The VJI Mission

The Valley  Jazz Institute, Inc.  (VJI) is a jazz education program that  teaches jazz literature, song forms, styles and improvisation in the setting of a LIVE jazz venue with professional jazz musicians. 

VJI programs provide annual jazz education scholarships and live performance opportunities for students in Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, the Fox Valley and surrounding communities. The VJI programs stress both school participation and practice at home. We partner with school programs to provide educational enrichment and additional opportunities for their students. We offer the opportunity for students of different schools to get together and create music, all the time learning and receiving inspiration from each other and regional professional jazz musicians.

The Valley  Jazz Institute, Inc.’s flagship program is Students’ Jam!  - a jazz JAM SESSION geared towards the opportunity of sharing musical ideas in a real world performance situation.  Area middle school and high school players,  as well as other local musicians of all ages,  are invited to join the members of the WAMI award winning Jazz Orgy (all educators as well as players) and a number  of regional jazz educators/performers for an evening of improvised music. 

The Valley Jazz Institute, Inc. operates according to these key principles:

FUN

The key to real learning is the desire to participate, and having a great time while doing it.

EDUCATION  

A musical and creative education is crucial to the development and nurturing of important life skills. We teach concrete musical and life skills that empower our student musicians.

INSPIRATION

Our instructors are real-world professional  musicians  and mentors to their students. They model our values through the actions they take and the experiences they share.

COMMUNITY-BUILDING

We focus on community-building to provide a strong support base for each student, and an experience that is both fully engaging and rewarding.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Students learn to lead in a teacher guided environment that builds trust and confidence.

PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Each student has control over their own musical experience and destiny.