Creating the next generation of musicians

The Newport Festivals Music Labs offer students a rare opportunity to work directly with festival artists throughout the school year to learn what it takes to be a musician in today’s ever-evolving music industry. Students learn the basics of music theory, form their own bands, and write their own songs. Each Lab culminates with the students performing live on stage at the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals.

This program is made possible thanks to the generous support from 11th Hour Racing’s grant program.

Jazz Lab

Fall 2025 – Summer 2026

The Newport Festivals Jazz Lab is an immersive experience that aims to create and hone the next generation of jazz musicians. The Jazz Lab meets every Saturday for an hour and a half where students work with instructors on jazz harmony and rhythm, ear training, jazz repertoire, improvisation, artistic creativity and jazz history. The program fosters the importance of community and mentorship by hosting top-tier jazz musicians as guest teaching artists throughout the year, giving students public performance opportunities and providing field trips to listen to professional jazz musicians/ bands perform live. The culmination of the year concludes with the students performing at the iconic Newport Jazz Festival in the summer.

Auditions will take place October 11th, 2025 at the Rhode Island Philharmonic.

Music Lab in the News:

Music Lab Instructors

Chris Vaillancourt

Chris is one of the most in-demand guitar players and educators in Rhode Island. He performs regularly with North End Entertainment, the Soul City Band and the Dope Things.