Conservatory Jazz Ensemble

Conservatory Jazz Ensemble is an intermediate/advanced learning and performance ensemble for Jazz students, including children and adults. It is a WCEP program hosted at the Santa Monica Conservatory and all prospective participants are invited to immediately pre- register to reserve their spots.

Registration/Orientation is Monday Sept 21, 7:30pm.

Weekly Rehearsals: Mondays,  7:30 – 8:30 pm.

Pre-Register Now

Jazz EnsembleMembers will learn exciting charts and develop music skills such as improvisation, sight reading, and rhythmic development.
Students will also develop invaluable social skills from playing in a structured musical environment with their friends, peers, and professionals! Parents can expect rewarding growth and an ever greater appreciation of music. Our staff will prepare students for school performance levels and help them realize their maximum potential as young musicians.

Registration/Orientation is Monday Sept 14.
Registration starts at 7:30pm at the Santa Monica Conservatory of music and will be followed by orientation for parents and students. Students should bring their instruments.

Weekly Rehearsals
Mondays, 7:30 – 8:30 pm, mid-September to mid-May 2016. First rehearsal is Monday, September 28, 2015.

Tuition
To participate, students should pre-register and pay a $600 tuition fee.  This fee is reduced to $450 for students taking private lessons at the conservatory.
Complete the pre-registration application here to receive more information or to secure your child’s spot in the program.

Location:
The Santa Monica Conservatory of Music
1501 Colorado Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Call/Text: (310)576-3600



Faculty

Tim-Redfield-Santa-Monica-Jazz-BandAlthough classically trained, Tim Redfield discovered Jazz Piano at an early age and it became his passion, and after graduating from North Texas State University with a B.A. in Jazz Performance and moving to L.A., Tim began working with artists from Englebert Humperdinck to Ricky Martin. His touring and production credits include many well known artists of today (Peter White, Richard Elliot, Richard Smith) as well as dozens of theatrical productions. Tim’s body of work in the television commercial world crosses all genres and include clients such as Coke, Disney, Nike, Chevrolet, AT&T and many more, examples of which may be seen on his website, timredfield.com. As a session keyboardist, as well as bandleader for several of L.A.s premier entertainment agencies, Tim is equally at home on stage as in the studio, and on any given day can be seen performing all over the Los Angeles/ Orange County area. Tim enjoys teaching beginning piano to kids as young as 3, and for his more advanced students teaches Jazz Piano and Music Production.


Alec Milstein Jazz ensemble Santa MonicaAlec Milstein began his musical career on the cello at the age of 9, and at age 11 made his concert debut at Grady Gamage hall in Phoenix with the Arizona Cello Society, sharing the stage with none other than Maestro Pablo Casals. By age 13 however, he had switched to bass. His undergraduate studies were completed in three years at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. At age 22, he recieved a Masters degree in Music from the University of Southern California, and was the youngest student ever to recieve the Departmental Award for outstanding graduate student in his department. Mr. Milstein became an adjunct professor at USC for several years, then continued into the private sector for concerts, recording, touring and teaching. He has also appeared on many contemporary and jazz recordings, film soundtracks and television scores, as well as touring with Diana Ross, Bette Midler, and countless other popular music acts.


Zach Neufeld, Santa Monica Jazz bandZach Neufeld received a BM in Music Composition from the University of Redlands in 2010. After graduating, Zach served as a staff accompanist in the School of Music at U of R and a music librarian for the Redlands Symphony. He is active as a freelance classical/jazz pianist and accompanist.

While a student at Redlands, Zach received the Presser Scholar award, the SAI Outstanding Composer Award, and the Jeffrey H. Rickard Endowed Choral Scholarship. He enjoyed performing with the Chapel Singers, University Choir, Madrigals Singers, Studio Jazz Band, Jazz Combos, and the University Orchestra.

Zach is currently pursuing an MA degree in composition at UCLA, where he is a graduate teaching assistant in musicianship and piano accompaniment.


Erick Jovel, Santa Monica Jazz BandBorn and raised in Los Angeles, Erick Jovel is an active freelance musician with versatility ranging from orchestral to jazz and other commercial music. He has performed with orchestra such as the Malaysian Philharmonic, Long Beach Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, Pacific Palisades Symphony, Los Angeles Valley Symphony, Glendale Philharmonic, Riverside Philharmonic, Culver City Chamber Orchestra, Centerstage Opera and several Musical Theatre companies. He also performs with various international latin artist such as Andy Montañez, Tony Vega, Yari Moré, Sonora Dinamita, Sonora Caliente and Orquesta Tabaco y Ron. Erick has participated in the Banff All Star Brass Festival where he performed with world class musicians: Jens Lindemann, Ryan Anthony, Marty Hackleman, Mark Gould, Phil Snedicor, Alain Trudel, Alstair Kay and Pat Sheridan. Erick earned a Bachelor degree in Music Performance from CSUN under the mentorship of David Washburn and a Master of Music Degree from UCLA under the mentorship of Jens Lindemann.


Matthew Pupura, Jazz Band Santa MonicaWith roots from both the Midwest and the San Francisco Bay area, Matthew Purpura has had music in his life since he can remember. With his mother being a classical oboist, Matthew was exposed to music from a young age. His first instrument was flute, and then made the transition to guitar at age twelve. In 2006 Matthew made the move down to Southern California where he was part of the esteemed Applied Music Program at Santa Monica College. He then attended the USC Thornton School of Music (’11) where he was fortunate enough to study a wide range of musical genres from classical to popular music. In his time at USC Matthew studied under Tim Kobza, Steve Travto, Adam Del Monte, Russ Ferrante, Edwin Livingston, and many other great artists. He is the winner of the 2011 Thornton Outreach Ensemble Competition, and currently spends his time teaching and performing in the Los Angeles area. His other interests include long distance cycling trips, surfing, and Mandarin Chinese.


Scott Shiever, Jazz Band Santa MonicaScott Shiever is the Saxophone instructor at the Santa Monica Conservatory of Music. He began playing clarinet at age 12 and started playing saxophone and flute at age 15. He attended Mesa Community College and the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he played numerous professional engagements.

For five years, he played woodwinds on various ocean liners for star acts such as Shirley Jones and Ben Vereen, as well variety acts to numerous to count.

Scott enjoys teaching and has been with the conservatory since 2012.