The co-creators of the TD Niagara Jazz Festival (Juliet Dunn and the late Peter Shea) strongly believe in mentoring and empowering youth in their community and beyond. They have developed a program for youth called: ‘JAZZ 4 the AGES’. Under this umbrella, the festival produces an annual ‘JAZZ 4 the AGES’ Youth competition as well as various workshops and Master Classes for youth. The festival works and partners with various schools such as Ridley College and Laura Secord High School to help bring this program to fruition.

This program has provided learning opportunities for various young and upcoming musicians as well as performance opportunities for them in a professional environment (sometimes up to 700 audience members) and chances for the participants to meet and network with established and successful musicians.

The auditions are curated by a panel of professional jazz musicians with background in the following: Piano, guitar, vocal, saxophone, trumpet, drums, organ, producing and more.

To view last year's finalists, CLICK HERE