Jazz is ElemenTREE - Sven and Janet Music

Program created by Janet Tenaj and Sven Anderson, M.M.

Jazz Is ElemenTREE’s theme “The Jazz Forest” demonstrates not only through characters that are Forest Trees, Animals, Plants (as well as, the earth and elements of the universe) an introduction to the world of jazz but to the world/universe at large. This invites the opportunity to teach respect and appreciation of our environment, each other, as well as the diverse scope of jazz.

Jazz Is ElemenTREE has been taught as part of a school curriculum in five different educational settings and has proved to be a beneficial program with links to educational standards of core curriculum (i.e. – Math, Science and Language Arts).

The class is an interactive musical appreciation class for children and adults alike.

The course has been set up so that a teacher with no prior musical knowledge will be able to teach the class following teacher training through Workshops (for 2 – 3 days or residency for one week).

Using the metaphor of “The Jazz Forest” we can “plant the seeds’ for the education and preservation of jazz and the environment.

Having devoted my entire life to the promotion and preservation of jazz through education and performance, it is inspiring to find Janet Tenaj and Sven Anderson’s innovative early childhood program, Jazz Is ElemenTREE.

I cannot state how important I think this program is. Jazz organizations often bemoan the lack of jazz programs for young students and this fills the bill beautifully. Students create their own music while learning the history of it. I love the way the course is sequenced and have heard wonderful accounts of it’s success from jazz artists who have participated in it as demonstrators.

I had the opportunity to work with Janet and Sven while directing the Jazz Program at School For the Performing Arts, Ann Arbor. Instead of innundating children with theory too difficult to apply, they have created a natural introduction to jazz by using engaging metaphors and interactive role playing. Children as young as four connect with the music on day one!

As President of PKO Records, Leader/Music Director of the Paul Keller Orchestra and the Paul Keller Ensemble, world touring musician and father, I understand the need to educate young children about the field of jazz. Essential jazz concepts are introduced in a comprehensible and entertaining way. I highly recommend Jazz Is ElemenTREE for any educational system.

have played and recorded professionally with top artists in the industry and at major jazz festivals world wide. I taught percussion at School of Performing Arts when JIE was first introduced. I found the concepts to be highly original. Its effectiveness as an educational vehicle leads me to say this belongs in any or all educational systems.

Janet and Sven are highly accomplished musicians who have done the difficult task of creating an educational jazz program for ages 4-9. JIE encompasses the fundamentals of jazz while teaching a sophisticated level of discipline in a most creative way. I am confident in saying all children deserve to experience Jazz Is ElemenTREE.

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