Aspiring young musicians in Stratford will have new opportunities to refine their craft this summer as Stratford Summer Music expands its educational programming for the 2026 season.
The festival’s Jazz Academy is set to run from July 27 to August 1, 2026, offering intensive training for students aged 25 and under. This year’s program features a comprehensive curriculum that includes three hours of personalized instrument instruction, six hours of ensemble jam sessions, and focused time on composition and traditional jazz literature. Students will also gain experience with spontaneous creation and participate in a public masterclass. The program culminates with two performances on the MusicBarge, located on the banks of the Avon River.
To lead these sessions, the festival has assembled a faculty of four prominent Canadian jazz musicians: drummer Jim Doxas, pianist Florian Hoefner, saxophonist Kelly Jefferson, and bassist Jodi Proznick. Additionally, the academy is introducing two new teaching assistant positions for graduate-level students, which include a $750 stipend to help participants develop their own teaching skills.
Applications for the Jazz Academy are due by April 15, 2026. Tuition for the program is $900, following an early-bird deadline that passed on March 1, 2026.
The festival is also hosting its Vocal Academy from July 13 to July 18, 2026. This program is designed for musicians who are currently in or have recently completed degree or training programs and are in the early stages of their careers. The vocal sessions are led by a faculty that includes two-time Dora Award winner Marcus Nance, with a focus on technique and musicianship within a collaborative environment.
These educational initiatives continue the festival’s longstanding commitment to youth development. Now under the artistic direction of Mark Fewer and the leadership of Executive Director Crystal L. Spicer, the festival remains a key cultural fixture in Ontario, having been recognized in 2024 as one of the best classical music festivals in the United States and Canada by BBC Music Magazine.
