"The Salt Lake Academy is committed to providing the highest quality jazz music education and opportunities to connect and empower the youth with the essence of jazz. Our goal is to inspire artistic and intellectual growth through the diversity of the genre, improvising connections between jazz and rock, funk and hip-hop. Our emphasis on communication and creative collaboration is designed to refine musical technique, build individual confidence, and cultivate lasting relationships with aspiring performers. Students will work with professional jazz artists in individual lessons, small ensembles, recording and live performances statewide."
- Dr. John Petrucelli, SLAM Jazz Director
John Petrucelli is the Visiting Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Utah. Jazz Weekly describes his compositions as a “potent blend of yin and yang that captivates the listener. He earned his PhD in Music from the University of Pittsburgh while releasing three albums as a leader: The Way (2015), Mischievous Minx (2017), and Presence (2018). Most recently, Most recently, John was commissioned to compose and record a composition he titled “Coming Home,” in support of the release of the Disney Pixar movie SOUL.
Learn more about John Petrucelli here
JAZZ PROGRAMS
Lessons Program • Ages 7-18
2021-2022 School Year: 30, 45, 60-minute weekly lesson
WOODWINDS • BRASS • PIANO • GUITAR • BASS • DRUMS • SYNTHESIZER • MALLETS
Sliding fee scale based on tuition from $150/mo for weekly 30-minutes
Performance Program • Ages 18 and younger
2021-2022 School Year: 2-hours/weekly • Quarterly Shows • Summer Festivals in 2022
Auditions: By appointment. Fill out the form below.
Program: Mondays 6-8 pm thrtough August 2022
Performs: Quarterly + Summer Festivals
Tuition: $1,800/yr or $200/mo on a sliding fee scale.
CALL 801-577-2262, Ext 1
Recording Program • Ages 11-18
2021-2022 School Year
Student engineers/producers learn to track, mix and master recordings.
Student musicians learn to track their parts correctly.
July/August 2022
CALL 801-577-2262, Ext 1
SLAM JAZZ TEAM
Aidan Woodward Acoustic/ Electric Bass
Aidan Woodward is an active jazz, bluegrass, rock, pop and funk bassist who received his degree from the jazz program at Snow College.
Chris Shemwell Drums/Electronic Music
Chris is a drummer, producer, and visual artist born in Salt Lake. He received his Bachelor's of Music from Berklee School of Music in Electronic Production & Design.
Since graduating, Chris has been giving back to the music community at SLAM produce local artists, and to advance the art of rhythm and music technology.
Chris Petty Drums/Mallets/Electronic Music
Chris holds a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music in Electronic Production and Design. It was through the electronic production program at Berklee that Chris discovered a passion for music production, electronic music, synthesis, sound design, and music technology. He loves working with music technology and creating new systems for musical expression using hardware and software controllers.
Georgi Petrov Guitar
Georgi Petrov is a diversely skilled Bulgarian-born musician, producer, and recording artist who left New Orleans to make SLC his home during the 2020 pandemic. Georgi holds a Masters in Jazz Studies from the University of New Orleans and an undergraduate degree in Economics and Music from Lawrence University. You can learn more about Georgi here.
Nick Zunkowski Saxophones & Clarinet
Nick Zunkowski is a Saxophonist and Guitarist who earned his undergraduate degree in Commercial Music from Snow College. Nick studied with renowned saxophonists such as Patrick Cornelius and Chase Baird, since then Nick has been an active performer in the Utah music scene.
JD Roulliard Piano
JD started playing piano when he was 4, and has worked as a performing musician since age 17. He plays keyboards and sings in jazz, blues, and pop-influenced groups around the greater SLC area. JD studied at Westminster College and is passionate about performance and education.
Joe Chisholm Trombone
Joe holds a Masters degree in jazz studies and trombone performance.
Tyler Webb Trumpet
Tyler Webb is a trumpeter, pianist, and composer who found early recognition as a semi-finalist for the National Trumpet Competition at age 14 and went on to be a soloist in the Jazz Band of America, and has performed six Europe, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, and all across the United States, reaching Carnegie Hall at the age of 16. He has performed and recorded with Jeff Coffin, Randy Brecker, Roy “Futureman” Wooten, Felix Pastorius, Wayne Bergeron, Poncho Sanchez, and more. Tyler shares the joy of music e through performing and teaching.