Jazz Arts Education & Community Outreach Volunteer

Jazz Power Initiative (JPI), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, serves over 3,100 New Yorkers and visitors annually—including students, teachers, artists, seniors, and general audiences ranging from ages 8–80+—to promote youth development, and build more creative and inclusive communities through jazz music, theater, and dance education and performance.

Led by highly experienced teaching artists who are award‑winning jazz, theater, and dance professionals, JPI offers multidisciplinary training, scholarships, and performance opportunities to New York City youth ages 8–19 from all economic and social backgrounds. We have an "open‑door" policy and extended outreach to students in under‑served NYC public schools in Upper Manhattan. Currently, we engage over 1,000 students and their teachers annually, providing after‑school, in‑school instruction and performances primarily in Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood (where our offices are located) and in the Bronx.

For adults we offer a Community Workshop weekly and each summer with the Jazz Power Institute for artists and educators at Lehman College (CUNY).

We produce 30 community concerts annually featuring over 100 professional jazz and Latin jazz artists at partner stages including Harlem School of the Arts, ACTS Cultural Center at the Eliza, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center, and NYC Parks.

Support Jazz Power Initiative’s educational programs for youth and adults—including after‑school programs, community workshops, and teacher training. Volunteers help ensure smooth program flow while also supporting outreach and tabling to engage participants and families.

Join Jazz Power Initiative and be part of a vibrant community that transforms lives through jazz arts education and performance. Since 2003, JPI has brought high‑quality, accessible programs to thousands of young people and community members, using jazz—rooted in African American culture—as a powerful tool for creativity, storytelling, and connection.