Summer Camps!

Registration begins February 14, 2025! View 2025 summer offerings and information now.

Music Instruction Music Instruction

Award-winning music lessons, ensembles, and group classes for aspiring musicians of all ages and skill levels — children, teens, and adults.

Learn More

Early Childhood Early Childhood

Morning & Full-Day Preschool programs with a full, child-centered curriculum of creative specials like music, science, drama, social and emotional learning, and more!

Learn More

Music Therapy Music Therapy

Established in 1966, our pioneering Center for Music Therapy (CMT) uses guided music experiences to help individuals meet life's challenges.

Learn More

BOP STOP BOP STOP

BOP STOP at The Music Settlement is Cleveland's premier listening room: an intimate, acoustically pristine performance venue with sweeping views of Lake Erie.

Learn More

1. J@MS Program

Ages: 12 - 18
Session Length: 30 Weeks
Skill Level: Intermediate and Up

1-jms-program

Our J@MS Program is a weekly half-day offering focusing on skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve musical goals.

Our J@MS Program is a component of J@MS (Jazz at The Music Settlement). There are three different ways students can participate in J@MS:

  • J@MS Program (9:00 am - 2:00 pm)
  • J@MS Ensemble (9:00 am - 12:10 pm)
  • Junior J@MS (10:00 am - 12:00 pm, for younger students)

The J@MS Program is a weekly half-day program that immerses students in the energy and excitement of Jazz music. Musicians enrolled in the J@MS Program take part in African American music history, theory and composition, small combo, and Big Band. Musicians will explore a range of inspiring and challenging material under the direction of our professional faculty. Students gain valuable performance experience throughout the year at concerts and special events.

Prerequisite: All new students must complete an audition. Click below to submit an audition request form.

AUDITION FORM

Students who have previously participated in this ensemble do not need to complete an audition and are welcome to register at this time. Click the "Enroll" button below to proceed.

If this is your first enrollment of the school year in the Center for Music (September – June), a non-refundable registration fee is due at the time of enrollment ($35 for a single registrant, with a cap of $50 per family).


Join us for our 2025 J@MS Jazz Camp!

Don't miss out on our annual summer version of our popular ensemble.
June 30, 2025 - July 3, 2025
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
$300

Learn More

Register

Session Day Time Campus Fee  
September 28, 2024 - May 17, 2025 Sep 28, 2024 - May 17, 2025 Saturday 9:00am - 2:00pm University Circle $945 Enroll

Faculty

darren-frate

Darren Frate

Instructor, Electric Bass Guitar; Ensemble, J@MS

Darren Frate has been playing bass for more than 35 years, including 15 as a teacher. He specializes in electric bass, music theory, and ensembles. He has toured and played with a variety of national acts, including Herman's Hermits ("I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am"), Dickey Betts from the Allman Brothe... Expand

Darren Frate has been playing bass for more than 35 years, including 15 as a teacher. He specializes in electric bass, music theory, and ensembles. He has toured and played with a variety of national acts, including Herman's Hermits ("I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am"), Dickey Betts from the Allman Brothers ("Ramblin' Man"), Gary Lewis and the Playboys ("This Diamond Ring"), Mitch Ryder ("Devil With a Blue Dress On"), Ian Hunter ("Cleveland Rocks"), Gerald Levert ("Casanova"), and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Darren has also recorded several CDs with his own folk and jazz groups. The latest release by his current group, Velvet Voyage, features legendary jazz guitarist Mike Stern, known for his work with Miles Davis.

Education
Film Scoring, Berklee College of Music Close
glenn-holmes

Glenn Holmes

Instructor, Electric Bass Guitar, Upright Bass; Ensemble, J@MS

Glenn Holmes, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, has performed as a guest soloist both in the classical and jazz idioms. He is a former member of the Wichita Symphony and a published composer. He is also a past member of the Jazz faculty of Wichita State, Friends University and Cleveland State University.... Expand

Glenn Holmes, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, has performed as a guest soloist both in the classical and jazz idioms. He is a former member of the Wichita Symphony and a published composer. He is also a past member of the Jazz faculty of Wichita State, Friends University and Cleveland State University.

Performances have been with Benny Golson, Sean Jones, Doc Cheatum, Earl Warren, Jerry Hahn, Richie Cole, Charlie Rouse, Andy Narell, Keith Copeland, Eddie Daniels, Steve Houghton, Don Braden, Joe Williams, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Watson, Frank Mantooth, Dennis Wilson, Benny Bailey, Ignacio Beroa, Uhron Israel, Robin Eubanks, Vanessa Rubin, Antonio Hart, James Newton, Clark Terry, Nancy Wilson, Javon Jackson, Charlie Haden, Russell Malone, Cindy Blackman-Santana, the Jazz Heritage Orchestra and others.

Currently, Glenn has his own quartet and works as a freelance bassist. He is currently on the faculty of The Music School Settlement (Cleveland, OH).

Education
MM, Theory/Composition, Wichita State University
BM, String Bass & Music Theory, Miami University (Ohio) Close
ken-leegrand

Ken LeeGrand

J@MS Department Head; Instructor, Saxophone, Clarinet; Ensemble Director, J@MS

Ken has performed with Arthur Fiedler, Freda Payne, Jean Carne, Petula Clark, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, The Miracles, Michael McDonald, The Funk Brothers, and Aretha Franklin (to name a few). With his group Horns and Things, Ken has had the privilege of being the opening act for the late Dexte... Expand

Ken has performed with Arthur Fiedler, Freda Payne, Jean Carne, Petula Clark, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, The Miracles, Michael McDonald, The Funk Brothers, and Aretha Franklin (to name a few). With his group Horns and Things, Ken has had the privilege of being the opening act for the late Dexter Gordon, El DeBarge, Freddie Hubbard, Ronnie Laws, Phillip Bailey and Joe Sample.

Ken has also done pit work for numerous plays at The Cleveland Playhouse and in Playhouse Square. LeeGrand has also performed at venues including The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jacobs Field, Gund Arena, and Blossom Music Center. As a traveling musician, Ken has performed extensively throughout The United States and Europe.

For the last 16 years, Ken has been the resident artist for the Grammy Signature School Shaker Heights School District Music Department that has 1000+ students from grade 5 through 12.

Education
BM, Clarinet, University of Akron Close
jim-wall

Jim Wall

Instructor, Drum Set, Percussion, Outreach; Ensemble, J@MS

Jim Wall is a drummer, teacher, recording engineer and music producer. Drawn to the drums from the age of two, music and life became inseparable for him at a very young age. He has performed live since age 7 and has played throughout North America and Europe with numerous artists, including Big Brot... Expand

Jim Wall is a drummer, teacher, recording engineer and music producer. Drawn to the drums from the age of two, music and life became inseparable for him at a very young age. He has performed live since age 7 and has played throughout North America and Europe with numerous artists, including Big Brother and the Holding Company, Grammy award winner; Robert Lockwood, Love Janis: The Musical, Hair, Kristine Jackson, The Jack Fords, Walkin' Cane, and Cuda/Wall/Cuda among others. He owns and runs Blue Buddha Music Studio in Cleveland, Ohio, which has become both Northeast Ohio's state of the art recording studio.

Education
BM, Berklee College of Music Close
max-schlenk

Max Schlenk

Instructor, Saxophone; Ensemble, J@MS

Max Schlenk is a recent graduate of Oberlin Conservatory returning to the Cleveland music scene after spending some time in NYC. He started developing his skills under the tutelage of Ken LeeGrand, Chris Burge, Ron Blake, and Gary Bartz. An alumnus of J@MS (Jazz at The Music Settlement) and The Ber... Expand

Max Schlenk is a recent graduate of Oberlin Conservatory returning to the Cleveland music scene after spending some time in NYC. He started developing his skills under the tutelage of Ken LeeGrand, Chris Burge, Ron Blake, and Gary Bartz.

An alumnus of J@MS (Jazz at The Music Settlement) and The Berklee 5 Week Aspire Program during high school, Max gained the skills and knowledge to excel during college and in the professional world of music. Having regular performances around the greater Cleveland area, he has acquainted himself with a multitude of styles such as Jazz, R&B, and Funk. He has collaborated and performed alongside artists such as Luis Perdomo, Camilla Meza, Dion Parson, and Vladimir Cetkar.

Additional work includes years of teaching experience throughout high school and undergraduate, as well as community service performances and projects. He aims to take his teachings and knowledge to create himself as a class act musician and entertainer.

Education
Oberlin Conservatory Close
joe-slusarski

Joe Slusarski

Instructor, Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele; Ensemble, J@MS

Fifteen years ago, Joe Slusarski began playing guitar and has never looked back. With a wide range of music experience in Jazz, Blues, Pop, Classical, Rock, Folk, Bluegrass and 3 years of teaching experience, Joe is excited to be at The Music Settlement. Currently studying at Cleveland State for a ... Expand

Fifteen years ago, Joe Slusarski began playing guitar and has never looked back. With a wide range of music experience in Jazz, Blues, Pop, Classical, Rock, Folk, Bluegrass and 3 years of teaching experience, Joe is excited to be at The Music Settlement.

Currently studying at Cleveland State for a M.M. Degree in Music Performance with a focus in Jazz studies, Joe has had the opportunity to study with Robert Fraser and Dan Bruce, as well as other locally established musicians. Being active in the music community Joe plays regularly with bands around Cleveland such as Quick Silver, QS Jazz and Hip to That. When the opportunity comes along, he also enjoys playing in pit orchestras for musicals.

Joe tries to give his students an enjoyable experience while teaching the joy and knowledge of music. He meets his students wants and needs for each lesson to teach them the best he can. In addition to the guitar, Joe can also teach electric bass guitar and ukulele.

Education
B.A. Music Performance, Cleveland State University Close
drew-parent

Drew Parent

Department Head, Percussion; Ensemble, J@MS

Drew Parent is a percussionist and multi-instrumentalist based in Cleveland, OH. Prior to working at the Music Settlement, Drew held music faculty positions at Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo, Owens Community College, Trine University, and most recently Tiffin University where h... Expand

Drew Parent is a percussionist and multi-instrumentalist based in Cleveland, OH. Prior to working at the Music Settlement, Drew held music faculty positions at Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo, Owens Community College, Trine University, and most recently Tiffin University where he was the Director of Bands as well taught percussion lessons, percussion ensemble, jazz band, funk band, rhythm section courses, and music entrepreneurship. He has also worked as a percussion instructor and clinician for high school band programs all over the midwest region for the last fifteen years.

A native of Mid-Michigan, Drew began his musical journey at the age of eight with piano lessons, soon followed by guitar, saxophone, and finally settling on drums and percussion in high school. Throughout high school and college Drew was a member of both drum corps and indoor percussion ensembles that included the Madison Scouts, The Glassmen, The Americanos, and NorthCoast Academy Percussion. Drew graduated with a bachelor's degree in music education from Saginaw Valley State University and then attended graduate school at Central Michigan University where he earned a masters degree in percussion performance.

In 2011 Drew co-founded the Detroit-based ensemble Rela Percussion. Since then Rela has commissioned a number of works for percussion quartet as well as performed in chamber ensemble competitions across the country. In 2017 Rela held a residency at The Toledo Museum of Art where they spent two weeks making percussion instruments from glass. As part of this project they commissioned the piece Glass Cathedral by David Gillingham to be performed on four glass marimbas.

Currently Drew is the Percussion Advisor for the Shaker Heights Public Schools band program, is an active gigging and session drummer, and also a multi-instrumentalist playing keyboards, saxophone, and bass guitar on a number of projects. In his spare time Drew enjoys getting outside to hike, go paddle boarding, play disc golf, and spend time with his wife and two children.

Education
MM, Music Performance, Central Michigan University
BA, Music Education, Saginaw Valley State University Close
Back to List

Subscribe

Sign Up

Get email updates from The Music Settlement

Share This Page