ryan finn, director
WHAT IS JAZZ PROJECT?
The Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association’s Jazz Project is the arm of the organization that focuses on the skills and techniques needed to perform America’s music - Jazz. The SFYSA Jazz Project is made up of a number of different small ensembles or combos. At this time, there is one ensemble in Santa Fe and four ensembles in Los Alamos.
SANTA FE
Atalaya Ensemble
Placed in group with players of similar age & ability
12-20 students Standard Audition Process Location: New Mexico School for the Arts Date: Thursdays, 5:30-7:00pm Instructor: Jesse Parker |
Tesuque Ensemble
Placed in group with players of similar age & ability
12-20 students Standard Audition Process Location: New Mexico School for the Arts Date: Thursdays, 530-7:00pm Instructor: Robbie Beasley |
LOS ALAMOS
The Quemazon Septet
Placed in group with players of similar age and ability
6-8 students
By Special Audition ONLY
This is a semi-professional, gigging ensemble
Location: Los Alamos High School
Date: Thursdays, 6:00-8:00pm
Instructor: Xander Mancino
6-8 students
By Special Audition ONLY
This is a semi-professional, gigging ensemble
Location: Los Alamos High School
Date: Thursdays, 6:00-8:00pm
Instructor: Xander Mancino
RENDIJA combo
Placed in group with players of similar age & ability
6-8 students Standard Audition Process Location: Los Alamos High School Date: Thursdays, 4:30-6:00pm Instructor: Xander Mancino guaje combo
Placed in group with players of similar age & ability
6-8 students Standard Audition Process Location: Los Alamos High School Date: Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00pm Instructor: William Finn Potrillo combo
Placed in group with players of similar age & ability
6-8 students Standard Audition Process Location: Los Alamos High School Date: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30pm Instructor: William Finn |
Pajarito ComboPlaced in group with players of similar age & ability
6-8 students Standard Audition Process Location: Los Alamos High School Date: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30pm Instructor: Xander Mancino Caldera combo
Placed in group with players of similar age & ability
6-8 students Standard Audition Process Location: Los Alamos High School Date: Thursdays, 4:30-6:00pm Instructor: William Finn capulin combo
Placed in group with players of similar age & ability
6-8 students Standard Audition Process Location: Los Alamos High School Date: Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00pm Instructor: Joey Farish |
AUDITION PROCESS |
All new students are required to perform a short audition for the SFYSA Jazz Project staff for placement into an ensemble. Students who are returning to Jazz Project are welcome to register without an audition.
Top Ensemble: Regardless of whether you are a new or a returning student, if you wish to try out for being placed in the top ensemble, please sign up for an audition. Once you've auditioned, you'll hear from our Jazz Director with the next steps.
Auditions for Big Band (Jazz Project- Santa Fe) will take place in person in Santa Fe on May 23rd, 2023, 4-7pm.
Auditions for Jazz Combos (Jazz Project- Los Alamos) will be held in Los Alamos on May 17th & 18th, 2023, 4-7pm.
Register online to schedule your audition.
Top Ensemble: Regardless of whether you are a new or a returning student, if you wish to try out for being placed in the top ensemble, please sign up for an audition. Once you've auditioned, you'll hear from our Jazz Director with the next steps.
Auditions for Big Band (Jazz Project- Santa Fe) will take place in person in Santa Fe on May 23rd, 2023, 4-7pm.
Auditions for Jazz Combos (Jazz Project- Los Alamos) will be held in Los Alamos on May 17th & 18th, 2023, 4-7pm.
Register online to schedule your audition.
TUITION & REGISTRATION |
Registration for the 2023-2024 season is now open.
Jazz Combos: We need to see who is registered before creating the combos. If you plan to be in Jazz Project- Los Alamos, please register as soon as possible. You will be contacted prior to the first rehearsal with which ensemble you've been placed in, and when your rehearsal time will be. All rehearsal times are listed below.
Tuition for SFYSA Jazz Project (LA & SF) is $600/year. There are family discounts, multiple ensemble discounts, and a sliding scale for those families in need of assistance.
Jazz Combos: We need to see who is registered before creating the combos. If you plan to be in Jazz Project- Los Alamos, please register as soon as possible. You will be contacted prior to the first rehearsal with which ensemble you've been placed in, and when your rehearsal time will be. All rehearsal times are listed below.
Tuition for SFYSA Jazz Project (LA & SF) is $600/year. There are family discounts, multiple ensemble discounts, and a sliding scale for those families in need of assistance.
CALENDAR |
Below are some important notes regarding the calendar.
- Los Alamos Rehearsals - Time determined by ensemble you are place in at Los Alamos High School
- Santa Fe Rehearsals - Thursdays, 5:30-7:00pm at New Mexico School for the Arts
- Auditions and Registration take place BEFORE the first rehearsal (check calendar)
FOR CURRENT STUDENTS
ABSENCE NOTIFICATION FORM
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SFYSA Attendance Policy
1) There are no excused/unexcused absences. Whether you're sick, at a soccer game, in a school play, etc., if you miss rehearsal you're considered absent. 2) On your third absence, your conductor/director will ask you to perform a playing test. This may be via a Flipgrid video, a recording, or to play for them in person. Playing in an ensemble is a team effort, and this ensures that you are prepared to participate to the best of your abilities, even if you miss class. 3) If after your 3rd absence, you play for your conductor and it's clear you are unprepared for participation in class, you will be put on probation. Your conductor and the Artistic Director will work with you to build an appropriate timeline to get back on track. If you do not make significant progress to get back on track within the timeline set, you are eligible for disenrollment from class for the remainder of the semester. 4) The Absence Notification form cannot be used for Dress Rehearsals or Concerts. Those are considered mandatory, and you must speak with your Conductor/Director directly if there is a problem or concern. What do I do if I'm going to be absent? 1) If you know well in advance, let your conductor know by filling out the Absence Notification form as soon as you know you'll be out. They can give you a heads up as to what sections they'll be rehearsing, and what is important to practice. 2) If your absence is last-minute, fill out the Absence Notification form as soon as possible so your conductor isn't looking for you to be at rehearsal. 3) Please do not call, text, or email your conductor or the office. The Absence Notification form MUST be completed for each absence. 4) If you forget to fill out the form, and you do not attend class, you will be asked to complete the form after the missed class. |
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HANDBOOK
CALENDAR
questions?
If you have any questions please reach out to Ryan Finn (ryan@sfysa.org). We are excited to have your family join us and we hope that we can truly make the SFYSA Jazz Project the right program for YOU.
about the director
Ryan Finn is currently a Band Director at Los Alamos Middle School & High School where he directs concert bands, jazz bands, and the LAHS Topper Marching Band. He is also the Director of Jazz for the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association where he runs the "Jazz Project" program in Santa Fe and Los Alamos. Ryan performs locally with a number of jazz and blues bands on trombone and leads a jazz group that performs many of his original compositions, most of which are in Caribbean and Latin American styles.
In January 2020 Ryan was awarded the NMMEA Music Educator of the Year Award and in January 2021 he had the distinct honor of leading one of the NMMEA All-State Jazz Bands. |
Currently, Ryan serves as the Vice President of Jazz for the NM Music Educators Association and is working statewide to help create an educational space and priority for jazz and improvisational music.
Before joining the SFYSA team as Director of Jazz, Ryan directed the Youth Philharmonic for SFYSA, helping to grow the program over a four-year period. During the “COVID” school year, he was instrumental in creating a virtual concert series including a 405-student nationwide combined youth orchestra presentation.
Ryan received a Bachelor of Music Education in 2004 from Loyola University - New Orleans and a Masters of Educational Leadership in 2018 from New Mexico Highlands University. He regularly clinics middle school and high school bands from around the state and his own groups regularly receive Superior ratings at district festivals and the NM State Contest.
Before returning to New Mexico in 2012, Ryan taught band, orchestra, jazz, and music theory for seven years at the St. Lucia of Music on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. He also performed with many well-known Caribbean musicians such as Luther Francois, Barbara Cadet, Alison Marquis, Ronald 'Boo' Hinkson, and Rob 'Zi' Taylor. While in St. Lucia, Ryan arranged and composed in a variety of local folk styles and has a portfolio of over 30 compositions. Some of these pieces include full symphonic works, musicals, jazz band charts, concert band arrangements, and more.
In his free time, Ryan can be found hiking and skiing around Northern New Mexico with his wife Ellen, their 3 children, and their dog.
Before joining the SFYSA team as Director of Jazz, Ryan directed the Youth Philharmonic for SFYSA, helping to grow the program over a four-year period. During the “COVID” school year, he was instrumental in creating a virtual concert series including a 405-student nationwide combined youth orchestra presentation.
Ryan received a Bachelor of Music Education in 2004 from Loyola University - New Orleans and a Masters of Educational Leadership in 2018 from New Mexico Highlands University. He regularly clinics middle school and high school bands from around the state and his own groups regularly receive Superior ratings at district festivals and the NM State Contest.
Before returning to New Mexico in 2012, Ryan taught band, orchestra, jazz, and music theory for seven years at the St. Lucia of Music on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. He also performed with many well-known Caribbean musicians such as Luther Francois, Barbara Cadet, Alison Marquis, Ronald 'Boo' Hinkson, and Rob 'Zi' Taylor. While in St. Lucia, Ryan arranged and composed in a variety of local folk styles and has a portfolio of over 30 compositions. Some of these pieces include full symphonic works, musicals, jazz band charts, concert band arrangements, and more.
In his free time, Ryan can be found hiking and skiing around Northern New Mexico with his wife Ellen, their 3 children, and their dog.
2023 spring concert videos
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