Jazz Piano Teaching

The Jazz Piano Teaching Certificate provides insight into playing jazz piano and the required bouquet of skills - improvisation, knowledge of voicings, rhythmic expertise in swing and Latin styles, knowledge of accompanying, familiarity with solo piano styles, and more. Through the three required courses, each pianist will learn these skills hands-on through focused and intensive courses with the end goal of expertly performing five jazz pieces in contrasting styles. Through the restrictive elective courses, each pianist chooses how to hone and sharpen their skills, whether rehearsing and performing as part of a group, expanding their knowledge of theory or history, or pursuing a specialty in improvisation. By the time they earn their certificate, the pianist will be qualified to teach a jazz-interested student. This certificate requires a total of 8-10 units of required courses and restricted electives. A grade of C or better is required for all courses taken.