The Jazz Hands Musicians Academy is helping more adults on the autism find community based volunteer and paid work opportunities by building on their musical talents, providing social, professional, technical and musical skills training
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CREATING PATHWAYS FOR MUSICIANS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM TO EXPAND, SHARE AND BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR MUSICAL TALENT

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The Jazz Hands Musicians Academy is a three stage program that provides person-centered training that helps the aspiring musician improve their social, professional, technical, and musical skills. 

STAGE 1:
Foundations and Exploration - Job Development, Career Exploration, Work-Readiness Training, On-stage & Music Technique Training

STAGE 2:
Internship & Specialization

STAGE 3:
Job Placement & On-The-Job Coaching


CURRICULUM

As unique as each student us: unique interests, skills, goals and abilities – is as unique as our curriculum is. Individualized training.. This means that the course menu of each students differs from the next.

Through our intake process, we discover the strengths and needs of each student. We then recommend a menu of both 1:1 and group classes and sessions depending on the needs and level of the student. Check out our COURSE CATALOGUE for more information about the type of classes we offer.


ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for admission into the Jazz Hands Musicians Academy, you would have to meet our eligibility criteria:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorders diagnoses
  • Age 18 and older
  • 2 years background/ training in preferred instrument
  • Ability to communicate 
  • ambulatory 
"Confidence is knowing you have something
of value to give to others."
"Community thrives when giving becomes reciprocal."
OUR METHOD
The Jazz Hands Musician’s Academy is designed to increase employment success rates for Musicians on the autism spectrum. We help improve the on-stage performance, social ability and employability of our students. 
WE TEACH JOB READINESS SKILLS

Through our Work-Readiness curriculum, students learn skills necessary to learn and keep a job. The skills we teach include: writing and sending professional emails, constructing your portfolio/resume, appropriate attire, transportation training, leadership, conflict resolution, networking, setting goals, planning, planning and self-management, effective communication and teamwork
OUR STUDENTS LEARN THROUGH EXPERIENCE

Our ABA-based curriculum includes experiential courses that give students an opportunity to put the skills they are learning into practice in real-life situations (like studios record labels & band rehearsals). Our experiential courses include work-readiness training, social learning training and group jam sessions. Through our experiential curriculum, students make gains in their executive functioning
WE CREATE "SMALL WINS" IN EVERY SESSION

Research shows that the more frequently people experience a sense of progress, the more likely they are to be productive in the long-run.Small wins result in big gains by instilling a sense of confidence which increases the retention and transferability of skills learned.
At The Jazz Hands Musician's Academy, we employ this philosophy in our approach to ensure that our students are developing life-long skills that are necessary for them to become contributing members of society.
WE BUILD ON STRENGTHS AND INTERESTS OF STUDENTS

The Jazz Hands Musician's Academy embraces person -centered learning. Through the individual work plans(IWP), students of the Jazz Hands Musician's Academy receive services, interventions and job placement tailored to their strengths, interests and career goals.
WE PLACE GRADUATES IN FULFILLING WORK

We guarantee year-long residencies to all graduates of our program. These residencies are made available through our venue partners which include but are not limited to Sound Stages, Coffee Shops, Lounges, Retirement Homes, Music Libraries, Studios, Orchestras.
We also provide one-time gigs year-round to graduates of the Jazz Hands Musician's Academy.

COURSE CATALOG

What Can You Learn At Jazz Hands For Autism ?
  • INSTRUMENT
    • Guitar
    • Bass
    • Drums and Percussion
    • Piano
    • Voice
    • Accompaniment
    • Music Theory
    • Song Writing
  • PERFORMANCE
    • Audience Engagement
    • Repertoire Building
    • Stage Movement
    • Mic Technique
    • Group Performance
    • Stage Communication
  • SOFTWARE

    DAW’s

    • Pro Tools
    • FL Studio
    • Siblelius
    • Logic Pro
    • Audacity
    • Serato

    Social Media

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Youtube

    Editing

    • Premier
    • Photoshop
  • STAGE TECH
    • Stage Lighting
    • Sound Set Up
    • Sound Arrangement
    • Mixers
  • BRANDING
    • Digital Branding
    • Demo Production
    • Electronic Press Kit
  • CAREER DEVELOPMENT
    • Career Counseling
    • Plan Development
    • School Assistance
    • Career Management
    • Leadership
    • Self-Advocacy
    • Teacher Training
    • Public Speaking
  • PROMOTION
    • Gig Scouting
    •  Placement Search
    •  Music Library Placement
    •  Event Production
    •  Internships
    •  Industry Events

$8000+

EARNED BY JHMA STUDENTS

125+

STUDENTS SERVED

500

HOURS OF TRAINING

140

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

100 + Community Work Opportunities

  • $50/hour minimum pay
  • 65% paid gigs
  • 2 Long term residencies 
  • 3 Internships 

Meet some of the students of Jazz Hands Musicians Academy

And hear what some of them have to say about their program
"I wanted to tell you that i have never been happier in my life now that i am at Jazz Hands. I am so grateful for your program"
SHAYNE
"Without Jazz Hands For Autism i may have never had this opportunity. It is hard to find young adults on the spectrum who are willing to perform"
AARON
"I love Jazz Hands For Autism for their unwavering love and support in helping us achieve our dream, goals and careers as amazing musicians."
KSUSHA
"I love Jazz Hands For Autism for lifting everyone up when they are feeling down about themselves and their music."
BRANDI

FAQs

Got a question? We’re here to help.
  • How old to I have to be to participate?

    The Jazz Hands Musician’s Academy provides training to adults (age 18 and older) of the Autism Spectrum

  • How much does it cost?

    The Jazz Hands Musicians Academy is a tuition-based program and we provide a monthly invoice that details the number of hours and the type of classes you take each quarter at JHMA. If you are a consumer fo the Regional Center, please contact you service coordinator for more information about funding.

  • Information About Funding

    Regional Center funding available

  • Are there scholarships available?

    Yes! We offer partial scholarships depending on the financial need of the student

  • How long is the program?

    The Jazz Hands Musician’s Academy is a 3 phase program that provides individualized training and resources. The completion time depends on the commitment and progress of the each student, however, the approximate minimum duration to complete the program is 3 years.


    PHASE 1 (Minimum of 8 Mos): Job Development, Career Exploration, Work-Readiness Training, On-stage & Music Technique Training


    PHASE 2 (Minimum of 1 year): Internship & Specialization


    PHASE 3 (Minimum of 1 year): Job Placement & On-The-Job Coaching


    The Jazz Hands Musicians Academy academic year is divided into FOUR quarters.

  • Is it Monday through Friday?

    The Jazz Hands Musician’s Academy offers up to 19 hours a week of training from Monday – Saturday. Because training is individualized, the schedule of each student may vary.

  • Do you pay for transportation?

    Unfortunately, we do not, however, we do provide transportation training!

  • Do you teach music?

    At the Jazz Hands Musicians Academy, we expect each prospective student to already have 1-2 years background in their instrument. From there we can help you improve on your instrument whether it is voice, guitar, piano, drums, etc. So the short answer is yes, we provide instrument training and music theory, but only to students who already have some background in their instrument. 


    Please check out our Music Teacher Training Program for more information about music lessons for beginners

  • Do you only work with individuals on the autism spectrum?

    At Jazz Hands For Autism, we recognize that sometimes a person may have multiple diagnoses. While musician who on the autism spectrum are our primary focus, we do also sometimes work with aspiring musicians who have other Intellectual/ Developmental Disabilities. Please email us to schedule an intake session in order to determine if we can be a resource you or your loved one.

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