Since its inception in 1987, the highly acclaimed Skidmore Jazz Institute has become one of the premier programs in the country. Now celebrating its 25th Anniversary, and directed by Todd Coolman, the Jazz Institute provides a new generation of musicians the opportunity to mingle with and learn from gifted educators and world-class performers in an intimate and supportive environment. Previous students have successfully pursued jazz-related careers in the areas of performance, teaching, and business and include Kendrick Scott, Walter Smith, Richie Barshay, Jonathan Batiste, Brandon Lee, Christian Scott, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Ryan Cohan, and Myron Walden among others.
Students work closely with faculty in daily combo rehearsals and improvisational and special classes. Afternoon master classes offer the additional opportunity to have close contact with guest artists before seeing them perform in our evening concert series. On Friday afternoons the student combos (arranged according to instrument and level of ability) perform, and on the weekend everyone attends the Freihofer’s Jazz Festival at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
