A key part of our Mission, for the last 30 years Musicfest has identified, supported, and promoted numerous aspiring Young Musicians from around the Valley of the Sun and Tucson area.
Through our highly-regarded Competitions, each year Musicfest supports Young Musicians with commentary, praise, and critique from some of the area’s finest musicians. Standout participants earn prizes and performance opportunities through our Young Musicians Concerts in the MIM Music Theater. These extraordinary students are also invited to Masterclasses and Private Lessons with some of our featured Festival Performers. As students transition their studies to the collegiate level, Musicfest proudly sponsors two first-year and four continuing students pursuing undergraduate studies through the Musicfest Scholarship Program.
Select from the tabs on the left to find out more!
Young Musicians CompetitionsThe Young Musicians Competition recognizes the outstanding talents of young musicians, provides a space where young competitors can perform for and receive evaluations from respected judges, and distributes monetary awards to winners who may also earn opportunities to perform as part of the Arizona Musicfest concert series.
Click below for competition details, rules, and applications:
Arizona Musicfest ScholarshipSince 2011, the Arizona Musicfest Scholarship Program has generously awarded over ninety thousand dollars to Arizona students pursuing college degrees in music.
Arizona Musicfest Scholarship recipients are currently pursuing or have recently earned degrees from the following distinguished institutions:The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory of Music, The Cleveland Institute of Music, USC’s Thornton School of Music, Biola University, Arizona State University, The Eastman School of Music, Vanderbilt University, and Curtis Institute of Music.
Learn about past recipients and find application information through the link below!
During the 2022-2023 season, Arizona Musicfest will produce a series of three Young Musicians Concerts at the MIM Music Theater in Phoenix. Join us and experience virtuosity from the start! Follow the links below to purchase tickets:
Free drum circles led by Frank Thompson
Join our introduction to West-African Handdrumming!
https://youtu.be/5v3Yxcj3Euc Course Overview Group Piano Fundamentals III is a welcoming course designed for adult beginners who have "graduated" from Piano Fundamentals II. In a supportive group setting, students explore the foundational elements of piano playing and music theory, progressing from elementary to intermediate levels. The course incorporates technology such as digital sheet music, interactive apps, music theory games, and ear training tools to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience. A key component of the course is the use of the Piano Marvel app, a powerful learning platform that enhances practice, progress tracking, and sight-reading development. Piano Marvel provides instant feedback on accuracy and rhythm, structured curriculum levels, video tutorials, and personalized learning paths that align with each student's goals. What You’ll Learn: Healthy Piano Technique (Taubman Approach): Develop proper body alignment, hand positioning, coordinated movements, and ergonomic technique for long-term success and injury prevention. Basic Music Theory: Learn to read music, understand intervals, scales, and chord progressions through traditional instruction, interactive apps, and gamified learning. Piano Ensemble: Collaborate with fellow students in multi-part pieces, fostering rhythm, listening, and ensemble skills in a fun, community-based format. Improvisation: Explore basic improvisation techniques to enhance creativity and confidence in self-expression at the keyboard. Course Topics Include: Music Notation: Clefs, notes, durations, and time signatures Musical Terms: Essential vocabulary for reading and interpreting music Intervals, Pentachords, Triads, and Inversions Major Scales and Application in Repertoire Chord Progressions: I, IV, V, and vi chords in various keys Repertoire: Simple melodies, homophonic textures, block and broken chord accompaniments Materials Provided: Printed and digital sheet music tailored for beginners Practice resources including sight-reading and music theory apps Access to online video tutorials and supplementary learning tools What You’ll Need: To take advantage of all of Piano Marvel's features, we recommend practicing on a MIDI enabled piano. If you are using an acoustic piano, you can use Piano Marvel in "Book Mode". ...
https://youtu.be/5v3Yxcj3Euc Course Overview Group Piano Fundamentals II is a welcoming course designed for adult beginners who have "graduated" from Piano Fundamentals I. In a supportive group setting, students explore the foundational elements of piano playing and music theory, progressing from elementary to intermediate levels. The course incorporates technology such as digital sheet music, interactive apps, music theory games, and ear training tools to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience. A key component of the course is the use of the Piano Marvel app, a powerful learning platform that enhances practice, progress tracking, and sight-reading development. Piano Marvel provides instant feedback on accuracy and rhythm, structured curriculum levels, video tutorials, and personalized learning paths that align with each student's goals. What You’ll Learn: Healthy Piano Technique (Taubman Approach): Develop proper body alignment, hand positioning, coordinated movements, and ergonomic technique for long-term success and injury prevention. Basic Music Theory: Learn to read music, understand intervals, scales, and chord progressions through traditional instruction, interactive apps, and gamified learning. Piano Ensemble: Collaborate with fellow students in multi-part pieces, fostering rhythm, listening, and ensemble skills in a fun, community-based format. Improvisation: Explore basic improvisation techniques to enhance creativity and confidence in self-expression at the keyboard. Course Topics Include: Music Notation: Clefs, notes, durations, and time signatures Musical Terms: Essential vocabulary for reading and interpreting music Intervals, Pentachords, Triads, and Inversions Major Scales and Application in Repertoire Chord Progressions: I, IV, V, and vi chords in various keys Repertoire: Simple melodies, homophonic textures, block and broken chord accompaniments Materials Provided: Printed and digital sheet music tailored for beginners Practice resources including sight-reading and music theory apps Access to online video tutorials and supplementary learning tools What You’ll Need: To take advantage of all of Piano Marvel's features, we recommend practicing on a MIDI enabled piano. If you are using an acoustic piano, you can use Piano Marvel in "Book Mode". ...
Discover the joy of making music in a fun, relaxed group setting! This class will introduce the basics of playing the ukulele and guitar — no prior experience needed. You’ll learn tuning, simple chords, strumming patterns, and easy songs to play right away. Along the way, you’ll build confidence, improve coordination, and enjoy the benefits of making music together. Bring your own ukulele or guitar and get ready to strum! No experience, but lots of enthusiasm, required. Students must provide their own instruments. (For Ukuleles, Concert or Tenor-size Ukuleles recommended, Baritones welcome!). 2025/26 Class Schedule (Classes begin at 10:30 AM).: Fall 2025 (8 classes + jam session): 10/13/25 - 12/8/25 | $225 Winter 2026 (8 classes + jam session): 1/5/26 - 3/23/26 | $225 Spring 2026 (8 classes + jam session): 3/30/26 -6/1/26 | $225 (Note: No class on January 19, February 16 and March 9) REFUND POLICY: Music Alive! uses a semester-based tuition structure. Courses are non-refundable after the 2nd class. All course refunds (minus the processing fee) shall be prorated up to and including the 2nd class. https://youtube.com/shorts/Qk_JiWY0AtQ?si=vRyqgt_CW6EptrUT https://youtube.com/shorts/1CZcRAm3we0?feature=share
Extend your ukulele practice with Teaching Artist Emily Bruso and fellow ukulele enthusiasts!
Join this welcoming, intermediate guitar class for adults and enjoy playing music together. Everyone works on the same songs, with guidance on how to adapt chords, strumming patterns, and techniques to suit your individual ability. The emphasis is on playing as a group, building skills at your own pace, and having fun with music in a supportive community. Some experience required. Students must provide their own instruments. 2025/26 Class Schedule (Classes begin at 1:00 PM).: Fall 2025 (8 classes + jam session): 10/13/25 - 12/8/25 | $225 Winter 2026 (8 classes + jam session): 1/5/26 - 3/23/26 | $225 Spring 2026 (8 classes + jam session): 3/30/26 -6/1/26 | $225 (Note: No class on January 19, February 16 and March 9) REFUND POLICY: Music Alive! uses a semester-based tuition structure. Courses are non-refundable after the 2nd class. All course refunds (minus the processing fee) shall be prorated up to and including the 2nd class. https://youtube.com/shorts/1CZcRAm3we0?feature=share
https://youtu.be/5v3Yxcj3Euc Course Overview Group Piano Fundamentals I is a welcoming course designed for adult beginners with minimal or no prior piano experience. In a supportive group setting, students explore the foundational elements of piano playing and music theory, progressing from elementary to intermediate levels. The course incorporates technology such as digital sheet music, interactive apps, music theory games, and ear training tools to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience. A key component of the course is the use of the Piano Marvel app, a powerful learning platform that enhances practice, progress tracking, and sight-reading development. Piano Marvel provides instant feedback on accuracy and rhythm, structured curriculum levels, video tutorials, and personalized learning paths that align with each student's goals. What You’ll Learn: Healthy Piano Technique (Taubman Approach): Develop proper body alignment, hand positioning, coordinated movements, and ergonomic technique for long-term success and injury prevention. Basic Music Theory: Learn to read music, understand intervals, scales, and chord progressions through traditional instruction, interactive apps, and gamified learning. Piano Ensemble: Collaborate with fellow students in multi-part pieces, fostering rhythm, listening, and ensemble skills in a fun, community-based format. Improvisation: Explore basic improvisation techniques to enhance creativity and confidence in self-expression at the keyboard. Course Topics Include: Music Notation: Clefs, notes, durations, and time signatures Musical Terms: Essential vocabulary for reading and interpreting music Intervals, Pentachords, Triads, and Inversions Major Scales and Application in Repertoire Chord Progressions: I, IV, V, and vi chords in various keys Repertoire: Simple melodies, homophonic textures, block and broken chord accompaniments Materials Provided: Printed and digital sheet music tailored for beginners Practice resources including sight-reading and music theory apps Access to online video tutorials and supplementary learning tools What You’ll Need: To take advantage of all of Piano Marvel's features, we recommend practicing on a MIDI enabled piano. If you are using an acoustic piano, you can use Piano Marvel in "Book Mode". ...
“Rhythm Is My Business” is the title of his 1989 debut recording as a bandleader, and legendary drummer Lewis Nash is all about the business of keeping rhythm. Universally recognized as one of the great drummers in jazz history, his illustrious career now spans over four decades. Nash is one of jazz’s most recorded musicians, appearing on over 500 recordings including 10 Grammy winners and numerous Grammy nominees. In fact, Nash has the distinction of being the only musician in jazz history featured on albums honored in both the “Best Jazz Vocal" and “Best Jazz Instrumental" album categories in two separate years: the 2004 Grammys with Nancy Wilson and McCoy Tyner, and again in 2010 with Dee Dee Bridgewater and James Moody. A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Lewis arrived in New York City in 1981 at the age of 22 and first gained international recognition as a member of vocalist Betty Carter’s trio. This was a pivotal time in his development, as he traveled the world for nearly 4 years with Carter and had the opportunity to meet and engage with many of his musical peers and predecessors. In the years to follow, Nash toured, recorded and performed with many of jazz’s most celebrated icons, and his resume reads like a “who’s who” of jazz royalty. These jazz legends include: Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, JJ Johnson, Sonny Rollins, Tommy Flanagan, Benny Carter, Sonny Stitt, Clark Terry, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Art Farmer, Gerry Mulligan, Hank Jones, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, Ray Brown, Kenny Burrell, Milt Jackson, Jim Hall, Jimmy Heath, Randy Weston, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, and many, many more! In 2012, The Nash, a jazz education center and performance venue named in his honor, was established in his home town of Phoenix. It has been a focal point of the city’s jazz activity since it’s inception, and has been named ...
This series will take participants on a transformative journey -learning how to use music to maintain wellness and optimize their abilities throughout the aging process. All sessions will be experiential in order to support direct transfer into everyday life. Participants will leave each session with practical exercises and creative uses of music for both the home and the community. In addition to active engagement, each session will allow time for individual questions and homework-based discussion. Two weeks between sessions will provide participants with time to fully explore and integrate what they learn and experience in each session. In order for participants to get the most out of this experience, this course is designed for participants to attend all six sessions. Therefore, signing up for this course means you are registered for all classes. Please consider this when before signing up, as seating is limited. January 6: #1 Applied Neuroscience of Music: How Does Music Impact MY Brain? In this interactive session, participants will learn the science behind music and how it can optimize wellness, support injury recovery, and invigorate the aging process. The content will prepare participants for moving forward on their musical journeys within the series. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on how they currently use music and how they would like to integrate music into their daily lives based on their individual goals in order to support their own creative aging. January 20: #2: Thinking it Through: Using Music to Keep Your Brain Active and Flexible This session will explore the use of music throughout the participant’s every day life to enhance memory and cognitive functions. Participants will create useful tools for their own easy access at home, in the grocery store and anywhere they’d like! They will begin the journey of creative music making in their everyday lives. February 3: #3 Moving for Wellness In this active session, participants will engage ...