9:00AM Coffee and pastries, catch up with old friends and colleagues and meet new ones

9:25AM Performance by SMTA member, TBA

9:30AM Business

10:00-11:00AM Presentation by Mack Grout: Teaching Jazz Improvisation to Beginners

Teaching improvisation to beginning improvisers and beginning musicians can be a fun, different approach to get music students engaged with the instrument and work on some ear training. In this presentation we will discuss tactics, strategies and improv games that teachers and students can work on to have a new perspective and diversify their lesson material.

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Mack Grout is a jazz pianist, educator and composer based in Seattle, Washington. Since graduating with a music degree from Cornish College of the Arts in 2008, Mack has travelled and performed extensively throughout the United States and Asia as a soloist, educator, and with a variety of different musical acts. From 2012-2016 he also worked as a musical director for jazz clubs throughout China.

Upon returning from living overseas Mack founded Seattle Jazz Academy, a jazz specific music school and community for musicians, instructors and students. As Seattle Jazz Academy continues to grow Mack is spending more time connecting with the musicians and educators in the region to curate concerts, masterclasses and spread the fun of what it is to study jazz and improvisation.