iGnitE jAzz! 2027
Save the date. An interest form is coming soon, with full registration details to follow.
Past years:
A Camp for Every Player
iGnitE jAzz! is the Madison Jazz Society’s summer jazz camp and educational intensive, open to musicians of all ages and skill levels. Over five days you play in big bands and small combos, get coaching in instrument-specific sessions, and choose elective classes that go deeper into what you care about. Whether you are picking up improvisation for the first time or you have been playing for decades, there is a place in the music for you.
A Day at Camp
Your week runs on a full daily rhythm: mornings for warm-ups and combos, afternoons for big band and electives, evenings open to the community for the iGnitE Buffet, and a Friday that builds to the closing concert.
Monday to Thursday
- 8:30–10:00 AM — Warm-ups, instrument-specific
- 10:15–11:30 AM — Combo rehearsals, each group with an instructor playing alongside
- 11:30 AM–12:30 PM — Lunch, with optional classic jazz listening and discussion
- 12:30–1:45 PM — Elective Improvisation or Transcription sessions, divided by skill level
- 2:00–3:30 PM — Big band and large creative ensemble
- 3:30–4:00 PM — Break
- 4:00 PM onward — The iGnitE Buffet
Friday
- 4:00–5:30 PM — Set up and sound check
- 5:30–6:30 PM — Group dinner with family and friends
- 6:30–8:30 PM — Concert and presentation, free and open to all
The iGnitE Buffet
Served twice nightly · 4:00 & 6:00 PM
Each evening, camp opens its doors to the whole community.
The iGnitE Buffet is a run of free drop-in sessions led by camp instructors and guest artists, campers and public alike. Every session runs twice, so anyone can come after work or school. Free to attend, with a suggested $30 donation.
FreeOpen to the publicTwice each eveningSuggested $30
On the menu in past years:
Learn to Speak Jazz · Circle Singing · Jazz Tap · Funky Drummers · Freedom Dreaming & Improvisatory Play
The 2027 lineup is announced closer to camp.
Who You’ll Learn From
2027 faculty announced soon. In the meantime, here is the crew who taught in 2026. Many return year to year.
Austin Cebulske
Saxophonist, composer, and Lecturer of Saxophone at UW–Platteville. austincebulskejazz.com
Lucy Croasdale
Saxophonist, composer, and educator with a Master's in Music Performance from UT Austin. lucycroasdale.com
Jordan Kowalski
Drummer, educator, and composer; Ph.D. student in Music Studies at UW–Madison. Instagram
Laurie Lang
Bassist, educator, and president of the Madison Jazz Society. laurielangmusic.com
Cole Pecor
Guitarist, singer, and Master's student in Jazz Studies at UW–Madison. colepecor.com
Mark Saltzman
Retired band director at Madison East High School; directs the Madison New Horizons Band. wsmamusic.org
Katherine Schmit
Trumpeter; brass instructor and manager at the Wilder Deitz School for Creative Music. katherineschmit.com
Dan VanZeeland
Composer, arranger, and pianist; three-time DownBeat award winner. Instagram
Chris Wagoner
Violinist and multi-instrumentalist; Instructor of Music at Beloit College and author of the Hal Leonard Fiddle Method. gainesandwagoner.com
A Week in the Life
Come Play With Us
August 2–6, 2027 · WYSO Center, 1118 E. Washington Ave, Madison
Registration details are on the way. iGnitE jAzz! 2027 is open to players of every age and level, and no one is turned away for cost. Scholarships and support keep tuition from being a barrier, so if the price gives you pause, reach out and we will make it work.
Help Us Keep the Music Going
iGnitE runs on donations and grants. Because tuition and donations flow to the same place, your gift can go straight toward a camper’s spot, enough to send a player who could not otherwise come. Every dollar keeps the music within reach for the next student.