schedule is quite full and goes from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. with a variety of activities and breaks for meals and solo performance coaching sessions. You will have a specific daily schedule made available to you after registration.

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7) Are clock hours/continuing education credits available for educators?

YES – continuing Education Credits are available through Bellevue College Continuing Education.

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8) I am a classically-trained singer/educator with very little exposure to jazz so far, but would like to learn more about jazz so I can sing/teach
it; is this workshop for me?

Yes! Although some familiarity with jazz is helpful, all that is required is a desire to learn and a willingness to TRY new things!

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9) I’ve heard that everyone is required to sing solo songs on two evenings of the workshop. I’ve never done that before and don’t think I want do it…can I come anyway and NOT sing on the evening concerts?
We encourage everyone to keep an open mind about this aspect of the workshop…of course, we don’t MAKE anyone do something they absolutely don’t want to do, but we highly encourage you take part in this important component! We really strive to make the experience as non-threatening as possible and encourage people to take risks and be willing to try to do the uncomfortable things that invariably end up being anywhere from “not as scary as I expected” to “that was a BLAST and I can’t wait to do it again!”
Yes! Although some familiarity with jazz is helpful, all that is required is a desire to learn and a willingness to TRY new things!

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10) How can I confirm that my payment has been received?
You will receive a confirmation email from our Music Department administrative assistant Naeim Rahmani.

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For further information Please contact Tom Almli by e-mail at talmli@bellevuecollege.edu or Naeim Rahmani at naeim.rahmani@bellevuecollege.edu

Last Updated December 28, 2023