The Nash Education Programs

The Nash Education Programs offers Student Jazz Ensembles, Jazz DivAZ, Legacy Ensembles, The Nash Big Band, Futures Ensemble, Nash Futures Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Masterclasses & Clinics, Intro to Combo Playing, and Adult Jazz Combos. Activities include learning jazz improvisation, rehearsing weekly, performing live, composing, arranging, and playing in combo and big band settings.

Programs

• Student Jazz Ensembles — Group music classes that help students learn the musical language of improvisation from professional musicians.
• Jazz DivAZ — Designed to teach young female musicians the basic skills of jazz improvisation in a nurturing environment.
• Legacy Ensembles — Instruction for talented high school jazz students in combo environment, improvising, composing, arranging, and performing.
• The Nash Big Band — An auditioned high school jazz ensemble open to all talented high school students.
• Futures Ensemble — 10-17 · Introductory program for students ages 10-17 to learn the essential elements and skills of jazz.
• Nash Futures Vocal Jazz Ensemble — Weekly · Singers rehearse weekly and culminate with live public performances.
• Masterclasses & Clinics — all ages · Jazz students of all ages have access to educational and inspirational encounters with professionals.
• Intro to Combo Playing — Adult class for musicians who want basic tools to play in a combo with others.
• Adult Jazz Combos — beyond the age of 18 · Semester · Auditioned adult groups that learn classic repertoire and perform at The Nash at the end of the semester.

At a glance

• Ages: 10–18 years old

About the provider

The Nash offers dynamic music courses for children, teens and adults, with improvisation-based instruction from top professional jazz musicians in the greater Phoenix area. Its leadership team includes Dr. Clark Gibson, Education Director; Mary Petrich, Instructor; Christina Hall, Instructor, The Nash Jazz Vocal Ensemble; Eric Rasmussen, Instructor, The Nash Legacy Ensembles; and Beth Lederman, Instructor, Futures Ensemble. Its programs for students in schools throughout the Greater Phoenix area cultivate the next generation of jazz musicians.

Last updated August 31, 2026.