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World-class faculty in spectacular locations
BAR HARBOR INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM 2025
Instrumental
Jazz, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban
August 3 - 9, 2025
We’re looking forward to returning to College of the Atlantic once again!
This spectacular campus provides just the right setting to nurture your skills in a musical environment that's challenging, but non-pressured. All participants interact directly with each of our faculty members. With a cap of six ensembles, and a faculty of master teaching artists, participants are assured of a personalized experience and individualized attention.
In addition to (and complementing) participation in three daily ensembles (Jazz, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban), our program includes:
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Harmony & Improvisation
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Instrumental Master Classes
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Brazilian & Afro-Cuban Rhythms, Styles & Phrasing
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Arranging
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Encounters with Faculty – Special Topics/Presentations
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Optional Big Band (if enough interest)
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Faculty-led jams (yes … faculty join in!)
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End-of-Week Student Performance
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Faculty Concert @ Bar Harbor’s Criterion Theatre
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End of Week Performance
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FACULTY 2025
Stay tuned for additional faculty announcements!
NILSON MATTA - Artistic/Music Director
Multi-Grammy nominee / virtuoso bassist Nilson Matta has been a creative force in the evolution and popularity of Brazilian Jazz in the United States. Not long after he came to New York from Brazil in 1985, he was performing and recording with Grammy-winning jazz greats Joe Henderson, Don Pullen, Kenny Barron, Paul Winter, Sadao Watanabi, Paquito D’Rivera and Randy Brecker, as well as Herbie Mann, Lee Konitz and Mark Murphy. Drawing from these collaborations, and from his work with Brazilian luminaries such as João Bosco, Oscar Castro Neves, Hermeto Pascoal, Chico Buarque, MPB4, João Gilberto, Luis Bonfa, Leny Andrade and Johnny Alf in Brazil to name a few, Matta has developed his own musical signature making him a first-call bass player of Brazilian music and jazz musicians
EDSEL GOMEZ
Pianist, composer, arranger and musical director, Edsel’s salsa roots stem from the streets of Puerto Rico to his formal music education at Berklee College of Music. Spending 10 years in Sao Paulo, he settled in Manhattan. Edsel has done it all – world torus and jazz festivals with Dee Dee Bridgewater, playing and/or recording with Don Byron, David Sanchez, Jack DeJohnette, among others. Edsel received a Grammy nomination for his own “Cubist Music” album along and participated in Grammy-winning albms by Dee Dee Bridewater, Edie Palmieri and David Sanchez.
RAFRAEL BARATA
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Rafael launched his studio career at age 14. Also playing with the greatest Samba Jazz legends from 60’s at that time, he was introduced to the Jazz world.
Building on this jazz approach, Rafael went to NYC where he played with jazz masters. Since then, Rafael has recorded and performed with a who’s who of acclaimed artists, including Rosa Passos, Kenny Barron, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Werner, Toots Thielemans, Christian McBride, Ivan Lins, Nilson Matta, Milton Nascimento, João Bosco, Roberto Menescal, and the list goes on and on!n!
CHICO PINHEIRO
Brazilian born guitarist/ composer / arranger and two-time Grammy nominee, Chico is considered a leading figure both in and outside the Brazilian music scene. Alongside main projects as a leader, he's collaborated with artists such as Placido Domingo, Brad Mehldau, Dave Grusin, Kenny Werner, Bob Mintzer, Herbie Hancock, The Paris Jazz Big Band,, Julian Lage & Steve Cardenas, Esperanza Spalding, Joyce, Ivan Lins, Rosa Passos, Dori Caymmi, Danilo Caymmi, João Donato, Johnny Alf, and so many more!
ADA ROVATTI
Ada Rpvatti has performed with an impressive and diverse list of artists and bands, such as: Mike Stern, John McLaughlin, Anne Ducros, Bob Mintzer, Victor Bailey, Joanne Brackeen, Tony Levin, John McLaughlin , James Moody, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Heath, Patti Austin, Joe Bonamassa, Brecker Brothers and many others.. She's graced jazz festival stages worldwide including the JVC in NYC, Rochester Jazz Festival, IAJE, Detroit Jazz Fest, Montreal Jazz Fest, San Francisco Jazz Fest, NorthSea Jazz Fest and is a regular on the JazzCruise,. As a bandleader, she's released 7 CDs.
In the last couple years she has been extendedly touring and recording for various artists, arranging and producing and working on her new upcoming project released in January 2024 introducing her also as songwriter and string orchestrator with special guests Niki Haris, Kurt Elling and many more.
AND MORE TBA!
Overview of the Week 2025
After Sunday afternoon on-site registration and dinner (either on- or off-campus),, all participants and guests are invited to our Meet & Greet Faculty Orientation which includes a short faculty performance, followed by a jam.
Our 5-day Monday-Friday instructional schedule (9am - 5:45pm) builds in a mid-day break to allow for jaunts into Acadia National Park (literally minutes away), town as well s private lessons, practicing, or a snooze! Evenings include jams led by faculty, our special SMJ Cabaret/Jam and SMJ’s annual Faculty Performance. Program activities culminate on Friday night, with on-campus lodging check-out early Saturday morning.
Lodging & Meals
KATHEIRINE DAVID VILLAGE - OUR DORMS
ON-CAMPUS
On campus lodging is available in modern townhouse dorms. Each townhouse accommodates up 8 people, and has a full-kitchen, living area and dining area on the 1st floor. Four single rooms are located on the 2nd Floor, and two double rooms on the 3rd floor.
Each floor has a bathroom with sink, shower and toilet, shared by a maximum of
3 other people if full occupancy on the floor. It is possible to request a double
room to be used as a single, or to request a full floor. Two 1st floor rooms with ensuite bathrooms will be available. Linens and towels are included in lodging fees.
On-campus lodging fees include meals beginning (Sunday dinner
through Friday dinner). Standard, pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan options are available. Lunch-to-go is available with advance notice. Accommodations for dietary restrictions/allergies are available, also with advance notice.
Off-Campus
B&Bs, motels, hotels and Airbnb’s are close by to COA for those who prefer to stay off
campus. If you commute, you have the option of signing up for lunches (and/or other meals) prior to camp. Standard, pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan options are available. Lunch-to-go is available with advance notice. Accommodations for dietary restrictions/allergies are available, also with advance notice
Fees & Policies 2025
Tuition: $1395
On-Campus Residence Packages -- include tuition, 6 nights lodging, meals (Sunday - Friday dinner)
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Single Room: $1995
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Double Room shared with another participant: $1710 per participant
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Double Room shared with a non-participant guest: $2395 ($1710 + $685)
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Double Room Used as Single (if available):
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NOTE: We have a very limited number of rooms with private bathroom/shower, or private toilet and shared shower.. If you are interested, please inquire
FORMS OF PAYMENT
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Zelle
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Venmo (no fee if drawn from your bank account or debit card)
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Personal check
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Note: Credit Cards are accepted on Venmo (Venmo charges approx 3%)
SCHOLARSHIPS / FINANCIAL AID
A limited number of partial scholarships / financial aid are available based on merit and financial need.
CANCELLATION POLICY
SMJ is a small program. A full refund is available through May 1., and a 50% refund through June 1. Should you have an emergency, you have the option of finding a 'sub' to fill your music spot (and your lodging/meal reservation if you booked those). We strongtly recomend registrants purchase trip insurance to cover yourself in case of emergency.
COVID-RELATED POLICIES
Vaccinations, nor masking, are required. However, SMJ Workshops reserves the right to modify Covid policies at its discretion. Completion of registration and payment will confirm that registrant agrees to follow Covid-related policies of both College of the Atlantic and Samba Meets Jazz Workshops.
Venue
College of the Atlantic
Bar Harbor, ME
Image 1: Turrets Building / Image 2: COA Pier
With a setting as inspirating as our faculty, College of the Atlantic (COA) on Frenchman’s Bay in Bar Harbor provides the perfect retreat for you to shed the demands of everyday life – and the perfect opportunity for you to immerse yourself in your music with like-minded adults. Rated by Trip Advisor and the New York Times as one of the top U.S. vacation spots, there’s something for everyone! Our mid-day break provides an opportunity to experience it – from a visit to the top of Cadillac Mountain, biking, walking and swimming in Acadia National Park, or a whale-watching boat ride on the bay. Plus .. you can kayak off the COA pier!
About Bar Harbor Area
Image 1: Town of Bar Harbor Image 1: Frenchman's Bay / Image 2: Biking at Acadia National Park
There’s something magical about Bar Harbor. A celebrated vacation destination on Mount Desert Island that is the gateway to Acadia National Park, it possesses a rich history and culture unlike any other. For non-participating guests, there are endless activity options-- from hiking, biking, swimming in Acadia National Park to a visit to its Rockefeller Gardens, to lunch at the famed Jordan Pond. Short-day trip options include antiquing to whale-watching to jaunts to the Blue Hill Peninsula, Schoodic Point & more. In other words, your guest will have plenty to keep her/himself busy while you’re in workshop sessions. For info: https://www.visitbarharbor.com/about-bar-harbor
Travel
Getting To & From
College of the Atlantic
105 Eden Street
Bar Harbor, ME 0460.
By Air
Fly to Bangor (BGR):
American, Delta, United, and Allegiant (to/from FL) offer flights to Bangor International Airport.
Fly to Bar Harbor (BHB)
U.S. Air offers direct flights from Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) to the Bar-Harbor Hancock County Airport (BHB) in Trenton which is about 15 minutes from the College of the Atlantic.
Getting from the BGR and BHB to COA
If you’re flying and not renting a car (you really don’t need one), the Bar Harbor-Bangor Shuttle runs between Bangor International and Bar Harbor and will bring you directly to College of the Atlantic. In addition to its regular schedule which is posted on its website, a shuttle bus can be arranged for a group of people with advance notice.
The Island Explorer – a free shuttle bus service that goes all around Mt. Desert Island – goes between BHB and Bar Harbor.
Fly & AMTRAK to Portland
Flying to Portland, Maine (PWM) is a great way to save money on flights and to reduce the number of stops. Portland is approximately 3 hours from College of the Atlantic. To get to COA from Portland, optiona include car rental or bus (Concord Trailways) to Bangor, and Bar Harbor Shuttle from Bangor to COA.
Bus
Concord Trailways is an unusually hospitable, modern (and clean!) bus service that goes to Bangor, ME. Believe it not, they help you with your luggage, provide earphones for video, water, and pretzels! And the rates are reasonable! Upon arrival in Bangor, you can connect with the Bar Harbor-Bangor Airport Shuttle to Bar Harbor.
Once You’re Here
College of the Atlantic is located on Mt. Desert Island, steps from Acadia National Park. Keep in mind that you really don’t need a car in Bar Harbor. A free, frequent shuttle bus — the Island Explorer – goes to all towns on Mt. Desert Island and into Acadia National Park from early morning through to about 10:00 pm. There is an Island Explorer stop on campus.