Central Pennsylvania Jazz Camp
June 10 - 13, 2026
Messiah University (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Cyrus Chestnut, Guest Artist & Faculty
All student musicians, no matter how experienced, can express themselves through jazz improvisation. That's why our camp focuses on small group instruction, with student safety as our top priority.
Students spend four days immersed in jazz, experiencing the music in a variety of ways:
- Students play in small combos with peers of similar ability. This way, our faculty can meet students where they are and bring out the best in everyone!
- You'll listen to jazz with our faculty and learn to describe the unique styles of jazz greats.
- Students of all skill levels will work on creating music of their own in composition/arranging and theory classes.
Tuition & Registration
Students ages 12 through 18 may register.
We accept students on any instrument and with any level of familiarity with jazz!
TUITION: Residential Students: $600, Commuter Students: $525
REGISTRATION!
Have questions? Please check these FAQ or send us an email.
2026 Guest Artist: Cyrus Chestnut
Cyrus Chestnut is one of the most gifted and innovative jazz pianists of his generation. With a musical style that effortlessly combines the influences of gospel, classical music, and straight-ahead jazz, Chestnut has garnered acclaim from critics and peers alike for his soulful, virtuosic playing. His career spans decades of performances and recordings, establishing him as a pivotal figure in contemporary jazz.
Raised in the heart of Baltimore in a musical family, Chestnut’s gospel roots have been a key influence on his musical development. His father, a pianist, and his mother, a singer, were both deeply involved in the church, where Chestnut first encountered the powerful, emotional connection between music and spirituality. This early exposure to gospel music provided him with a rich, emotive foundation that continues to permeate his jazz performances, infusing them with a soulful, dynamic energy that resonates deeply with audiences.