Creating New Jazz Standards
Composition Program Overview:
Starting in the 2026-27 season, Young Lions Jazz Conservatory introduces a new Composition Program, offering students the chance to develop as jazz writers alongside their work as performers.
Meeting weekly on Sundays at 5:45 PM, the composition classes will be led by instructors Joshua White and Tonga Ross-Ma'u. Placement is determined by a written audition evaluating harmonic understanding, melodic writing, and compositional voice. While prior composition coursework isn't required, students should have a working knowledge of basic harmony theory to succeed in the audition.
Over the course of the season, students develop original works from first sketch to finished chart, studying melody, harmony, form, and arranging along the way. Each student's composition is workshopped with peer and instructor feedback before parts are extracted for performance.
The season culminates in live performances of student original works, giving every student the experience of hearing their own composition performed for a public audience.
About The Program
Who Is Eligible?
While prior composition coursework isn't required, students should have a working knowledge of basic harmony theory to succeed in the audition.
There are no age requirements.
Class Structure:
The structure of the class will touch on many subjects that will help solidify foundational knowledge that will aid them in their writing:
Phase One: Melody/harmony relationship, exploring form (e.g. blues, AABA, contrafacts), voice leading, and arranging for available instrumentation.
Phase Two: Students will pursue writing their own original compositions, bringing in their pieces into class to be presented and worked on together with their peers.
Phase Three: Once the songs have been worked on and are ready, students will finalize their charts with parts extracted to bring to a reading session/rehearsal consisting of YLJC student musicians.
Performance: A performance featuring 1 original song per composition student will serve as a capstone to the end of the 20 week program.
Tuition
Tuition is paid by the academic year. There is also a recurring monthly payment plan available.
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Current YLJC Ensemble Students: $625
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JJO, JJBB Only Students: $1250
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New Students: $1250
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$25 non-refundable registration fee for new students.
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There is no aditional registration fee for current ensemble students or big band students
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There are no class material fees
Billing invoices are sent via email after placements.
Scholarships
We believe no student should miss out on the opportunity and enrichment that music education provides.
Full, half and gap scholarships are available to students who show merit and whose families demonstrate financial need.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
Limited number of scholarships available for the Jazz Composition program
Scholarship window for the Youth Ensemble Program is closed. Scholarships are only available for the Jazz Composition Program.
Class Calendar
20-Week Schedule
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Start: Oct 18th
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End May: 2nd
Classes Meetings: Sundays, 5:45 to 7:15 PM
Class Locations:
Mary McKenzie Studio - 2590 Truxtun Rd, SUITE 102
San Diego, CA 92106 | Google Maps
Georgiou Family Studio - 2650 Truxtun Rd, SUITE 107
San Diego, CA 92106 | Google Maps
Instructors
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Pianist and composer named a DownBeat Rising Star on keyboards two years running (2023, 2024).
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Praised by Herbie Hancock for his bold, original improvisational voice. Finalist, Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition.
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Performs worldwide. Leads his own trio. Released solo album Flora and Fauna in 2025.
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Wheaton College - MA in Jazz Studies
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San Diego State University - MA in Composition
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15 years' experience teaching jazz harmony, composition, and electronic production.
Jazz Composition Registration
Registration Now Open
Registration for the 2026-27 academic year
All new and returning students must register.
Important Dates:
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September 21: Registration Closed
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September 28: Auditions Due
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October 18: Classes Begin
Limited Spots Available.
STUDENT REGISTRATION
*$25 non-refundable registration fee for NEW students.
There is no registration fee for current Youth Ensemble, Workshop or Jacobs Big Band students.
Composition Audition Process
Composition Audition Information:
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Students must register prior to submitting an audition.
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Compositions can be handwritten on manuscript paper or composed digitally using MuseScore (free) or similar music notation software.
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Auditions must be submitted in a PDF format.
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Audition Deadline: September 28, 2026
Composition Audition Requirements:
Students will choose one or more of the three compositional templates below to write an original song:
Students may adapt the typical harmony used in these forms in ways that suit their vision.
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Write a song using a "Blues" form in the key of F. Write in either a standard 12 bar blues form, a Bebop blues, a Bird Blues, or a Minor Blues.
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What is a Blues form? A 12-bar chord progression, one of the foundational structures in jazz. Multiple variations exist (standard, Bebop, Bird, Minor) but all share the same 12-bar length.
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Write a song using the "Rhythm Changes" form in the key of Bb.
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What is Rhythm Changes? A 32-bar chord progression based on George Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" . One of the most commonly used forms in jazz for writing new melodies over.
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Write a contrafact based on the song "Night & Day."
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What is a contrafact? A new melody written over the existing chord changes of an already-existing song, keeping the harmony but replacing the tune.
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Submit Your Audition:
Click the button below to upload your audition.
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Auditions must be submitted in a PDF format
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Rename your PDF:
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First name, Last name, Composition Audition 2026
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Audition Deadline: September 28, 2026
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Students will be placed in an appropriate class to match their experience/abilities based on their audition.
Placement:
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Due to the high level of interest in the program, placement is not guaranteed for any student—new or returning—as space is limited
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Placement announcements are sent via email.