
EE 2026
LINCOLN CENTER NYC
Monday April 27 thru Sunday May 3, 2026
UPDATES:
3/3/26
From Liberty to the Edge: Tuesday April 28th
Tuesday, April 28th, is all about exploring the landmarks that define the spirit of New York City. We’re taking the students on a journey from the city’s historic roots at sea level to its modern heights in the clouds.
🗽 A Morning at the Harbor
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We’ll begin the day with a ferry trip across the New York Harbor to visit two of the most significant sites in American history:
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The Statue of Liberty Museum: A chance to stand at the feet of a global icon of freedom.
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The Ellis Island Immigration Museum: Exploring the gateway where generations of stories—and the cultures that helped create jazz—first arrived on American soil.
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🏙️ Scaling the Skyline
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From the harbor, we’re heading straight up to the top. We’ll be visiting The Edge Observation Deck, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. Suspended 100 stories above Manhattan, it offers a 360-degree view of the "Big Apple"!
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2/17/26 - Hotel info:
➡️ Hotel Information
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Shared double rooms (two beds, two students)
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Hotel Room Block Available For Family and Friends
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We have a block of 10 rooms reserved for families who will be joining us.
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The discounted rate is $269 per night.
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Check-in is Thursday, April 30, and check-out is Sunday, May 3.
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Additional nights will be at their standard hotel rate.
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If you add additonal nights, the link will not work, so it is advised that you book twice.
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Classic King Rooms
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Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend booking early if you plan to stay. with us! Deadline: March 31
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➡️ Use This Link to Book: Young Lions Jazz Conservatory | Park Central
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2/15/26 - Big news:
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Dr. Irwin Jacobs has generously offered to fund the EE trip for all JJO students. We cannot thank him enough for his incredible generosity and for making this dream a reality for our students.
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Included for each JJO student:
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Airfare to and from New York City
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Bus transportation to and from the airport
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Hotel accommodations (shared rooms)
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Admission to two city excursions (we are finalizing details and will share more soon)
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One group dinner (in addition to the EE band dinner)
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A $520 gift card for checked baggage, meals and subway fares
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Note to students: New York City is expensive. You’ll need to stretch this out and be smart about your spending. We will provide a list of cheap eats near the hotel.
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Itinerary (subject to change)
Monday 4/27 — Flight to New York City ✈️
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5:00 AM: Meet at San Diego International (Purchase food in the airport!)
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Alaska Airlines #: AS 0024
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San Diego, CA (SAN) to NY-Kennedy, NY (JFK)
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Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
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Departure Time: 6:52 AM
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Arrival Time: 3:29 PM
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3:29 PM: Arrive in NYC, Charter Bus to Park Central Hotel
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5:30 PM: Arrive at Hotel and Check In
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7:00 PM: Dinner Nearby
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9:30 PM: Return to Hotel
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11:00 PM: Lights out
Tuesday 4/28 — City Sites 🗽🏙️
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9:00 AM: Breakfast Nearby (see Cheap Eats list)
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10:00 AM: MEET IN HOTEL LOBBY
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10:10 AM: Subway to Battery Park
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R train or W train: Enter 57 St-7 Av Station (Downtown) - Exit Whitehall St-South Ferry - Walk to Battery Park
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11:00 AM: Ferry trip to the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island Immigration
Museum 🗽 -
2:00 PM: Lunch
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Walk to Liberty Bagels | Albitino’s Pizza,| Los Tacos
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3:00 PM: Subway to The Edge Observation Deck
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A train or C train: Enter Fulton St Station - Exit station 34 St-Penn Station - Walk to The Edge (via 33rd St)
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Time TBD: Subway back to hotel
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7 train: Enter 34 St-Hudson Yards to Times Sq - 42 St - Leave train & stay under ground - Transfer to N train (Uptown/Queens: Astoria-Ditmars Blvd) - Exit 57 St-7 Av Station
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Time TBD: Dinner Nearby (see Cheap Eats list)
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9:30 PM: Return to Hotel
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11:00 PM: Lights Out
Wednesday 4/29 — More info coming soon
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City sights🗽
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Practice performance (location TBD)
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Early night and rest up 🌙
Thursday 4/30 — More info coming soon
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12:30 PM - Registration
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Opening ceremony
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Question and answers with Jazz at Linocln Center Orchestra (JLCO)
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Practice and sectionals with JLCO member(s)
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Dinner with all 20 participating bands (students only)
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Gilbert will attend a separate dinner with Wynton Marsalis
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Jam Sessions with JLCO members (students only)
Friday 5/1 — More info coming soon
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Competition Day 🏆
Saturday 5/2 — More info coming soon
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Competition and Finals🏆
Sunday 5/3 — Flight home ✈️
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Alaska Airlines #: AS 0035
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NY-Kennedy, NY (JFK) to San Diego, CA (SAN)
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Date: May 03, 2026
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Departure Time: 9:35 AM
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Arrival Time: 12:48 PM
Tickets for Essentially Ellington Competition (May 1–2)
We do not have information yet on when tickets will go on sale. When they do, they will be available through the Jazz at Lincoln Center website. YLJC is not organizing tickets for families or other attendees. Please check this link frequently for both ticket updates and the full event livestream:
[https://jazz.org/education/school-programs/essentially-ellington]
Performance Schedule
The specific day and time for the JJO performance has not yet been determined. The performance order is typically decided via a random drawing closer to the event. Once the schedule is finalized, we will share the details with everyone immediately.
QUESITIONS?
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Please email info@yljc.org
