VYOA Jazz is an auditioned ensemble featuring our region’s finest young jazz musicians. Led by Kyle Saulnier, musicians explore playing and improvising in different jazz styles while enjoying the camaraderie of meeting and performing with musicians from across the region. Musicians perform in combos and big band settings and work with some of our area’s finest jazz educators.
VYOA Jazz with Jason Moran
June 4th at 2026 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
At My Heart Sings, VYOA Jazz students take the Flynn Main Stage alongside Jason Moran putting Vermont’s next generation of jazz musicians at the center of one of the festival’s signature nights. Guided by Duke Ellington’s great canon, Moran and the VYOA Jazz take a climb up “Mount Ellington” in this extraordinary celebration of the composer’s enduring legacy 125 years after his birth. Experience the timeless genius of Ellington’s music, brilliantly reimagined by Moran.
Auditions for the 2026-27 season take place September 2026.
Audition registration coming soon.
Led by Director, Kyle Saulnier, VYOA Jazz rehearsals are on Saturdays from 10:00am – 1:00pm at the Elley-Long Music Center at Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester, Vt.
Skills Expectations:
Acceptance into VYOA Jazz is by audition. Audition materials for September 2026 will be updated at a later time. You are likely ready for an audition if you:
–Have a strong control of your instrument from top-to-bottom
–Are able to confidently hold your own with written material in an ensemble
–Are able to sight-read reasonably well
–Have a working knowledge of and/or aptitude for basic (key-based, diatonic) music theory
–Have experience playing and improvising in a jazz style
If you are not yet ready for an audition, Grooves is another Jazz program offered by VYOA for musicians grades 5-12 without an audition.
Financial Aid
The VYOA is committed to ensuring that no child is turned away from participating due to financial circumstances. Need-based financial aid is available to all qualifying families with a combined household income up to $120,000 who wish to apply. Your most recent tax documents and a $50 deposit will need to accompany your application. Additional questions can be emailed to mark@vyo.org.
Meet the Faculty
Kyle Saulnier, Director
Matt Avery, Trombone
Caleb Bronz, Drumset & Percussion
Randal Pierce, Piano
Jake Whitesell, Saxophone
Connor Young, Trumpet
