Education is a key part of the mission of Virginia Arts Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Jazz at Lincoln Center organizes jazz education at every level, including band competitions at the high school and college level. Starting in 2023, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Virginia Arts Festival embarked on a new collaboration to shine a spotlight on bands at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. After a wildly successful inaugural year, the residency returned in 2025 and will continue to be a bi-annual event.

During the residency, student ensembles receive coaching from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra members, participate in a question-and-answer session with Wynton Marsalis, learn from JCLO members in sectionals, join in a jam session, receive adjudication as an ensemble, and have the opportunity to attend the Virginia Arts Festival Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra concert. The top ensembles perform live on stage that night for the first half of the program.

Save the date for our next HBCU Jazz Residency:
April 1-3, 2027
Contact Christine Foust at cfoust@vafest.org for more information.