Jazz Program
To safely provide summer residential music programs in 2021, we are planning to open our campus with a reduced enrollment and will be postponing large ensembles (ex. choir and orchestra) until 2022. We will follow the most current CDC, State and County guidelines and recommendations for camp opening and safety.
Please see the tab below for policies concerning refunds, insurance, and other COVID-19 related issues.
As a student in the Jazz Program, you can expect:
- Individualized private lessons
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Combos and big bands
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Listening and analysis classes
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Sectionals
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Jazz theory and improvisation classes
MORE INFORMATION
Fees, Faculty and Schedules
TUITION:
$1,250 (includes lodging and meals)
APPLICATION FEE:
$85
UPGRADES & ADD ONS:
Piano usage fee for piano majors is $40.
Optional secondary instrument lesson fee (one lesson for 45 minutes) is $75.
Bedding (optional) is $75.
All students who complete an application will be considered for merit scholarships. If you would like more information about our scholarships, please visit our Scholarships page.

Grant Larson
JAS & JMP Faculty, JAZZ Program Director
Instruments: Saxophone Education: D.M.A., M.M., CU BoulderAn active recitalist and proponent of new music, saxophonist Grant Larson has premiered works for saxophone by Paul, Hanson, Philip Wharton, Chiayu Hsu, Steven Makala, and John Drumheller at regional and national conventions. He is the soprano saxophonist with the Colorado-based Chautauqua Saxophone Quartet and has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Fargo/Moorhead Symphony Orchestra. Grant currently serves as the Saxophone Practicing Artist at Denver School of the Arts, is the wind ensemble conductor for the Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestras, and serves on the faculty at Rocky Ridge Music Center.
Equally comfortable in both classical and jazz settings, Grant has performed on stage with notable artists such as Maria Schneider, Kurt Elling, Mulgrew Miller, Art Lande, Brad Goode, Johannes Weidenmueller, Peter Erskin, Ray Charles, Ignacio Berroa, and “Slammin” Sammy K. He recently produced a collaborative album (Ascent) of original jazz compositions with fellow musicians Greg Tanner Harris, Matt Fuller, Braun Khan, and Dave Hammond. He also has released two jazz albums of original compositions under the Dazzle Recordings label (Denver, CO). Grant holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder; a Master of Music from the University of Colorado; and a Bachelor of Music from Concordia College. Previously, he served on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Concordia College, and the Boulder Arts Academy.

Matt Fuller
JAZZ Faculty
Instruments: Guitar Education: M.M., CU BoulderGuitarist Matt Fuller is an active performer and educator, he teaches jazz guitar at Denver Metro State University. Matt recently relocated back to his home state of Colorado after living in NYC as a freelancing musician and teacher from 2012-2015. His debut album as a leader Waiting for Violet was released in May 2014 and features celebrated trumpeter Ron Miles. Some notable musicians he has performed with include Idina Menzel, Marvin Hamlisch and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Amir ElSaffar, Cuong Vu, Bill Ware, Scott Amendola and New West Guitar Group. Originally from Colorado, Matt holds a Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado. Prior to teaching at Denver MSU he taught jazz guitar at University of Northern Colorado from 2005-2011. Matt studied jazz guitar and music theory for eleven years with his mentor Dale Bruning (Bill Frisell’s original teacher). After running his own private lessons studios in Denver and Brooklyn, Matt draws on twenty years teaching experience when working with children and adults. He finds great joy in helping each student develop their skills and find their own direction in music.

Greg Harris
JAZZ Faculty
Instruments: Piano, Vibraphone Education: M.M., CU Boulder; B.A., Fort Lewis CollegeMulti-Instrumentalist Greg Tanner Harris leads the “Greg Harris Vibe Quintet,” and is a member of Bluegrass legend Pete Wernick’s Flexigrass, hip-hop/jazz/soul group Future Jazz Project, New World Citizen Band, 9th & Lincoln Orchestra, and SuperCollider. Among his work as a studio musician, he has released 5 albums- Greg Harris Vibe Quintet “Glass Gold,” “Open Space,” “Frames Live,” Prospector “Memory of Pilots” featuring trumpeter Ron Miles, and “World Citizen” with West African master xylophonist Aaron Bebe Sukura. The Greg Harris Vibe Quintet’s new album ‘Glass Gold’ was recently released on Dazzle Records.
Greg has a great interest in the West African Xylophone called the Gyil (pronounced JEE-lee), the national instrument of the Lobi and Dagara people of Ghana, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. He has performed with Baaba Maal, Aaron Bebe Sukura, SK Kakraba, as the musical director for Prudence Mabhena from Zimbabwe, and also does regular fundraising performances for the Whole Planet Foundation. He also plays an assortment of Frame Drums from around the world, exploring the Bodhran of Ireland and the Doyra of Uzbekistan.
He received an D.M.A. in Jazz Studies and an M.M. in Music Performance, Percussion at the University of Colorado, Boulder and a Music Education and Music Performance Bachelor of Arts degree from Fort Lewis College. Greg is a private instructor, high school teacher, and freelance musician in the Denver/Boulder area and has performed nationally and internationally. Greg teaches Ethnomusicology, music theory, at Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts, is a board member of the non-profit Gift of Jazz, and as a Practicing Artist at the Denver School of the Arts.

Dave Hammond
JAZZ Faculty
Instruments: Drums Education: M.M., University of Denver; B.M., Berklee College of MusicDave Hammond performed professionally in Boston, South America and Denver before becoming one of the founding music instructors at the Denver School of the Arts (DSA). Under the direction of Mr. Hammond DSA bands have performed at 13 of the last 16 Colorado Music Educators Association conferences, performed 14 times at the CBA State Concert Band Finals, won many awards and accolades including Downbeat Magazine Student Awards: Best Chamber Group, Best Classical Symphonic Band, Best Big Band and Best Studio Orchestra. The Denver School of the Arts Jazz Workshop Orchestra is one of the top high school big bands nationwide selected to compete at the Swing Central Jazz Festival in Savannah, GA (2015, 2014 and 2013), Wynton Marsalis’ Essentially Ellington High School Competition and Festival in New York (2004, 1998). Hammond received his Master of Music degree from the University of Denver and his Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music.

Braun Khan
JAZZ Faculty
Instruments: Double Bass, Electric Bass Education: M.M., Central Michigan UniversityBraun Khan is from Mount Pleasant Michigan and began playing the acoustic guitar and the electric bass in high school. He quickly developed a love for music and began performing extensively in church groups and local bands. His experiences ranged from pop/rock to gospel to funk. A few years after taking up the electric bass his interests expanded to jazz and the upright bass, and he began studying classical and jazz bass performance at Central Michigan University.
After completing a Master of Music degree in double bass performance at Central Michigan University, Braun was hired by the university to teach classes in jazz theory and to oversee their community outreach program. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Arts in Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Colorado and is an active part of the Northern Colorado music scene, gigging frequently in jazz and funk/rock groups as well as with classical ensembles.
Braun has performed with Jeff Hamilton, Chris Potter, John Fedchock, Bill Watrous, Tamir Hendelman, Matt Wilson, Deborah Brown, Gary Smulyan, Bobby Sinabria, Ruben Alvarez, Toby Beau, Jake Shimabukuro, Groove For Thought, Clint de Ganon, Bob Christianson, Clifford Carter, Ron Stout, Dan Miller, Brad Goode, Pete Olstad, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, Adam Larson, Jim White, Steve Kovalcheck, Dana Landry, Peter Sommer, Wil Swindler, Josh Quinlan, Jeff Jenkins, Ben Markley, Mark Sloniker, Chris Smith, Mike Marlier, Ed Breazeale, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and more.
- If you applied and were accepted to a program last year, you do not need to reapply for that same program. Please let us know before February 15 about your desire to attend the 2021 program in question. Email us at RRMC@RockyRidge.org or call 303-449-1106.
- In order to secure your placement in the program, a 50% deposit of your tuition is due within 7 days of receiving your acceptance letter. Your final deposit is due a month before the beginning of your program.
- Any tuition paid is nonrefundable.
- If the camps are mandated to close by the CDC, state, or local authorities, you will receive a full tuition refund if the program has not yet started. If the camp is mandated to close during a program, your tuition refund will be prorated.*
- The camp will follow all applicable public health orders and federal, state, and local guidance regarding mitigating the spread of COVID-19, which may include indoor and outdoor occupancy limits, rapid COVID-19 tests, daily symptom and temperature checks, social distancing protocols, face covering requirements, and other protocols.
- The camp may require each camper to submit a current, signed health history that includes information in relation to the activities in which a camper may participate. This health history will include a description of any camp activities from which the camper should be exempted for health reasons; a record of past medical treatment, if any; a record of allergies and/or dietary restrictions; a statement from the custodial parent/guardian attesting that all immunizations required for school are up to date and including the actual date of last tetanus shot; a record of current medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter; and a description of any current physical, mental, or psychological conditions requiring medication, treatment, or special restrictions or considerations while at camp. The camp also recommends that all campers be vaccinated against COVID-19, provided that they are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine according to guidelines issued by the CDC and the applicable state or local public health agency.
- As a safeguard during this uncertain time, Rocky Ridge recommends that you purchase a third party tuition/travel insurance plan which will protect your investment should you choose to cancel ahead of time or are unable to complete the camp. We have partnered with TravMark, which comes highly recommended by AM Skier, Rocky Ridge’s insurance provider. Please see this page for more information on how to sign up for insurance. Regardless of which insurance company you choose, please take note that often the best time to purchase this type of insurance is when you make your initial deposit.
- We will be updating this policy list regularly. Please continue to visit this list for the most recent policy updates and COVID-19 safety protocols that will be required prior to and during the camps.
- *Except for the application fee of $85, which is nonrefundable.
Coming Soon!
- April 1, 2021 (Deadline to be considered for merit scholarships)
- May 1, 2021 (Regular deadline)
- After May 1, 2021 (Application accepted on space available basis)