J&J Realty Scholarship: Janet and JoyLynn Offer a Full Scholarship to a Deserving Young Lion
J&J Realty contributed $1,000 and we raised an additional $1,100.00 from generous community members. The total amount of $2,100 will cover tuition and private instruction for a young musician who would otherwise be unable to join YLJC.
2017 Impact Report: See the Impact of YOUR Donations on YLJC
Young Lions Jazz Conservatory is pleased to provide you with our first ever impact report. The impact of your generosity and support over the span of just under five months has been remarkable, and we can’t thank you enough for making so much possible for our kids. Together, we are making a difference in young lives.
In the News: Instructor Rob Thorsen Featured in San Diego Troubadour Magazine
This month power couple Rob Thorsen (YLJC Instructor) and Steph Johnson appear on the cover of San Diego Troubadour. They discuss their home, their life together as working musicians, their musical up-bringing, and their work with the homeless choir. A truly inspiring read!
San Diego Music Awards:Gilbert Castellanos Nominated for Artist of the Year!
Congratulations Young Lions Jazz Conservatory Artistic Director Gilbert Castellanos on your nomination for “Artist of the Year” from the San Diego Music Awards!
In the News: John Murray Featured in The Reader!
We are proud of our thirteen-year-old bassist John Murray for being featured in The San Diego Reader this week! This incredibly talented young man explains his musical beginnings, the opportunities he has at Young Lions Jazz Conservatory, and his musical aspirations.
Partnership: YLJC Teams Up with Theatre Arts School of San Diego for a Performance!
Students of Young Lions Jazz Conservatory partnered with the young actors of Theatre Art School of San Diego on a production of Midsummer Night’s Dream. The production was set in the roaring twenties and featured jazz music from our conservatory students, tumblers from May Acro and Dance and a cast of incredible young actors.
Young Arts Winners: Serena Geroe and Jason Picker
Two Young Lions Jazz Conservatory students received Young Arts awards. Pianist Jason Picker received "Jazz Composition Merit Award," this is a big honor! Serena Geroe (guitar) and Jason Picker were...
On KSDS: Young Lions Trio Getting Airplay on Jazz 88
Dharma Dorazio, bass, and Carmen Murray, drums, two Young Lions Jazz Conservatory students, joined forces with Edward Gabrielyan, keys, (a not-so-Young-Lion, he graduated out of the program last year) to form “The Misletone Trio” to do some holiday jazz. They recorded a promotional CD/EP that somehow found it’s way to KSDS Jazz 88 radio station.
In the News: Troubadour Magazine Features Our 16-Year-Old Vocal Student in “Shades of Ella: Zion Dyson”
We are pleased to have our 16-year-old vocalist Zion Dyson featured this month in The San Diego Troubadour magazine. Zion’s passion for jazz certainly stands out in this feature. She discusses her start on the stage at The San Diego Junior Theater, her jazz education with Gilbert and Lorraine Castellanos, her involvement with the Young Lions, and her dream of studying jazz at USC’s Thornton School of Music. Congratulations, Zion, and thanks for putting the spotlight on San Diego’s youth jazz scene.
Placement Auditions: Now Accepting Audition Videos for Second Semester, Due Dec. 31
We are now accepting placement audition videos for the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory second semester. Artistic Director Gilbert Castellanos will use these videos to place students in the correct level ensemble. Audition videos are due Dec. 31, 2017.
You’re Invited! Young Lions Jazz Conservatory Open House
You’re invited to The Young Lions Jazz Conservatory Open House. We welcome you to get a rare sneak peek into a Young Lions Jazz Conservatory class! Read more to see our class schedule.
In the News: San Diego Troubadour’s Cover Story – “Gilbert Castellanos: Man on a Mission”
Here is a terrific, in-depth piece about our Founder and Artistic Director Gilbert Castellanos written by Robert Bush. Bush captures what inspires us most about Gilbert: his talent, his work ethic, and his dedication to the next generation of jazz.