Applications are now open for the next round of the Jazz Leaders Fellowship at The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM), a 126-year-old nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through the educational and therapeutic powers of music. Applications must be submitted by May 15 and the winners will be announced in June.

 

Now in its fourth year, representatives from BKCM said the Jazz Leaders Fellowship provides resources to Black women and Black non-binary musicians to further develop their craft and pursue projects that advance their careers. They said two musicians will be selected to each receive a $12,500 award and access to BKCM rehearsal space.

 

To be considered for this award, applicants must identify as Black women or Black non-binary jazz musicians, be aged 21 years or older, and reside in the NYC metropolitan area. While applicants from all career stages are encouraged to apply, currently enrolled full-time students are not eligible.

 

Past recipients of this award have included singer-songwriters, pianists, recording artists, poets, composers, and arrangers. Last year’s winners were Miss Olithea and Melanie Charles, both of whom are involved with jazz music through a variety of mediums, including singing, songwriting, and producing.

 

Those chosen for this fellowship are responsible for developing one public performance presenting the fellow as a leader in an ensemble, and for collaborating with the Community Music School jazz program director to establish a framework for engaging students with the fellow’s artistry. This entails a three-hour workshop with BKCM jazz students, a planning meeting with the CMS jazz program director, a planning meeting with BKCM jazz faculty, and conducting a site visit.

The program was conceived by former Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Board member Daniel DiPietro and developed by the jazz leaders fellowship committee, led by musician and educator, Fay Victor. The fellowship is made possible by the generous support of DiPietro and his wife, Alexis. For a full list of the jazz leaders fellowship committee members, who play a key role in the selection process, visit: https://bkcm.org/jlf/.

 

Representatives from the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM) say the conservatory aims to transform lives and build community through the expressive, educational, and therapeutic powers of music. They say its Park Slope home offers private music lessons, group classes, ensembles, and music therapy, and through its community engagement programs, it brings high-quality music education and music therapy to 7,000 students and clients at 75 public schools and community-based organizations across the city’s five boroughs.

 

They say the conservatory strives to be a safe, affirming, and inclusive place for all people to come together and experience learning, joy, creativity, and healing through music. For more information, visit: https://bkcm.org/

 

As reported, Bronx jazz artist, Samara Joy, recently took home her third Grammy this year for Best Jazz Performance for her song “Tight” at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, Feb. 4.