top of page
Frost Summer Jazz DSC 0072.JPG

Jazz Instrumental Intensive

July 14-18, 2025

This unique week-long intensive is designed for instrumentalists interested in gaining experience in playing Jazz. In addition to developing your artistry in daily performance opportunities, you will improve your musical understanding and abilities while working with faculty members from the Frost School of Music. Classes in Improvisation, Jazz Theory and Ear Training, Arranging, and Jazz Composition are included in the curriculum. To expand your knowledge of the music industry, workshops in Recording and Production, Entrepreneurship, and aspects of the Music Business are offered. Another feature of the Frost Jazz Intensive is the College Prep Workshop, which includes a seminar in Audition Preparation. In collaboration with the jazz vocal summer program, the week will culminate with a final concert performance.

Meet the Program Director

Charles Bergeron

Dr. Chuck Bergeron is the Director of the Frost Summer Jazz Intensive Program for Instrumentalists. His design of this summer program creates a collaborative experience for talented students who might be interested in majoring in music in college. As an educator, Dr. Bergeron is the Program Director for Jazz Pedagogy at the Frost School of Music, as well as director of the Jazz Bass Studio and conductor of the multiple award-winning Frost Jazz Sextet and the Stamps Jazz Quintet. Chuck is also the Program Director for the Jazz Aspen Academy, a prestigeous summer program he runs in partnership with Artistic Director Christian McBride. As an artist, Chuck Bergeron’s career has spanned several decades. He has toured, performed, and recorded with a wide variety of jazz luminaries - including Stan Getz, Joe Williams, Dave Grusin, Randy Brecker, James Moody, Kevin Mahogany, Arturo Sandoval, Tom Scott, Sheila Jordan, John Abercrombie, and Bob Moses. Chuck is also an alum of the bands of Woody Herman and Buddy Rich. As a bandleader, Chuck is the director of the South Florida Jazz Orchestra, a critically-acclaimed modern big band comprised of many of the top jazz artists and studio musicians in Miami. The band has presented many great artists in concert over the last 15 years - including Janis Siegel, Wycliffe Gordon, Randy Brecker, Arturo Sandoval, Eddie Daniels, and John Fedchock. The band’s latest release, Cheap Thrills, features the writing and playing of Miles Davis saxophonist Rick Margitza. This recording garnered great reviews, including the Editor’s Pick in DownBeat Magazine, and four and five star reviews in several other respected publications.

  • Students must be in grades 9-12

    Please submit two video or audio examples of songs of any contrasting styles, featuring you playing either by yourself, with a group or accompanist, or using a backing track such as iRealPro or an Aebersold recording.

    On your video please tell us if there are any additional instruments you play, and which ensembles, if any, you perform with in school.

  • 9-10:05 Classes in Improvisation, Jazz Theory and Ear Training, Jazz History

    10:15-11:20 Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal

    11:30-12:35 LUNCH

    12:45-1:50 MASTERCLASS SESSIONS - Recording and Production, Entrepreneurship

    2-3:20 Jazz Arranging and Composition Seminars

    3:30-5 Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal

  • 2025 Program Tuition: $1,250

    Tuition Includes: Program Instruction and performance, daily lunch, and program shirt. Program tuition does not include: on campus housing and commuter parking. 

    Note: Camp tuition does not include the Acceptd Application fee of $50.00. 

  • On campus summer housing will be available for non-local program participants.

    Housing Check in day: Sunday, July 13, 2025 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm.
    Housing Check out day: Saturday, July 19, 2025 before 12:00pm. 

    Cost for Program Housing: $950.00

    Housing cost includes: Double Room occupancy for 13 nights, dorm linen package (bed sheet, comforter, pillow, bath towel, and washcloth), all daily meals (breakfast/lunch/dinner) in our dorm dining hall. 


    Students electing to add housing will need to indicate it on the application when asked. More information will be posted on the website once the University Housing Office finalizes all logistics for the new summer sessions. Any questions should be directed to: frostsummerprograms@miami.edu

bottom of page