Brubeck Jazz Summit
at Classical TahoeBrubeck Jazz Summit is a transformative jazz education program for outstanding pre-college musicians from around the world. Led by Artistic Directors Roxy Coss and Lucas Pino, students learn from a diverse and passionate roster of world-class faculty and guest artists through combo rehearsals, masterclasses, career development, jam sessions, and performances. The Summit provides an inclusive and nurturing learning environment, where students and faculty build a strong community of lifelong connections. Students are challenged to grow musically and personally, and are provided with an educational experience designed to inspire and equip them in their journey as the next generation of creative leaders in jazz.
A living legacy of the musician and international statesman, Dave Brubeck, the week-long Brubeck Jazz Summit is a partnership between Classical Tahoe and Brubeck Living Legacy, hosted at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe campus located in a stunning mountain environment on the North Shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Dates & Eligibility
Program Dates: July 11 – 16, 2027
Ages: 15-18 at the time of application.
Instruments: Jazz musicians of all instruments and voice are encouraged to apply.
Applications open: December 1, 2026
Early bird application deadline: January 1, 2027 ($65 early bird application fee)
Application deadline: March 1, 2027 ($85 application fee)
Faculty & Guest Artists
The Brubeck Jazz Summit faculty are a remarkable collective of internationally recognized performers, composers, educators, and dedicated mentors who are among the creative voices shaping jazz today.
Roxy Coss
Artistic Director and Saxophone
Lucas Pino
Artistic Director and Saxophone
Etienne Charles
Trumpet
Rachel Eckroth
Piano & Voice
Gerald Cannon
Bass
Bryan Carter
Drums
Chris Brubeck
Trombone & Electric Bass, Guest Artist
Dan Brubeck
Drums, Guest Artist
Previous Faculty & Guest Artists
Jerry Bergonzi, Joe Gilman, Michael Rodriguez, Miki Yamanaka, Darius Brubeck, Connie Han, Eric Harland, Gilad Hekselman, Sean Jones, Chad LB, and Rodney Whitaker.
Program Details
Tuition
The tuition fee is $2,100 and includes all instruction, housing, three daily meals, The Brubeck Book, one Summit t-shirt, and concert admission. Airfare is not included in tuition. See below for more information about travel.
Housing and Meals
Included in the tuition fee, all students will be provided housing in double or triple occupancy dorm rooms at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe and three daily meals at the on-campus cafeteria.
Instruments and Equipment
Students are expected to bring their own instruments and equipment in good repair. Drum sets, pianos, and amplifiers will be provided by Brubeck Jazz Summit. Brubeck Jazz Summit will provide upright basses upon request, as well as additional large instruments as applicable. Drummers are expected to bring their own cymbals.
Deposits and Refunds
A non-refundable deposit of $200 is due within 10 days of acceptance and applies toward the cost of tuition. All tuition payments are non-refundable.
Students who receive a full-tuition scholarship will be required to submit a refundable deposit, which will be returned to you when you arrive at the Summit. If unable to attend, the deposit will be forfeited.
Location
Brubeck Jazz Summit is proudly presented by the Classical Tahoe Music Festival on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe. The University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe is in the community of Incline Village on Lake Tahoe’s north shore in Nevada, located at 291 Country Club, Incline Village NV 89451.
Travel
Arrival date: Sunday, July 11, 2027
Program dates: Sunday, July 11 – Friday, July 16, 2027
Departure date: Saturday, July 17, 2027
Accepted participants are responsible for booking their own travel to/from Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Brubeck Jazz Summit provides a free shuttle service from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe campus. Only participants arriving at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) will receive complimentary ground transportation to campus. If you fly into another airport, you must arrange your own transportation to campus. Participants driving to Tahoe will be given a timeline for when to arrive on campus.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Tuition and Travel Scholarships
Every participant is supported by the generosity of our donors, which keeps tuition well below the true cost of the program so that cost is not a barrier to participation. In addition, Classical Tahoe offers limited tuition and/or travel assistance to Brubeck Jazz Summit participants. Brubeck Living Legacy also provides funding to help cover tuition costs. We believe all students accepted into the program are deserving of merit scholarships, however awards are made primarily on the basis of a student’s audition, the financial need indicated on their application, and program need.
To be considered for financial aid, please indicate in your application if you are seeking scholarship support for tuition and/or travel. For any questions, please contact Erin Toledo, program director at erin@classicaltahoe.org.
Application Fee Waiver
To apply for an application fee waiver on the basis of financial need, please contact Acceptd Support (support@getacceptd.com) to receive a fee waiver prior to submitting your application. If you are still seeking financial assistance for your application fee after contacting Acceptd, or have any questions or concerns about financial assistance, please contact Erin Toledo, program director at erin@classicaltahoe.org.
Application Requirements
2027 Applications open Dec. 1
How to Apply
Please visit our landing page on Accepted to learn more and begin an application. Applications for 2027 open December 1.
Application Fee
Early bird application fee, if submitted by January 1, 2027 at 11:59pm ET: $65
Application fee after January 1, 2027: $85
To apply for an application fee waiver on the basis of financial need, please contact Acceptd Support (support@getacceptd.com) to receive a fee waiver prior to submitting your application. If you are still seeking financial assistance for your application fee after contacting Acceptd, please contact erin@classicaltahoe.org.
Application Requirements
- Two audition videos (see audition video requirements below).
- Answer three short questions about your motivations, goals, and what you hope to gain from the Summit experience.
- Submit an email address for one reference. The recommender can be a band/jazz band director, private teacher, other music teacher, music-related employer, or other professional reference. After you submit your completed application, your reference will receive a link with instructions on how to submit their confidential recommendation. Please note that the email they receive will be sent directly from Acceptd. Your references will have until March 1, 2027, to submit their recommendations.
Audition Videos
Each Audition must include the specified 2 videos in your application category. Video is required. Each track should be a maximum of 5 minutes in length.
Vocalists
Vocalists
Each Audition must include the specified 2 videos in your application category. Each video should be a maximum of 5 minutes in length. Video is required.
- Sing a blues of your choice, including at least 3 choruses total of: scatting/improvising, lyrics, and/or vocalese.
- Sing “My One Bad Habit” by Dave and Iola Brubeck, including at least one full Chorus with lyrics. Verse is encouraged/optional. Addition of improvisation is optional. (Lead sheet available for download here.)
IMPORTANT
*Auditions may be recorded with a live rhythm section or pre-recorded backing track. Video/audio does not need to be professionally recorded. Video is required.
**If not using a live band, we recommend downloading and recording with our available backing track. Available for download here: D major track; F major track
*** Please DO NOT USE the iREAL app play-along feature to record your tracks.
Woodwinds/Brass/Strings
Woodwinds/Brass/Strings
Each Audition must include the specified 2 videos in your application category. Each video should be a maximum of 5 minutes in length. Video is required.
- Play a blues melody of your choice for 1 chorus and improvise a solo for at least 3 choruses.
- Play “In Your Own Sweet Way” by Dave Brubeck with melody for 1 chorus and at least 1 chorus of improvised solo. (Lead sheets available for download here: Concert, Bb, Eb, Bass)
IMPORTANT
*Auditions may be recorded with a live rhythm section or pre-recorded backing track. Video/audio does not need to be professionally recorded. Video is required.
**If not using a live band, we recommend using Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Volume 105 “Dave Brubeck – In Your Own Sweet Way” as a reference/backing track.
*** Please DO NOT USE the iREAL app play-along feature to record your tracks.
Pianists/Guitarists
Pianists/Guitarists
Each Audition must include the specified 2 videos in your application category. Each video should be a maximum of 5 minutes in length. Video is required.
- Play a blues melody of your choice for 1 chorus and improvise a solo for at least 3 choruses. *Also “comp” for another soloist for at least 1 chorus.
- Play “In Your Own Sweet Way” by Dave Brubeck with melody for 1 chorus and at least 1 chorus of improvised solo. Also “comp” for another soloist for at least 1 chorus. (Lead sheets available for download here: Concert, Bb, Eb, Bass)
IMPORTANT
*Auditions may be recorded with a live band/musicians or pre-recorded backing track. Video/audio does not need to be professionally recorded. Video is required.
**If not using a live band, we recommend using Jamey Aebersold Jazz, Volume 105 “Dave Brubeck – In Your Own Sweet Way” ” as a reference/backing track.
*** Please DO NOT USE the iREAL app play-along feature to record your tracks
Bassists
Bassists
Each Audition must include the specified 2 videos in your application category. Each video should be a maximum of 5 minutes in length. Video is required.
- Play a blues melody of your choice for 1 chorus and improvise a solo for at least 1 chorus. *Also play with another soloist for at least 1 chorus.
- Play “In Your Own Sweet Way” by Dave Brubeck with melody for 1 chorus and at least 1 chorus of improvised solo. *Also play with another soloist for at least 1 chorus. (Lead sheets available for download here: Concert, Bb, Eb, Bass)
IMPORTANT
*Auditions may be recorded with live musicians. Video/audio does not need to be professionally recorded. Video is required.
**Bassists should demonstrate “walking” on the blues, and optional walking on In Your Own Sweet Way.
*** Please DO NOT USE the iREAL app play-along feature to record your tracks.
Drummers/Percussionists
Drummers/Percussionists
Each Audition must include the specified 2 videos in your application category. Each video should be a maximum of 5 minutes in length. Video is required.
- Play a blues of your choice, “comp” for at least 1 chorus of melody, and play 1 chorus “comping” for another soloist, and play an improvised solo (and/or trade) for at least 2 choruses.
- Play “In Your Own Sweet Way” by Dave Brubeck with a live band. “Comp” for at least 1 chorus of melody and play 1 chorus “comping” for another soloist, and play an improvised solo (and/or trade) for at least 1 chorus. (Lead sheets available for download here: Concert, Bb, Eb, Bass)
IMPORTANT
*Drummers should record one of the above options on brushes and one on sticks.
**Drummers should record with live musicians. Video/audio does not need to be professionally recorded. Video is required.
*** Please DO NOT USE the iREAL app play-along feature to record your tracks.
Brubeck Jazz Summit accepts applications from jazz musicians on all instruments. If your primary instrument is not listed in the categories above or if you have questions about audition requirements for your instrument, please contact us at erin@classicaltahoe.org for guidance. Please include your primary instrument in your email.
FAQs
How many participants are accepted?
Brubeck Jazz Summit receives competitive applications from musicians ages 15-18 at a very high level on all instruments and voice. To create an intimate learning environment for the week-long program, a group of up to 30 young musicians are invited to the Summit each summer.
Questions?
Please email Erin at jazz@classicaltahoe.org or contact the Classical Tahoe staff at 775-298-0245.
Brubeck Jazz Summit Alumni
Brubeck Living Legacy
In partnership with Classical Tahoe, Brubeck Living Legacy brings the Brubeck family’s jazz vision to Lake Tahoe to promote awareness, interest and the understanding of jazz and its role in American and international culture, as well as to build on Dave and Iola Brubeck’s lifelong dedication to music, creativity and the promotion of social justice through performance, education and outreach. Brubeck Living Legacy honors Dave and Iola’s belief in our shared humanity and the power of music to connect people from all walks of life.
Brubeck Living Legacy’s main activities include sponsoring the Brubeck Living Legacy Prize at the Royal Academy of Music, The Dave Brubeck Composer and Pianist Scholarship with the Jazz Education Network, maintaining Dave and Iola’s archives, and partnering with Classical Tahoe to create the Brubeck Jazz Summit, a week-long jazz camp at beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Classical Tahoe Music Festival
The Brubeck Jazz Summit is presented by the Classical Tahoe Festival in partnership with the Brubeck Living Legacy. Classical Tahoe has played a significant role in the cultural, economic, and social landscape of the Lake Tahoe community for the past 16 years. Our collaborations with local businesses in Incline Village, the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, leading jazz artists, and principal musicians from leading orchestras across the country provide musical experiences for both new and returning audiences in north Lake Tahoe.
The Classical Tahoe Festival provides education and engagement to students and the community through major programs including the Brubeck Jazz Summit, Classical Tahoe Academy, Musikgarten, Family Concert, and more. Now in its 16th season, Classical Tahoe continues to delight more than 5,000 Reno Tahoe residents and visitors each summer.
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Thank you to our Brubeck Jazz Summit Sponsors & Partners
The Brubeck Jazz Summit is generously supported by a multi-year gift from Carol and Douglas Koelemay, and by annual gifts from Elaine Cardinale & Jonathan Knowles, Pete and Kim Garcia, Robert Pollock, and Whittier Trust.
Our Partners
Our Host
Classical Tahoe is proudly presented on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.