NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s flagship music education program, the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music (HSM), will host auditions for the fall 2026 semester on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center. HSM offers free music education to students ages 8 to 18 at all experience levels. Providing free music instruction to New Orleans’ youth underscores the Foundation’s commitment to fostering and encouraging the next generation of musicians. For more information and/or to submit an audition request form, visit www.heritageschoolofmusic.com.
Since its inception in 1990, HSM states it has expanded access to high-quality music education opportunities in New Orleans. Students ranging from introductory to advanced levels receive free music instruction in instrumental and vocal performance, music theory, audio engineering, and studio recording from some of New Orleans’ most notable musicians. Each year, advanced HSM students have the opportunity to perform for high-profile events, including French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell.
“Every voice has a story worth telling, and every student deserves a safe space to grow,” said Grammy-nominated artist and HSM Voice Faculty Quiana Lynell. “Jazz is New Orleans’ greatest gift to the world, born from the cultural journey, resilience, and sacrifices of the generations who came before us. My goal is to help students connect with that legacy while discovering their own authentic voices in a space where vocalists build healthy technique, explore their artistry with confidence, and carry this living tradition forward with excellence and joy.”
DON “MOOSE” JAMISON HERITAGE SCHOOL OF MUSIC FALL SEMESTER PROGRAMS (The first week of class begins Sept. 14 and the last week of class begins Dec. 14.)
HSM BEGINNERS
Mondays or Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Designed with introductory-level students in mind, HSM Beginners focuses on the fundamentals of instrumental performance, vocal training, music theory, sight-reading, ear training, composition, and ensemble playing.
HERITAGE SCHOOL
Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and/or Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Heritage School offers a more advanced level of instruction in instrumental performance, vocal training, music theory, sight-reading, ear training, composition, and ensemble playing. Heritage School students have live performance opportunities and access to high-level events including French Quarter Fest and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell.
HSM VOCAL WORKSHOPS WITH TONYA BOYD-CANNON
Mondays or Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (families can select the class day they prefer)
Led by acclaimed singer and music educator Tonya Boyd-Cannon, HSM Vocal Workshops focus on developing students’ solo singing. Ms. Boyd-Cannon’s dynamic, contemporary-focused curriculum teaches the fundamentals of vocal technique, exposes students to the diversity of vocal repertoire, and supports the development of a healthy self-concept.
For more information about the Don “Moose” Jamison Heritage School of Music and/or its programs, contact Andrea Garcés, Assistant Director of the Heritage School of Music, by emailing HSM@jazzandheritage.org or visit www.heritageschoolofmusic.com.