Bringing together some of the best student jazz musicians in the city, Ravinia is proud to announce the selections for the 2014 Jazz Scholars program. Through Ravinia's Jazz Scholar program, students will be mentored and coached by some of Chicago's finest jazz musicians including Pat Mallinger, Willie Pickens and Audrey Morrison. Beyond their school band instruction, Ravinia will provide inspiration, advice and intensive training through masterclasses, audition-based ensembles and individualized instruction.
Saxophone:
Marnicia Johnson, baritone – Northside College Prep, Senior
Kevin King, tenor – Lincoln Park High School, Sophomore
Joe Paukstys, alto – Jones College Prep, Junior
Trombone:
Sterling Harris – Whitney Young Magnet High School, Senior
Pier Sharke – Lake View High School, Senior
Trumpet:
Bart Coyle – Lincoln Park High School, Senior
GianCarlo Jerry – Kenwood Academy, Junior
Kathryn Kuropas – Lane Tech College Prep, Senior
Luis Lara – Curie Metro High School, Junior
Bass:
Justin Caldwell – Chicago High School for the Arts, Senior
Austen Goebel – Whitney Young Magnet High School, Senior
Tavier Robinson – Chicago High School for the Arts, Freshman
Guitar:
Oscar Brown – Lincoln Park High School, Senior
Ryan Pieniacha – Chicago High School for the Arts, Junior
Julian Richey – Northside College Prep, Freshman
Piano:
Alexis Lanier – Whitney Young Magnet High School, Junior
Josiah Maddox – Kenwood Academy, Junior
Drums:
Everett Reid – Whitney Young Magnet High School, Senior
Yardayn Watkins – Morgan Park High School, Senior
Percussion:
Christopher Sanchez – Northwest Middle School, 8th Grade
Jeffrey Wittah – Lake View High School, Senior
The Jazz Scholars will receive numerous performance opportunities including the Music Matters benefit and at Ravinia’s Martin Theatre in June. In addition, the ensemble is often invited to perform at events throughout the city. Each summer the Jazz Scholars are sent to the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp in Louisville, KY, a prestigious training center for pre-professionals. Many alumni from this program have gone on to study music at such colleges as Juilliard, Oberlin, Manhattan School of Music and NYU. Several alumni are now professional musicians and educators themselves.