Description:

Students work with acclaimed Jazz vocalist, Annie Chen and a piano accompanist, and engage in jazz vocal warmups that emphasize strong singing technique. Students hone their craft as jazz singers and develop a sensibility to jazz rhythms and an understanding of the stylistic intricacies of swing, jazz and blues through scat singing and lyric interpretation. 

Students will explore singing blues, medium tempo swing, up-tempo swing, bossa nova and ballads from the Jazz canon. Throughout the course, students also explore and analyze the vocal stylings of leaders in the jazz vocal world such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and modern singers such as Betty Carter and Samara Joy. 

At the end of each semester, students perform a variety of songs they have learned throughout the semester in a low stakes, relaxed recital program.  Students learn how to communicate and collaborate with other jazz musicians when performing on stage. This course is designed for singers who are both new to jazz and also interested in learning more about Jazz singing styles. Learn more about Jazz Vocal Lab instructor Annie Chen here.

Sections:

• Wednesdays, 7:30 – 8:30 PM (Level 1)
• Wednesdays, 8:30 – 9:30 PM (Level 2)

Which Level Should I Join?

Level 1 is for singers who have no prior experience singing jazz or want to brush up their skills in rhythmic phrasing and styles. Students must have prior experience with singing, but no experience in Jazz is required. 

Level 2 is for singers who have experience singing jazz with a pianist or ensemble and want to take their jazz vocal singing to the next level by exploring improvisation and scat singing. 

The Registration Process 

1. If you are new to BKCM, click here to create a Registration account.

2. Click here to fill out the Student & Family Survey.

3. Call 718-622-3300 to register.

If you have questions, please call 718-622-3300 to speak to one of our registrars who will guide you through every step of the registration process. Financial aid is available for qualifying students. To apply please contact kris.mandapat@bkcm.org and fill out the financial aid application.

For complete information on our registration process and policies, please click here.