Wellington Jazz Academy

Thirty-two Wellington students returned from the nationals in Niagara Falls with nine gold awards, competing alongside 9,500 student musicians from across the country.

MusicFest Canada gold medals were awarded to the Wellington Senior Jazz Band; the Wellington Grade 12 Jazz Combo; the Skates/Bernabe/Watson/Mitchell Combo; the Grade 11 Combo; the Catton-Cox Quartet; the Grade 11 Armour/Luvisotto Baird Combo; Slide by Slide; the Tomkins/Luvisotto Baird Duo; and the Grade 10 Jazz Combo.

Congratulations to our talented student-musicians!

Congrats to our Sr Jazz Band and Eight Jazz combos who returned from MusicFest Canada The Nationals in Niagara Falls with nine gold awards.

Special congratulations to trombonist Sophia Luvisotto Baird, who was selected from hundreds of applicants across Canada as one of 18 musicians chosen to perform in the Conn-Selmer Centerstage Jazz Band honour ensemble.

Nine Wellington students also received individual honour awards for their performances: vocalist Samantha Skates, tenor saxophonist Dukane Podritske, drummer Anton Watson, alto saxophonist Cameron Catton-Cox, baritone saxophonist Emmalee Armour, trumpeter Jack Keltie, pianist Ivy Holmberg, trombonist Sophia Luvisotto Baird, and drummer Norah Dang.

🌼Join us as we showcase our amazing musicians one last time this year! 🌼

Spring concerts take place at Wellington Secondary, in the MPR at 7:00pm, May 26 (Senior Bands) and June 1 (Junior Bands). Admission is by donation, which supports the Lou Arnone Scholarship fund.

Catch us live for the next three days! https://musicfest.ca/livestreams/

Celebrating with our Grade 8 Flute player Luz Balladares who was selected as part of Soho Sound Canadian Junior Band - Congrats Luz!

Join us tonight! Combos play at 7:00 at St. Andrews Presbyterian.

Our combos are headed into West Coast Jazz Festival and Music Fest over the next few weeks! Join us on April 13 for a special performance of the gr. 8-12 jazz combos at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at 7:00. Admission is by donation. See you there!

Our combos are headed into West Coast Jazz Festival and Music Fest over the next few weeks! Join us on April 13 for a special performance of the gr. 8-12 jazz combos at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at 7:00. Admission is by donation. See you there!

Are we excited about playing this evening or what? When you support the Friends of Nanaimo Jazz Society, music students across Nanaimo benefit, too!

🚨Jazz Affair 2026 - Tickets on Sale APRIL 10🚨

We are thrilled to be celebrating our 20th anniversary with Christine and Ingrid Jensen on June 5 at Jazz Affair 2026. Joining them are Phil Dwyer, John Lee, and Ben Dwyer, with an opening set by the Wellington Jazz Academy - it's going to be an amazing show!

Join us? All proceeds from this event benefit jazz music education in Nanaimo. We are grateful to the City of Nanaimo for their continued support in bringing these artists back to Nanaimo! General admission tickets go on sale April 10 at friendsofnanaimojazzsociety.org.

Are you a subscriber? Check your inbox for earlybird access until April 9! Go to our website to subscribe!

Want to win 2 tickets? Like and share our post and tag a friend before April 9!

If you or your business would like to sponsor this event, please send us a message!

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🌸🌼🌷Spring Basket Fundraiser is on now! Check your email for ordering information. Orders are due by April 24. 🌸🌼🌷

Earlier this year, Wellington Jazz Academy was the recipient of a $5000 Canada Post Community Foundation Grant, which was used to purchase a new drum kit, electric piano, and microphone and amp. We appreciate the Canada Post Community Foundation's support of youth music programs in Nanaimo!