PMEA District 6 Jazz Festival 2024

Picture this: Tucked away in the snowy foothills, I found myself on a jazz adventure at the Tussey Mountain High School PMEA District 6 Jazz Festival. Being blessed to come back for a 2nd year, I was the vocal jazz clinician, but what I got was so much more.

Students trekked in from every corner, Altoona to Northern Bedford, each carrying their own jazz dreams. We dove into a setlist that spanned from Bob James to Disney magic. Day one was a harmonic playground: jazz techniques, impromptu scat, and laughter. But day two threw us a curveball: snow barreling in, schools closing. Our evening concert abruptly shifted to an early afternoon showdown.

No fancy attire. Just raw, unfiltered music, a jazz jam fueled by adrenaline and snowflakes. We sang, we swung, and then I raced the snowstorm home. It was a wild ride, chaotic yet unforgettable. And I would do it all again for that electric connection with those students and the music.

Check out the Program: