Congratulations to the 2012 Young Jazz Leaders Honors Band

It was a very special occasion as the 2012 Young Jazz Leaders Honors Band took the stage at the 2nd Annual South Florida Jazz Summit conducted by Christopher Dorsey, Band Director of the award winning Dillard Center for the Arts Jazz Band.

The event was held the the Bienes Center for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, January 15th, 2012.

This year's Young Jazz Leaders Honors Band included:

Zoe Fromer – Atlantic Community High School
Ben Stocker– Dillard Center for the Arts
Iala Teresa-Callega – Academy of Arts and Minds
Charlie Steiner – Dillard Center for the Arts
Sebastian Rios – New World School of the Arts / Alex Berti Music Academy
Andrew Forman – Atlantic Community High School

This year’s winners of the Young Jazz Leaders Scholarship were: Andrew Forman & Ben Stocker.

The Young Jazz Leaders Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to promising young high school and college level Jazz musicians with the goal of inspiring individuals to become high achievers, developing future leaders in the community, empowering the next generation of Jazz musicians, and nurturing young fans of this artform.

Selection for this year’s recipients were based on live audition. Students from grades 8-12th and college level students that demonstrate a high level of proficiency in Jazz performance and improvisation are recommended by corresponding school band director and selected by audition.

Scholarships are used solely for the study of Jazz at a band camp or if it is awarded to a graduating senior, the student must be enrolled in college as a full time student majoring in Jazz Studies.

"Every young person has the potential to become a great leader", said Bobby Ramirez, Founder and President of Jazzonian.

"I want every kid to know that Jazz is not just about music and playing an instrument. With this artform, you can make a conscious choice to become a high achiever by believing and leading yourself. Each of these kids made a conscience choice to become exceptional. And that is what Young Jazz Leaders is all about."

"Today we proudly bequeath and entrust the future of Jazz in the capable hands of South Florida's Young Jazz Leaders!"

Program Director for the 2012 Young Jazz Leaders Honors Band is Karen Dorsey.

If you would like to have the Young Jazz Leaders Honors Band perform at your special event, please call 305-298-2380 or email to info@jazzonian.org.

Thank you to our great media sponsors:

WDNA, JAZZIZ Magazing WLRN, Stu Grant Radio Show.

Event Photography by Russell Leven, Cleve Bryant and Amy Pasquantonio. Video Production by Joseph Dunn (224-633-6126)

More about the Young Jazz Leades Honors Band