Audition for the 2026 JAZZ All Stars Youth Ensemble
Saturday, January 24, 2026 @ Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
Sunday, January 25, 2026 @ Thaden School, Bentonville
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Sign Up Deadline: January 22nd
ELEVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF JAZZ
2026 MARKS THE 10th SEASON OF THE JAZZ ALL STARS YOUTH ENSEMBLE.
This exciting jazz education experience offers local high school students a unique opportunity to join a musical community of passionate young musicians at a pivotal point in their personal development.
Students are selected by audition and have an opportunity to apply techniques they learn in rehearsals to concert performances and professional recordings. As part of the program, they:
Receive one-on-one training from professional jazz musicians
Have their performance professionally recorded.
Perform with the All-Stars in concert at Walton Arts Center and other venues in our region.
Special Guest artists rehearse and perform in concert with the All-Stars. Recent artists have included Steve Wilson, Aubrey Logan, Victor Goines, Conrad Herwig, and Bobby Watson.
AUDITION INFO
If you or a student you know is interested in joining the 2026 All Stars, please read the information and then fill out the audition interest form by January 22nd.
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Students must be in grades 9-12 and reside within the Northwest Arkansas region. Need at least two years of experience on the instrument or comparable proficiency (exceptions may be made based on skills and experience).
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Saxophones (alto, tenor, baritone), trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass, drums
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Auditions for the 2026 season will be:
January 24, 2026 @ Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
January 25, 2026 @ Thaden School, Bentonville -
Sundays from February through April.
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A professional recording will be made of the ensemble's concert performance at Walton Arts Center. Additional performance opportunities may be possible.
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Please fill out the audition Interest form.
You may also contact Graham Stewart, Executive Director of the NWA Jazz Society, graham@digjazz.com
SUPPORT OUR PROGRAM WITH A DONATION
You can also donate through Venmo: @NWAJazzSociety
NWA YOUTH JAZZ ENSEMBLE INSTRUCTORS
ADAM LARSON
Adam (b. 1990) is an American saxophonist, composer and author. Adam began playing saxophone at the age of 11. Described by critic Howard Reich of The Chicago-Tribune as “a player for whom the word ‘prodigious’ was coined”, Larson has garnered numerous awards that distinguish him as one of the most promising artists of his generation. Adam earned his BM and MM in Jazz Performance on full-scholarship from The Manhattan School of Music, finishing his studies in 2014. Larson keeps an active schedule with his own groups and as a sideman, having performed at venues across the U.S. Beyond maintaining an active touring and recording schedule, Larson continues to be a sought after clinician and masterclass presenter and has been a guest at more than 100 Universities across the world.
RYAN YUMANG
Ryan grew up in NW Arkansas, was a student at Har-Ber High School and immersed in music from an early age. Ryan successfully auditioned when he was in the 8th grade and played lead alto in the NW Arkansas Jazz All Stars for 5 years, working with jazz luminaries like trombonist Conrad Herwig, saxophonist Victor Goines, trumpeter Alphonso Horne, and drummer Sammy Miller. Ryan expressed his praise for the Jazz All Star program on his website, stating, “The essential stepping stone into my career was the Northwest Arkansas Jazz Allstars Youth Ensemble, a branch of the NWA Jazz Society non-profit, where I auditioned in the band as an 8th grader. In that band, I got to learn from and play alongside jazz greats Conrad Herwig, Victor Goines, and Bobby Watson”. At 17, Ryan began teaching music lessons in hopes of spreading his musical values to others. After his high school graduation Ryan was awarded a scholarship to study music at the prestigious University of North Texas, and is currently in the One O’Clock band. Ryan will receive his undergraduate degree this year from UNT.
RICK SALONEN: PROGRAM ADVISOR
Rick is instructor in the Music Department at the University of Arkansas and is director of the university Jazz Orchestra and Combos. He received his doctoral degree in Higher Education and MM degree in composition from the University of Arkansas. He has two kids: Alexandra, 17, a Senior at Farmington HS and Derek, 20, a Junior at the University of Arkansas. He enjoys cooking, music, playing games, golfing, woodworking and biking. He is a prolific jazz composer and arranger of jazz for ensembles at various levels, and is an active performer of classical, jazz and pop with numerous ensembles throughout the region.