The Jazz Academy is the home of the educational initiatives of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Jazz at Lincoln Center’s (JALC) jazz education programs drive our organization’s efforts to advance the appreciation, understanding, and performance of jazz.  Our programs have been developed under the guiding vision of JALC’s Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, who during his visits to schools throughout our nation observed that the caliber of jazz education was often inferior to that of other fine arts.  In response, JALC now offers a continuum of jazz education programs that are designed to suit the varied interests and capabilities of children, teens, and adults. Students learn about jazz’s distinctly American heritage and history as well as its greatest musicians and compositions; they explore its connection to other art forms, and also study how to play jazz. JALC also disseminates its pedagogy and unique educational materials throughout the world.