2015 Duke Madison Scholarship Recipient

Brittany Conn Receives 2015 Duke Madison Memorial Scholarship presented by The Jazz Arts Foundation, Inc.

Ms. Conn is a 2015 graduate of George Rogers Clark High School where she was a member of the marching band.  Brittany plays the saxophone and is also a member of the Central Kentucky Youth Jazz Orchestra. Being selected as this year’s scholarship winner entitled her to attend one week at Jamey Aebersold’s Summer Jazz Workshop at the University of Louisville. This workshop offered an amazing experience that brought jazz musicians together from all walks of life.  NEA Jazz Master Jamey Aebersold has been teaching and conducting jazz for 50 years. This fall Brittany will be a freshman at the University of Kentucky where she will be studying music.

My experience at the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp
“The Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp has enriched my life, my musicianship, and my whole outlook on jazz. I had already loved jazz, but didn’t fully understand the whole concept. I learned ways to improve my soloing and I also learned how much jazz is occurring consistently around the world with professional groups. Along with that, I made friends from around the world that helped make my experience so much fun. I was able to learn that even across the world, jazz is there and teens just like me are in the same learning process. Jamey and the faculty were also very supportive and interested in anything we had to say or ask about. Also, meeting Chris Potter meant everything because he is my hero and he even signed my saxophone! Furthermore, because I spent so much time on the tenor saxophone, I became a better musician. I was able to play with other kids, and because of it, I learned from people who were better than me. Lastly, because of this camp, I realized how much practice time I have lost. I now have a better understanding of how to practice, what to practice, and how much I should be practicing. So basically, my new habit consists of practicing 2 – 3 hours daily. In the past it was around 3 – 4 hours a week. Therefore, this camp has changed my entire outlook and musicianship. I plan to continue to improve and learn and would love to have the opportunity to come back in the future. Thank you.”
Brittany Conn