About
Jazz Hands For Autism offers music-based programs that include the Jazz Hands Concert Series, Jazz Hands Jam Session, Jazz Hands Musicians Academy, Jazz Hands Jobs Program, Jazz Hands Junior Academy, and Jazz Hands Concert. Participants take part in activities such as private music lesson programs, Jam Sessions, vocal and instrumental pieces, studio session opportunities, on stage performance gigs, teaching positions, track and composition placements, audio and sound tech positions, and paid gigs and concerts.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Hours of operation Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm; the Jazz Hands Junior Academy runs in renewable 12-week private music lesson sessions
Jazz Hands For Autism is a 501(c)(3) talent advocacy group that creates pathways to expression, employment and inclusion for musically motivated individuals with autism and other diagnoses. The organization finds its roots in 2014 and hosted the first Jazz Hands Concert on May 25th, 2014. Jazz Hands For Autism is described as a talent advocacy group and provider of individualized music-based training, vocational development and job placement for over 150 musicians with autism, and has served 200+ musicians directly, 1400+ individuals through educators trained, and has offered over 6000 hours of classes and training. The organization reports 230 gigs found and over $52,000 earned by Jazz Hands For Autism musicians.
The Jazz Hands Concert Series is a twice-a-year festival event where musicians on the autism spectrum and other diagnoses of all ages, genres and skill levels share their talents in front of a supportive and diverse audience. The Jazz Hands Jam Sessions take place at the Educational Studio in Culver City, where musicians work together on vocal and instrumental pieces and fine tune their performance pieces in readiness for paid gigs and concerts; Jam Sessions are described as a great way to make new friends, enhance musicality and personal awareness, build confidence and encourage collaboration. The Jazz Hands Musicians Academy is a comprehensive music education and vocational program that provides group and individualized social, professional and musical training tailored to help musicians on the autism spectrum age 18 and older gain access to quality music education and succeed in music-related jobs. Through the Jazz Hands Jobs Program, Jazz Hands For Autism offers music-related job and internship scouting and placement to current and past students of the Jazz Hands Musicians Academy, including internships, mentorships, apprenticeships, studio session opportunities, on stage performance gigs, teaching positions, track and composition placements, and audio and sound tech positions.
The Jazz Hands Junior Academy is designed for school-aged individuals on the autism spectrum ages 8–17, and is a renewable 12-week private music lesson program. Lessons in the Jazz Hands Junior Academy are individualized and taught in-home, in-studio, or via Zoom by Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) trained music teachers, and lessons across programs are taught in-home, in-studio, or via Zoom. The organization’s values are summarized in the acronym T.H.E. M.U.S.I.C: Teamwork, Harnessing the self and talents, Expression, Musicians first, Unity, Support, Inclusivity, Community. The stated 2022 goal is that adults on the autism spectrum are meaningfully employed and integrated into their communities.
Jazz Hands For Autism is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture. The Founder and Executive Director is Dr. Ifunanya Nweke. One participant, Aaron B, describes Jazz Hands as giving him an opportunity to perform with others on the spectrum, to look back on ten concerts and a couple of paid gigs, to attend Jam Sessions on Saturdays, and to make friends in Jazz Hands For Autism. Another participant, Jenny, states that Jazz Hands means happiness, that she is learning a lot in her classes, that she shows her work during Jazz Hands concerts, and that she has gained great teachers, friends she sees weekly at Jam Session, and many happy moments. A parent, PAM, describes Jazz Hands as an opportunity to connect with others who enjoy music experiences, a safe place to grow an artistic passion, and notes gaining trust in the curriculum, partnerships with other parents, and joy in seeing her daughter prepare for classes, rehearse, and promote concerts and open houses.
Last updated July 4, 2026.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Hours of operation Monday–Saturday, 9am–5pm; the Jazz Hands Junior Academy runs in renewable 12-week private music lesson sessions
Jazz Hands For Autism is a 501(c)(3) talent advocacy group that creates pathways to expression, employment and inclusion for musically motivated individuals with autism and other diagnoses. The organization finds its roots in 2014 and hosted the first Jazz Hands Concert on May 25th, 2014. Jazz Hands For Autism is described as a talent advocacy group and provider of individualized music-based training, vocational development and job placement for over 150 musicians with autism, and has served 200+ musicians directly, 1400+ individuals through educators trained, and has offered over 6000 hours of classes and training. The organization reports 230 gigs found and over $52,000 earned by Jazz Hands For Autism musicians.
The Jazz Hands Concert Series is a twice-a-year festival event where musicians on the autism spectrum and other diagnoses of all ages, genres and skill levels share their talents in front of a supportive and diverse audience. The Jazz Hands Jam Sessions take place at the Educational Studio in Culver City, where musicians work together on vocal and instrumental pieces and fine tune their performance pieces in readiness for paid gigs and concerts; Jam Sessions are described as a great way to make new friends, enhance musicality and personal awareness, build confidence and encourage collaboration. The Jazz Hands Musicians Academy is a comprehensive music education and vocational program that provides group and individualized social, professional and musical training tailored to help musicians on the autism spectrum age 18 and older gain access to quality music education and succeed in music-related jobs. Through the Jazz Hands Jobs Program, Jazz Hands For Autism offers music-related job and internship scouting and placement to current and past students of the Jazz Hands Musicians Academy, including internships, mentorships, apprenticeships, studio session opportunities, on stage performance gigs, teaching positions, track and composition placements, and audio and sound tech positions.
The Jazz Hands Junior Academy is designed for school-aged individuals on the autism spectrum ages 8–17, and is a renewable 12-week private music lesson program. Lessons in the Jazz Hands Junior Academy are individualized and taught in-home, in-studio, or via Zoom by Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) trained music teachers, and lessons across programs are taught in-home, in-studio, or via Zoom. The organization’s values are summarized in the acronym T.H.E. M.U.S.I.C: Teamwork, Harnessing the self and talents, Expression, Musicians first, Unity, Support, Inclusivity, Community. The stated 2022 goal is that adults on the autism spectrum are meaningfully employed and integrated into their communities.
Jazz Hands For Autism is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture. The Founder and Executive Director is Dr. Ifunanya Nweke. One participant, Aaron B, describes Jazz Hands as giving him an opportunity to perform with others on the spectrum, to look back on ten concerts and a couple of paid gigs, to attend Jam Sessions on Saturdays, and to make friends in Jazz Hands For Autism. Another participant, Jenny, states that Jazz Hands means happiness, that she is learning a lot in her classes, that she shows her work during Jazz Hands concerts, and that she has gained great teachers, friends she sees weekly at Jam Session, and many happy moments. A parent, PAM, describes Jazz Hands as an opportunity to connect with others who enjoy music experiences, a safe place to grow an artistic passion, and notes gaining trust in the curriculum, partnerships with other parents, and joy in seeing her daughter prepare for classes, rehearse, and promote concerts and open houses.
Last updated July 4, 2026.
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