Jazz Program

The Piano Workshop is one of very few music schools who has faculty members that are well versed in Jazz studies. Some students choose Jazz as a specific musical direction at some point in their musical journey, and having access to an instructor who has this expertise is critical to pursue this path.

Our objective for our Jazz Program is to allow the student to explore and become familiar with techniques used in performing Jazz piano either as a soloist or an ensemble player. The study of this genre serves as a way of unlocking our musical creativity through a deeper understanding of the rules & theory that make music work and a development of vocabulary from which the musician learns to ‘speak’! During the students lessons they’ll be learning the building blocks of playing Jazz through the study of the Great American Song Book. This includes developing a strong vocabulary of the scales and modes, a deeper understanding of the music through harmonic analysis and listening assignments, and learning various approaches to improvisation.

Meet Jeremy Sweet, Director of Jazz Studies

Mr. Jeremy Sweet has performed extensively as an accomplished pianist spending much of the past decade performing all around the tristate area. After graduating with a degree in Jazz Piano Performance from Moravian College, Mr. Sweet spent the next decade performing in and around Philadelphia where he had taken the role of a sideman, accompanist, and as a leader of his own jazz trio. His career has granted him the opportunity of performing at a number of prestigious venues such as the Kimmel Center, The Philadelphia Museum, The Barnes Museum, and The Curtis Center to name a few.

Aside from performing, Mr. Sweet has spent two decades instructing many other pianists of all ages, from beginners to advanced in everything from Classical to Pop to Jazz. His teaching style involves educating the student on the fundamentals of playing the instrument while establishing a strong foundation in reading, technique, and theory. Mr. Sweet specializes in Jazz Studies as well, guiding musicians who wish to advance their understanding of harmony and improvisation. Mr. Sweet is a firm believer that the study of music improves one’s critical thinking skills. Through guidance that is tailored to each student’s unique abilities, learning style, and interests it is possible to establish a solid foundation from which a student can reach their full potential. Mr. Sweet has been with the Piano Workshop since 2015.