The Vancouver Youth Jazz Orchestra (VYJO) is an exciting new version of the High School Jazz Intensive. This program is a unique music residency for high school students in Grades 8 – 12 from Metro Vancouver co-presented by Coastal Jazz, the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra and Vancouver Community College.
Up to 21 talented teens are selected from an audition process open to students in Grades 8-12 from over 150 schools across the Lower Mainland. Successful participants will have the opportunity to cultivate their talents and networks through mentorship by a professional band director and members of the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra over five weeks of rehearsals in May-June. The intensive culminates with a live performance at Performance Works during the 2025 Vancouver International Jazz Festival (date TBD) .
Check back in early 2026 for information on the application process or follow us on social media @coastaljazz.ca.
2025 VYJO Mentors
Our collaboration with the VJO includes trumpet mentor Geeta Das, VJO artistic director James Danderfer, trombone mentor Nebyu Yohannes, sax mentor Ingrid Stitt, and rhythm section mentor Bernie Arai.
The bandleader for 2025 will be Geeta Das. Geeta Das is a highly skilled professional musician that has been performing and teaching music in Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as around the world, for over twenty-five years. She studied music at Douglas College, the University of British Columbia, and she has also studied privately in the eastern United States. She is well versed in a variety of musical styles, everything from Classical and Jazz, to Latin, Funk, R&B, Soul, Pop, Rock, Reggae, and more. Geeta has had the honour of performing with such world renowned artists as: UK singer/songwriter Adele, rapper Kanye West, UK pop/rock sensation The Heavy, historic big band The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Iranian/Persian pop star Mazyar Fallahi, and many more. Geeta has a great deal of knowledge and passion for music that she hopes to continue sharing with the community.
