A2JF-JEL ALL STARS

In January, 2025 A2 JAZZ FEST reached out to Mr. John E. Lawrence, Great Friend to the A2 JAZZ FEST and host of his own wildly popular Summer Jazz Series, to create the A2JF-JEL All Stars - a music learning program that focused on developing teacher practice.

John E. Lawrence, A2JF Founder & Artistic Director, Dave Sharp, and A2JF Administrative Director Dr. Anna Gersh (all former classroom instructors) share a common believe in the critical importance of teacher development. This music learning program distinguishes itself by it’s self-conscious focus on pedagogy. Teachers in our program consent to participating in a unique and research-validated teacher development process, designed to build evidence for the inclusion of essential features of the improvised music learning environment in ALL learning environments! Let’s hear it for the…

BRAIN-BUILDING POWER of IMPROVISATION!

Our maiden voyage (April 2 - May 28, 2025), hosted by Ypsilanti Community Middle School, included some of southeast Michigan’s most accomplished and innovative musicians! A2JF salutes these music educators for their interest in developing their skills as TEACHERS!!

Our sincere thanks to: Allen Dennard; Kasan Belgrave; David Ward; Houston Patton; Dylan Sherman; and Elvin Sharp!!

Interested in participating next year? Reach out to INFO@A2JAZZFEST.COM

“The A2 Jazz Fest all star program was a great way to expose students of all ages to jazz, and active and professional musicians. It was also a double sided coin because it gave the instructors a way to learn teaching styles and effectiveness. It is truly a unique experience with limitless potential.”

-Houston Patton

“The couple of weeks we had as instructors with students of the A2 Jazz Fest Program helped enlighten us to our potential as music mentors in primary jazz education. The program also helped us think about adapting to learning styles and different areas of teaching fundamentals.”

-Kasan Belgrave