Photo by Ron Lavoie
Welcome to JazzWorks' Annual Residential Jazz Camp
Composers' Symposium/Practice Retreat: Aug. 25-28, 2025
Main Jazz Camp: Aug. 28-31, 2025
Composers' Symposium/Practice Retreat: Aug. 25-28, 2025
Main Jazz Camp: Aug. 28-31, 2025
2025 REGISTRATION NOT YET OPEN - CHECK BACK HERE
Jazz Camp 2024 pricing (for illustrative purposes only)
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3 days (either Camp or Symposium):
Camping - $920 Lake House shared - $1085 Lake House single - $1165 Main Lodge shared - $1175 Main Lodge single - $1260 |
6 days:
Camping - $1520 Lake House shared - $1905 Lake House single - $2030 Main Lodge shared - $2065 Main Lodge single - $2215 |
*Please review our Terms and Conditions page for our cancellation and refund policy*
2024's distinguished faculty includes:
Adrian Vedady – Music Director & Bass
Sienna Dahlen – Voice
Amy London – Voice
Lorne Lofsky – Guitar
Jocelyn Gould – Guitar
Ron Horton – Trumpet
Janis Steprans – Sax
Christopher Smith – Trombone
Nick Fraser – Drums
Jae Sinnett – Drums
Kate Wyatt – Piano
Josh Rager– Piano
Steve Boudreau – Vocal Accompanist
Chad Linsley – Vocal Accompanist
Composers' Symposium:
Adrian Vedady
Sienna Dahlen
Roddy Ellias
Kate Wyatt
Jae Sinnett
Executive Director/Producer:
Judy Humenick
Adrian Vedady – Music Director & Bass
Sienna Dahlen – Voice
Amy London – Voice
Lorne Lofsky – Guitar
Jocelyn Gould – Guitar
Ron Horton – Trumpet
Janis Steprans – Sax
Christopher Smith – Trombone
Nick Fraser – Drums
Jae Sinnett – Drums
Kate Wyatt – Piano
Josh Rager– Piano
Steve Boudreau – Vocal Accompanist
Chad Linsley – Vocal Accompanist
Composers' Symposium:
Adrian Vedady
Sienna Dahlen
Roddy Ellias
Kate Wyatt
Jae Sinnett
Executive Director/Producer:
Judy Humenick
Why JazzWorks Camp?
What makes the JazzWorks Camp experience different from other jazz camps? JazzWorks offers a week-long residential Camp that includes two “sessions” with distinct feels. The first three days are dedicated to musicians who would like to learn more about the process of musical composition and arranging. The second three days are devoted to our main Jazz Camp. This beautiful facility fills up with jam sessions, combo rehearsals, workshop & masterclasses and a whole lot of musical fun.
Beginner to seasoned jazz musicians and vocalists will receive coaching from our highly experienced faculty, who are there to support you in a warm, welcoming environment. Some level of proficiency on your instrument/voice is required but a background in jazz is not necessary. Please note that you may register for one session or both. Most participants who attend the Composers’ Symposium/Practice Retreat stay for the Jazz Camp.
Beginner to seasoned jazz musicians and vocalists will receive coaching from our highly experienced faculty, who are there to support you in a warm, welcoming environment. Some level of proficiency on your instrument/voice is required but a background in jazz is not necessary. Please note that you may register for one session or both. Most participants who attend the Composers’ Symposium/Practice Retreat stay for the Jazz Camp.
Composers' Symposium/Practice Retreat
The JazzWorks’ Composers’ Symposium/Practice Retreat offers a unique opportunity for aspiring amateur and professional players who wish to advance their writing and arranging skills. With the support of top-notch musician-educators, participants are guided in their specific compositional challenges and needs. Dedicated time for feedback is offered in individual and whole group meetings. Free time is provided for participants to work independently on their individual projects, be they compositional or ones involving personal musical improvement. The program includes:
- Individual consultations with faculty members
- Dedicated composing or practice time in private studios
- One-to-one guidance for composers in developing a melody, transposing keys, finding the appropriate chord progression, determining best tempo and writing charts for multiple instruments
- A focus on analyzing and experimenting with various arrangements of a tune and understanding the principles of soloing/accompanying/ensemble playing
Options
Option 1. Composers' Symposium. Are you working on an original composition and value professional input? Do you have a tune you are arranging and need that little extra help polishing it? Do you have a riff in your head that you just can’t shake and would like to turn it into something bigger? The JazzWorks Composers' Symposium is devoted to individual and small group instruction in composition and arranging that honours every stage of the process, from the inkling of an idea to near-complete material. Participants will have the opportunity to develop and refine their original compositions under the mentorship of JazzWorks faculty members and learn more about composing music in the process. Original compositions may be debuted at the Jazz Camp's final Sunday concert.
Option 2. Practice Retreat. Is it hard to find the time to practice as much as you would like? Are there things you would like to focus on without the interruption of your familiar surroundings? Are you curious about what it would take to compose or arrange a piece of music? If this sounds like you, then you will enjoy the JazzWorks Practice Retreat. It is offered for those who would like to get away from everyday life for a few extra days to practice and improve their musical skills. Use this quiet time to get tips and tricks from the faculty. Participants in the Practice Retreat are encouraged to attend the group sessions with the Composers’ Symposium participants and may also have the opportunity to play on the original compositions.
Option 2. Practice Retreat. Is it hard to find the time to practice as much as you would like? Are there things you would like to focus on without the interruption of your familiar surroundings? Are you curious about what it would take to compose or arrange a piece of music? If this sounds like you, then you will enjoy the JazzWorks Practice Retreat. It is offered for those who would like to get away from everyday life for a few extra days to practice and improve their musical skills. Use this quiet time to get tips and tricks from the faculty. Participants in the Practice Retreat are encouraged to attend the group sessions with the Composers’ Symposium participants and may also have the opportunity to play on the original compositions.
Jazz Camp
After the Composers’ Symposium/Practice Retreat, the fun continues at the three-day JazzWorks' Jazz Camp session, which offers combo instruction, coaching, peer support, networking and more.
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JazzWorks' Jazz Camp program includes:
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For Vocalists: Vocal Intensive & Combo Options
Jazz Camp offers two options to vocalists: placement in an Instrumental Combo or a Vocal Intensive Combo. The Vocal Intensive Combos will focus on each singer preparing and crafting a song for performance in a supportive, group environment. The final performance will take place on Saturday evening, supported instrumentally by the faculty. Singers who choose to be in an Instrumental Combo will rehearse together with their assigned combos and participate in the final Sunday afternoon Participant Final Concert. Singers who are unsure of which option to choose are encouraged to contact JazzWorks for more information at [email protected].
Facilities
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JazzWorks Jazz Camp takes place at CAMMAC Music Centre in Quebec, a beautiful natural setting on the shore of Lake MacDonald, north of Hawkesbury, Ontario. Only a two-hour drive from Ottawa, sleeping accommodations are in the newly constructed Main Lodge or the traditional Lake House. Camping is also available for those who would like to bring their own tent (on-site fridges, washroom facilities and hot showers are available for campers).
Meals are served three times a day, including a light dinner when you arrive on Thursday evening. An afternoon snack is available on Friday and Saturday, but if you are prone to late-night munchies you may wish to bring some extra reserves.
For those so inclined, there's some time set aside for non-musical recreation in the water. And, of course, Jazz Camp wouldn't be camp without the traditional
bonfire and marshmallow roast on Saturday evening.
There is plenty of space for all sorts of musical activities
— large rooms for master classes, group practice, jam
sessions and concerts — small spaces for individual
practice or for just getting away from the crowd.
CAMMAC also boasts a beautiful state-of-the-art concert hall with recording-quality acoustics.
Please visit www.cammac.ca for more details about the
facilities available.
JazzWorks Jazz Camp takes place at CAMMAC Music Centre in Quebec, a beautiful natural setting on the shore of Lake MacDonald, north of Hawkesbury, Ontario. Only a two-hour drive from Ottawa, sleeping accommodations are in the newly constructed Main Lodge or the traditional Lake House. Camping is also available for those who would like to bring their own tent (on-site fridges, washroom facilities and hot showers are available for campers).
Meals are served three times a day, including a light dinner when you arrive on Thursday evening. An afternoon snack is available on Friday and Saturday, but if you are prone to late-night munchies you may wish to bring some extra reserves.
For those so inclined, there's some time set aside for non-musical recreation in the water. And, of course, Jazz Camp wouldn't be camp without the traditional
bonfire and marshmallow roast on Saturday evening.
There is plenty of space for all sorts of musical activities
— large rooms for master classes, group practice, jam
sessions and concerts — small spaces for individual
practice or for just getting away from the crowd.
CAMMAC also boasts a beautiful state-of-the-art concert hall with recording-quality acoustics.
Please visit www.cammac.ca for more details about the
facilities available.
Camp Accommodations
The majority of accommodation is shared. A limited number of private rooms are available on a "first come, first served" basis. If you wish a private room in either the main lodge or Lake House, you are advised to register early.
Main Lodge
The main lodge is a modern building with 40 rooms, a limited number of which are private. It also has an elevator for those with reduced mobility (total capacity of 74). Bedding is supplied with indoor accommodation.
Lake House
The Lake House is an older "country style" building, slightly closer to the lake, with private and shared rooms (total capacity 30). Bedding is supplied with indoor accommodation.
Camping
CAMMAC has excellent camping facilities for those who wish the "outdoor experience." If you choose to camp, you are expected to bring your own tent or camper vehicle and bedding, etc. The camping area is equipped with electricity and washrooms/showers and is close to the main building.
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