Questions? (917) 620-8872
World-class faculty in spectacular locations
BAR HARBOR INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM 2026
Instrumental
Jazz, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban
August 1 - 7, 2026
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
Overview of the Week 2026
After Saturday 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 Sunday-Thursday 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 Thursday night, with on-campus lodging check-out early Saturday morning.
NEW FOR 2026! Participants are invited to book up to three additional nights (Fri, Sat, Sun) on campus after our program concludes on Thursday night - should you wish to spend more time in the Bar Harbor area. While we do not at this time have plans for extended programming, please let us know if you might be interested in the possibility.
2026 FACULTY
MUSIC / ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
NILSON MATTA
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
2026 TEACHING ARTISTS
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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! Chico, who's been included in Downbeat's "Rising Star -Guitar list multiple times, has given master classes and workshops at universities worldwide.
RAFAEL 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!
MIKE TUCKER
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Mike Tucker is most widely known for his work with legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. As leader and sideman, he's recorded and performed with a diverse list of artists including: Esperanza Spaulding, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Joey Colderazo, and Tiger Okoshi. His deep love for R&B and soul have led to gigs and performances with George Duke, Lettuce, Soullive, Melvin Sparks, and many others.. Despite his busy touring schedule, Mike is a professor at Berklee College of music and adjunct faculty at New England Conservatory where he teaches Harmony, Ensembles, Improv Techniques, and Saxophone.
ZAHILI GONZALEZ ZAMORA
"Her work might sound like what would happen if Bill Evans or Lyle Mays had been raised in Cuba."
A pianist, composer, bandleader, arranger, and educator, Zahili began playing piano at age 6 in Cuba, and graduated from the National School of Music. She is currently on the Berklee College of Music faculty, where she teaches ____________ Zalili's Afro-Cuban jazz trio, MIXCLA, has headlined at the landmark Scullers Jazz Club in Boston since 2018 and has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Montreal International Jazz Festival and other highly respected venues and festivals, including Dizzy's Club Late Night Series.
MARK TIPTON
Boston-based jazz trumpeter, composer, producer, and educator. Mark Tipton has most recently performed and/or recorded with Jerry Bergonzi, Dave Holland, Antonio Sanchez, Eguie Castrillo, Jason Moran, Allan Chase, Edmar Colón, Diego Figueiredo, Joe Hunt, Ayn Inserto, Tom Varner, and Mehmet Sanlikol. His Boston-based jazz octet released its debut album Vernacular Stretch in December 2025 at Soapbox Gallery in Brooklyn, and his progressive jazz trio recorded their debut album in February 2026. fMark teaches at the New England Conservatory of Music and Walnut Hill School for the Arts,
Venue
College of the Atlantic
Bar Harbor, ME
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 the Bar Harbor Area
The town of Bar Harbor is a short walk from our campus.
Or. you can hop on the Island Explorer which stops on campus!
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. Participants often ask for a "to-go" lunch and spend time in Acadia during our mid-day break. For guest, 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.
Biking In Acadia
Bikes are available fo rent in town
View from Cadillac Mountain
We often arrnge a sunset trip to the top!
Lodging & Meals
KATHEIRINE DAVIS 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
Travel
College of the Atlantic
105 Eden Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
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.
2026 Pricing & Policies
Lodging is available both on- and off-campus. There are numerous hotels & BnBs, some within walking distance of College of the Atlantic. Rates during August (high season) range from approximately $275 to $500 nightly. Please feel free to contact us for suggesetions if needed.
If you are considering staying on campus, we suggesti registering ASAP to secure your preferred room-type.
ON-CAMPUS ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGES include tuition, 6 nights lodging and meals (Saturday dinner - Thursday dinner) .
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double room shared w/another participant (p/p) - $2095
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private room - $2495
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double room used as single -$2645
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double room shared with guest - $2825
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commuter standard tuition - $1695
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year-round local resident tuition - $1265
FORMS OF PAYMENT
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Zelle
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Venmo (no fee if drawn from 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%)
DEPOSIT: A 50% deposit is required to hold your spot.
Balance is due on May 1. *
*Feel free to get in touch regarding installment plan, as needed.
SCHOLARSHIPS / FINANCIAL AID
A limited number of partial scholarships / financial aid are available based on merit and financial need.
Policies 2026
CANCELLATION POLICY
SMJ is a small program. A full refund minus $150 is available through April 30 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.