Jazz House Kids

Jazz House Kids' mission is to transform young lives and open doors to the future by offering pre-professional, year-round musical training, community engagement, and education programs for K-12 students from diverse backgrounds. Internationally renowned jazz performers teach alongside their professional staff, offering students a wide range of creative programming that develops musical potential, enhances leadership and life skills, and strengthens academic performance.

Born out of a collaboration of mutual admiration, respect, and "a little strife," the duo of Melissa Walker and Christian McBride head up JAZZ HOUSE KiDS. The couple have a shared musical sensibility and a belief in the importance of building a legacy and being a part of something bigger than yourself. Melissa is a constant presence at the jazz house she constructed nearly 20 years ago, hiring a village of professional jazz musicians who educate and mentor kids from New Jersey, New York, and worldwide. Every day the people of JAZZ HOUSE KiDS create unique creative programs and initiatives that provide a safe, nurturing, extraordinary musical home for anyone lucky enough to be a part of it.

At Jazz House Kids, they believe that learning to understand, create, and love jazz is a great American art form. It reaps lifelong benefits that every child deserves to enjoy. They know that music creates bonds and builds communities. That's why everything they do is saturated with jazz. Step into their rehearsal rooms, an in-school program, one of their events, or even their office, and you'll find music in the air! They put these beliefs into practice in a variety of ways and places: In schools, at the JAZZ HOUSE studio, and within the larger communities where they work, they've built circles of enthusiastic students, dedicated staff, first-rate professional teaching artists, supporters, and friends.