PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

     

The Samba Meets Jazz Vocal Program is designed for singers who want to deepen their musicianship in jazz and Brazilian repertoire while learning from and collaborating closely with world-class faculty and working with instrumental ensembles as full band members.

​

PROGRAM FEATURES

 

Small Personalized Environment 

To ensure a high level of individual attention, the vocal program is intentionally limited to a small cohort of singers (maximum 8 participants), allowing for meaningful interaction with faculty and extensive performance opportunities throughout the week.

 

Coaching with World-Class Faculty

Vocalists work closely with lead vocal faculty member / pianist Aviana Gedler, whose teaching combines strong technical foundations with practical musicianship. Through masterclasses, small group sessions, and individual coaching, singers develop both technical and artistic skills, including breath support, tone production, intonation, phrasing, interpretation, and stylistic awareness, while also developing their own musical voice through improvisation and personal interpretation of repertoire.''

​

During the week, internationally acclaimed guitarist Chico Pinheiro will work with vocalists in a group setting, exploring Brazilian repertoire, including phrasing, rhythmic feel, stylistic interpretation, and Portuguese pronunciation. These sessions give singers the opportunity to learn directly from one of Brazil’s leading jazz artists.

 

Pending availability, vocalists may request the opportunity to prepare a piece for the final concert in special collaboration with Chico Pinheiro, who will join them for the performance.   Preparing a piece in this context often involves additional preparation of the arrangement, as well as dedicated rehearsal time beyond what is available in regular group sessions.   For this reason, a supplemental coaching fee applies. Availability is limited.   Early sign-up for this is encouraged. 

​​​

Vocalists as Full Band Members

Students also explore the broader musical skills that professional jazz vocalists rely on, including:

• Arranging songs for small ensemble

• Preparing clear charts for the band

• Developing improvisational skills, including scatting and trading phrases with instrumentalists

 

In addition to preparing repertoire with group vocal sessions, vocalists work regularly  with an instrumental combo throughout the week, participating as full members of the ensemble and gaining experience communicating musically within a band setting, with opportunities to perform in informal sessions and the final concert.

 

Singers may also join the rhythm section playing Brazilian and Afro-Cuban percussion. 

​

Trio-In-Residence 

Throughout the week, vocalists also rehearse and perform with the program’s Trio-in-Residence, an experienced rhythm section comfortable accompanying vocalists.

​

The trio complements the coaching and ensemble sessions, giving singers the opportunity to test and refine what they are learning within a professional band setting. Together with their work with the faculty and instrumental ensembles, this creates a vibrant environment in which singers develop as improvisers, collaborators, and performers.

​

IN THIS CONTEXT, THE PROGRAM SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATES: 

 

Brazilian Style and Repertoire:   '

Explore the rhythmic feel, phrasing, and stylistic nuances of Brazilian music, including guidance on Portuguese pronunciation and interpretation of classic repertoire.

​

Technical Development

Work on essential vocal skills including breath support, tone production, intonation, phrasing, and interpretation, helping singers develop a healthy and expressive sound.

 

Jazz Musicianship
Learn how to function as a jazz musician within an ensemble. Vocalists explore improvisation (including scatting and trading phrases with instrumentalists), preparing clear charts for the band, and arranging songs for small ensembles.

 

​​

​