STUDENTS & ALUMS: The main educational program of the VJC (grades 8-12) resumes with auditions in November and rehearsals beginning in December. As for the Alumni Band? Its next performance is the VJC Alumni Band+ Christmas Concert on 12/19/2026.
We are proud to announce the appointment of Mr. John Dawson as the new Director of the Valley Jazz Cooperative! Please know the application window for the VJC's main educational program (for area music students, grades 8-12) is NOW OPEN. We encourage you to apply!
EDUCATORS: Check out the Flexible Instrumentation Big Band charts from VJC Publications. And listen to this great new music on our YouTube channel. VJC Publications offers flex. charts without compromise, designed to sound great—and complete—with just the minimum instrumentation (11 pieces). And of course, they sound truly spectacular with a full, 18-piece big band. Given the unpredictable nature of band program size from year to year, VJC Publications represents a great investment for any music library. And 100% of every VJC Publication purchase goes back into supporting the educational activities of the Valley Jazz Cooperative.
John Dawson
Director of Music at Ravenscroft
Director of the Valley Jazz Cooperative at Ravenscroft
Paul Brewer
Director of Jazz Studies at Mesa Community College
Director of the Sapphire Ensemble (VJC @ MCC)
FACULTY
John Dawson
Director, Valley Jazz Cooperative
An accomplished U.S. Air Force music leader who has performed, taught, and led ensembles around the world is bringing his experience to Arizona's next generation of young musicians. Music Serving the Word announced today that John Dawson has been named Director of Music and will lead the Valley Jazz Cooperative, a tuition-free jazz education program for talented middle and high school students.
A Washington D.C. native and Arizona State University graduate, Dawson joins the organization after a distinguished 20-year military career, which included directing the Falconaires at the U.S. Air Force Academy Band and the Ambassadors at the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band. He has led performances for millions of audience members while receiving numerous awards for his leadership, music arranging, and community service.
"John combines extraordinary musical excellence with a genuine heart for developing young people," said Kevin Youngblood, CEO of Music Serving the Word. "His passion for jazz education, proven leadership, and commitment to cultivating character alongside artistic excellence make him an outstanding fit to lead Valley Jazz Cooperative into its next chapter."
Throughout his career, Dawson has taught masterclasses and clinics across the United States and Europe, mentored student musicians in jazz improvisation and ensemble performance, and led innovative outreach initiatives that expanded access to music education for hundreds of students. His leadership has consistently focused on using music to build community while inspiring excellence and personal growth.
"Students who learn jazz can learn anything," Dawson shared. "The intense listening and value placed on other people's ideas make them empathetic and flexible, and improvising as a team prepares them to be expert problem solvers and collaborators. I am honored to join Music Serving the Word to invest in the success of these students, helping them find not just their artistic voice, but their true purpose."
As Director of Music, Dawson will oversee artistic programming and educational partnerships for Music Serving the Word's youth initiatives, which include the Valley Jazz Cooperative and the Valley Gospel Project. The programs are hosted at Ravenscroft, Scottsdale's premier jazz performance venue and a distinctive cultural destination dedicated to enriching lives through exceptional live music and education.
Paul Brewer
VJC Sapphire Director, Valley Jazz Cooperative
Paul Brewer, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, loves performing jazz, rock, soul, funk, Latin, and classical music styles. As a saxophonist, he has had the opportunity to perform with such artists as the Temptations, the Four Tops, Doc Severinsen, Diana Ross, the Phoenix Symphony, Michael Bublé, David Foster, Frankie Valli, and Renee Olstead. Paul has also worked as an Artist-in-Residence for the Peoria and Roosevelt School Districts and served on the board of the Arizona Association for Jazz Education.
He earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Northern Arizona University, and later earned his Master’s degree in Music Education with emphasis in Jazz Studies from Arizona State University. As an educator himself, Paul has taught music at Barry Goldwater, Paradise Valley, and Marcos de Niza High Schools as well as Scottsdale Community College. Currently, Paul is the Director of Jazz Studies at Mesa Community College. In December 2018, he joined the Valley Jazz Cooperative team as the Director of the VJC Sapphire Ensemble.
Guest Clinicians
Whether during rehearsals, festival appearances, or through online instruction, the Valley Jazz Cooperative experience is always greatly enhanced through collaboration with musicians from all across the country. The list of outstanding artist-teachers supporting VJC educational activities through clinics and lessons has included:
Saxophonists Patrick Langham (University of the Pacific)
Sal Lozano (https://www.sallozano.com/)
Dr. Robert Miller (University of Idaho, Emeritus)
Mary Petrich (https://www.marypetrich.com/)
Jordan Pettay (Borough of Manhattan Community College)
Lucas Pino (https://www.lucaspino.com/)
Dave Schmidt (Glendale Community College, Emeritus)
Alexa Tarentino (https://alexatarantino.com/)
Brice Winston (Tucson Jazz Institute)
John Wojciechowski (http://www.jwojojazz.com/)
Wen Wu (https://www.instagram.com/wenwenwendawu/)
Trumpeters Tito Carrillo (Texas State University)
Kris Johnson (University of Michigan)
Peter Margulies (Utah Symphony)
Denny Monce (Arizona State University)
Alex Parker (Baylor University)
Jack Schantz (University of Akron, Emeritus)
Dr. Vern Sielert (University of Idaho)
Trombonists Paul Ferguson (Case Western Reserve University)
Nick Finzer (University of North Texas)
Pianist Dr. Robert Washut (University of Northern Iowa, Emeritus)
Russell Schmidt (VJC Founder, MSW-Education Founder)
Guitarist Chris Buzzelli (Bowling Green State University, Emeritus)
Bassists Katie Ernst (https://www.katieernst.com/)
Chris Finet (Northern Arizona University)
Dwight Kilian (former MSW Director of Music)
Mike King (Mesa Community College)
Alicia Wrigley (https://www.instagram.com/aliciawrigleymusic/)
Drummers Robby Carrillo (Arizona State University)
Rob Moore (former MSW Director of Music)
Percussionist Drew Worden (University of Texas at Austin)
Vocalist Vicki McDermitt (https://www.vickimcdermitt.com/)
Ensemble Director Carlos Aguero (Bogle Junior High School)