jazz
intensive
The University of Saskatchewan Jazz Intensive
The University of Saskatchewan Jazz Intensive is a unique and innovative 7-day jazz educational opportunity open to high school and undergraduate university students (up to age 22). Under the guidance of highly skilled professional jazz educators/performers, the University of Saskatchewan Jazz Intensive allows students to explore jazz music in an engaging, hands-on way.
Who It’s For
High school and undergraduate university students (up to age 22).
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July 4-10, 2026 (inclusive). This camp runs daily from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. There are no jazz camp scheduled activities in the evenings, however there are jam session and concert attendance opportunities each day as the USask Jazz Intensive runs concurrently with the Sask Jazz Festival.
This year’s dates
What’s Included?
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Instruction in jazz history, theory, improvisation, ensemble, composition and arranging
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Artist career development
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Meeting like-minded people from across Western Canada eager to develop their own jazz-specific music skill sets and peer networks
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Challenging opportunities for students of all music ability levels
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Significant one-on-one instruction by our all Canadian faculty
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A full SaskJazz Festival Pass. Passes must be presented in-person with ID for admission to events and 19+ events also require photo ID for proof of age
Important information
There is no audition required. Instead, all applications will be processed in the order in which they are received. As such, we highly encourage you to consider applying sooner than later.
All applicants to the program must submit a registration application (see link below).
A participation fee of $250 applies for each musician accepted into the program.
Payment methods for registration: Cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard or cheque (payable to Saskatchewan Jazz Festival, Inc.).
Note: Cheques will not be cashed until after the applicant has been informed they have been accepted.
FAQS
Yes. A final public performance for the 2026 Jazz Intensive is scheduled for July 10 at 2:00 PM in Quance Theatre (located at 28 Campus Drive, which is the University of Saskatchewan Education Building). Admission is free for this concert but donations are gratefully accepted.
Students from outside Saskatoon are welcome to participate. However, all students are responsible for their own transportation, accommodations and meals to/from the U of S campus, which is where all University of Saskatchewan Jazz Intensive activities are to take place.
All Instrumentalists (all instrument types) and all vocalists are welcome to apply. Every effort will be made to match student age and ability level to similar students to maximize learning and enjoyment for all participants.
Yes! Please complete the brief Bursary Application at the link below, and we will review your submission and contact you via email if approved. (Note: Please complete the bursary application first, and wait for a response from the Festival prior to completing the Jazz Intensive registration form, otherwise the payment amount will not be adjusted).
Questions regarding the program’s educational content may be directed to Coordinator Dean McNeill at dean.mcneill@usask.ca.
Questions about registration may be directed to SaskJazz Festival Executive Director Shannon Josdal at shannon@saskjazz.com.
2026 USask Jazz Intensive Faculty
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Avery Vold
A Message from The University of Saskatchewan Jazz Intensive Program Coordinator
It is a pleasure to be again involved in the Jazz Intensive music education project hosting this project within the University of Saskatchewan Department of Music. We have once again assembled an impressive list of all Canadian jazz educators/teachers who are at a variety of stages in their own career development. This faculty will again be working in close quarters with some of Western Canada’s most promising up-and-coming jazz talent through this jazz camp. The University of Saskatchewan’s Jazz Intensive facilitates a special kind of experiential-based learning! A special thank you to the jazz festival and its partners, the UofS and the Saskatchewan Band Association, for their enthusiastic support of this important educational initiative!
Dean McNeill
Jazz Intensive Program Coordinator and music faculty member within the University of Saskatchewan School For The Arts