We are very excited to announce that we are adding an Introduction to Improvisation/Music Theory starting TODAY @ 4:00pm! Check out the message below from the owner of the Center, Liz Sander. For more information about course offerings and all other goings on at the Center visit the Course Schedule and Registration pages!  Also, don’t forget to like us on Facebook @ Westchester Center for Jazz & Contemporary Music and follow us on Instagram @jazzcenteryonkers.

 

Thank You to everyone who came out to support the Center at this year’s Yonkers Riverfest. For those who missed it, here are some highlights!

I am very excited to announce that in addition to the Senior Ensemble (which is predominantly high school/college students), we are now starting a Middle School Jazz Ensemble as well as a Young People’s program.  These programs will meet weekly under the direction of Joey Berkley.

I expect the Young People’s program to be appropriate for 4th-6th graders and the Middle School Jazz Ensemble for 6th-9th graders.  6th graders placement would depend on the ability.

There is no charge in January.

Yonkers Residents get a 30% discount.

Tuition for the Young People’s Program is $75 per month/ $50 for Yonkers; Jazz Ensemble is $145 per month/ $100 for Yonkers.

 

A description of these programs is as follows:

6:00PM-7:00PM: Young People’s Program- For young muscicians just starting out or with little band experience.  All instruments welcome.  Program includes ensemble reading, introduction to improvisation, music theory, and music history.

7:00PM-8:30PM: Jazz Ensemble B*- Students in Jazz Ensemble B usually have one to three years of playing experience, and may not have prior experience playing in ensembles.  Ability to read notes and basic knowledge of key signatures, scales, etc.  Typically students have been in middle school and early high school.

We look forward to you joining us!

the-westchester-center-for-jazz-and-contemporary-music-2016-open-house

Latest Video – Teaching at the Center / School Outreach

 

ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN

Check out our schedule on the Course Schedule Tab.

Thursday May 12, 2016:  Another great article in the Westchester Guardian.

Thanks to Joe Griffith for taking the time to come and visit.

Westchester Guardian Article

April 25, 2016 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
540 Nepperhan Avenue Yonkers, NY 10701
(914) 523-3672

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music, Yonkers (YoHo)

Thursday May 12, 2016. 2pm
Mayor Mike Spano To Attend
Debut Performance By Joey Berkley’s Bandits

The Westchester Center For Jazz And Contemporary Music is pleased to announce it will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its just completed 1,700 square foot space in the historic Alexander Smith Carpet Mills Complex in Yonkers, located at 540 Nepperhan Ave.

The space has undergone $240,000 in renovations and includes a performance stage, audience seating and a lounge.

The building is also home to the YoHo Artist collective a diverse group of over 75 artists practicing their crafts.

Mayor Spano is scheduled to be on hand to offer a few remarks and to assist in the ribbon-cutting.

“We’re delighted Mayor Spano has agreed to join our celebration.” said Liz Sander.

Beginning in May, The Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music will offer ensemble programs for musicians of all ages and skill levels, as well as courses in theory, jazz improvisation and composition. Programs at the Center are expected to cost about $145 per month. The Center will offer scholarships for those in financial need.

After searching the area for a jazz ensemble program that would challenge their sons, Paul and Elizabeth Sander decided to create their own program and formed The Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music. The Sanders then appointed Joey Berkley, a successful professional musician and educator with a career spanning over 30 years, to be the Center’s director.

“Having seen Joey work with both teenagers and adults, he has an unique ability to engage and challenge students to achieve their best. The first time I saw him teach, I knew immediately this was the person I wanted to work with” Liz said.

The school’s ensembles directed by Berkley will also include professionals from his bands to participate and contribute to the teaching process. One of the key components of the Center’s programs is to bring in professionals to share their experience and advice while playing alongside the students, helping them to sharpen their skills.

Brought up as a jazz musician firmly rooted in the tradition of Coltrane, Miles, and Monk, Joey developed his own sound by incorporating these influences. Berkley’s career as a tenor saxophonist, recording artist has evolved through a variety of stages: first as an in-demand sideman; to the founder/leader of various bands including Joey Berkley Quartet (JB4), Funkasaurus Rex, Four Good Reeds and the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, to present day band, Joey Berkley’s Bandits.

In May, Joey Berkley’s Bandits will release their self-titled album. The Center will be sponsoring a series of performances in the Tri-State area celebrating the album’s release; the first being at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Liz Sander is executive vice president and chief actuary at Odyssey Reinsurance Co. in Stamford, Ct. Paul Sander is a former software development professional who is a teacher and doctoral candidate in theology at Fordham. The Center is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a national nonprofit arts organization which is able to accept tax deductible donations on the Centers behalf.

“This is our way of giving back to the community and supporting the arts” says Liz.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Paul Orescan
paulorescan@me.com
(818) 749 7014

We’re very excited about our first interview with Westchester Business Journal.  Looking forward to more good news to come, and watching construction near completion:

Bedford couple opening music center at Yonkers Carpet Mills

We are very excited to have started our outreach program with a workshop at Pearls Hawthorne School in Yonkers. It was great to see the students working directly alongside with the professionals , and to have the entire school get to enjoy  a morning assembly of great jazz music.