Overview

Grooves is an open invitation. No audition required—just curiosity and a willingness to try. Led by celebrated Vermont educator David Kerr, players develop improvisation tools, experiment with style, and discover how to listen, respond, and lead within an ensemble. It’s a vibrant, low-pressure space designed for growth, confidence, and joy.

  • Conductors: David Kerr and Graham Lambert
  • Combo Instructor: Ben King
  • Ensemble Manager: Juliette Chant

Schedule

Rehearsals (2026-2027)

  • Mondays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Elley-Long Music Center

Concerts

Grooves performs at least two concerts each year, in the fall and the spring. Additional performing opportunities may be scheduled based on availability.

Attendance Policy

The VYOA believes that full participation by all members of each ensemble leads to greater success and better camaraderie! Musicians are allowed two rehearsal absences per concert cycle for illness or an unavoidable schedule conflict. If musicians must miss more than two rehearsals, they will be asked to meet with the conductor as a check-in to make sure they are progressing sufficiently.

Skill Expectations

Students should be able to play in keys with up to 2 sharps or 2 flats, and be comfortable reading rhythms that include sixteenth, eighth, quarter, half, and whole notes and their equivalent rests, including dotted rhythms. No audition is required for participation, simply register below.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Fall 2026 Grooves Tuition: $300

Annual tuition fees for participation in the VYOA vary. Please note that tuition is non-refundable after the first rehearsal.

Financial Aid

The VYOA is committed to ensuring that no child is discouraged from participating due to financial circumstances. Need-based financial aid is available to all qualifying families demonstrating an adjusted gross income up to $120,000. You can find the 2025-2026 online financial aid application here. Financial aid applications should be submitted by June 27, 2025.

Apply

Register for Grooves

  • Registration deadline: September 6, 2026
  • All programs have a non-refundable registration fee of $50, included in tuition.

Questions

Contact Mark Alpízar with any questions about registration.

Grooves is a wonderful program for students looking to develop their improvisation and jazz skills. Students build their improvisation skills by performing in both combos and big band settings. They grow as musicians and individuals by deepening their understanding and comfort of playing different styles of music.

– David Kerr, Conductor