The Vocal Workshops are lead by acclaimed singer Tonya Boyd-Cannon as part of a partnership between the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD) to offer music education programs around the city. These workshops meet weekly from October to April and are open by audition to students ages 7 to 13.
The classes utilize a curriculum that Boyd-Cannon has developed called ARTcademics. Students receive instruction in: posture; breath control and breathing techniques; self-awareness and vocal register variations; ear-training; scales; and vocal repertoire.
The classes are part of an initiative to increase music education offerings in New Orleans. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation – the nonprofit that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell – already offers several programs at its facility in the Tremé neighborhood, the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center.