What an amazing program! NJK instructors challenge and encourage students to grow as musicians in a welcoming, safe and supportive environment. In just two years with NJK, our son has improved and expanded his musicianship, garnered invaluable ensemble experience and enjoyed opportunities to learn from and perform alongside professional musicians at Maryland Hall and other notable venues throughout the community. Can't wait to see what NJK has in store for the future!
~Grace
Crofton
My daughter has had the privilege of working with Naptown Jazz Kids for a few years now and we absolutely adore the group! NJK has been a starting point to pursuing an education with a music basis and instilling a true love of music. I couldn't be happier!
~Elizabeth
Annapolis
My son is new to Naptown Jazz Kids and is absolutely loving it! He has learned so much and has made many new friends.
~Scott
Annapolis
My daughter has been a part of Naptown Jazz Kids for two years, and it has been a wonderful experience for her. She has improved her musical skills, learned about jazz history and culture, and met many talented musicians from the local and national scene. Naptown Jazz Kids is more than just a music program; it is a positive force that inspires the kids to work hard, have fun, and be proud of their achievements.
~Chris
Severna Park
Naptown Jazz Kids is great because I get to connect with Steve Fidyk, who is a very inspiring, professional musician.
~Owen
Severna Park
My son Ryan has been participating in Naptown Jazz Kids for the last 2 years. It has been an amazing experience for him. Steve Fidyk, the founder, is a talented musician and an even better person. He has simultaneously helped Ryan to grow into a better musician and a better human. We are immensely grateful. Learning how to make jazz together helps kids learn confidence, flexibility, ingenuity, and creativity. NJK is truly priceless!
~Kristen
Crofton
Great energy, and so encouraging to the students!
~Kristie
Crofton
Naptown Jazz Kids is incredible! My son has learned so much, and progressed in his confidence and musicality. I am so grateful for the experience and hope to continue for many years to come.
~Corrine
Edgewater
Naptown Jazz Kids is a wonderfully engaging program for all- and we love having them here at Maryland Hall!
~Claudette
Annapolis
Naptown Jazz Kids Invitational Jazz Festival Testimonials:
The students raved about the event. Hopefully we can join forces with you in the future. Many thanks for putting on such a fantastic event!! ~ Kevin Ladd, Kenwood H.S.
My students had an unbelievable experience. Everything was well organized, and event ran smoothly. The venue was amazing, and the students absolutely loved performing in that theater. Thank you so much for making this incredible performance opportunity and educational experience available to our students. ~ Brian Ecton, Calvert Hall College H.S.
The Crofton Middle School band had the pleasure of participating in the inaugural Naptown Jazz Kids Band Festival on Saturday, April 27 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. To say the event was a success is an understatement. I have taught for 34 years, and it was the best music festival to which I have taken students. The festival staff was welcoming and helpful, the facilities were excellent, the adjudicators and clinicians were world class, and the concluding concert by the Army Blues was amazing. The hospitality of Mr. Fidyk and his team was above and beyond any expectations. We were the only middle school band in attendance. and I was concerned about keeping our student's attention throughout the long day. The clinicians were very mindful of this and provided a good mix of information for younger and more advanced students. My students were engaged throughout the day and evening concert. I received many positive comments from parents and students after the event. I am not aware of many other school jazz band festivals in the DC/Baltimore area. I would welcome the opportunity to take my students again in the future.
~ Mike Tayman, Crofton M.S.
The festival was great! I loved the location and the way you ran it. It was clearly for the students, which I think is most important. ~ Ed Hrybyk, Baltimore School for the Arts
The Naptown Kids Jazz Festival at UMBC was a great experience for me and my band. The performance venue was top notch and the clinics/workshops were well planned and thought out. The event was very well run with fantastic volunteers helping guide the students/directors. The culminating performance by the U.S. Army Blues was certainly the icing on the cake. If our schedule permits, I look forward to bringing my jazz ensemble back to this festival.
~ Christopher Campbell, Archbishop Curley H.S.
Thanks again for putting together such a terrific event. Both bands from La Salle enjoyed the experience tremendously. Getting to work hands on with each section of the Army Blues was such a highlight for our students. The open forum setting and demonstrations that the group provided were invaluable. Of course, we were all blown away with the performance at the end of the night. A wonderful treat to cap of a great day of performances. We are eager to take the trip down to Maryland and perform in next years festival. Thanks again for the invite!
~ Christopher Mele, Fine Arts Department Chair, LaSalle H.S.
The Calvert High Big Band thoroughly enjoyed the Naptown Jazz Kids Big Band Invitational Festival. Students were given a chance to showcase their hard work in a large-scale venue outside of their typical auditorium. They got to work with a jazz professional and refine their technique alongside peers from around the state. UMBC, Steve Fidyk, and the entire Naptown Jazz Kids organization were great hosts for this event! ~ Caitlin Piper, Calvert H.S.
My students had a wonderful time at the Naptown Jazz Kids Invitational that was held on UMBC's campus at the end of March. Students engaged with professionals, were provided meaningful feedback, and were treated to an OUTSTANDING concert by the Army Blues. The students were very impressed with the quality and aesthetics of the facilities, and I'm sure there was some great interested generated for UMBC just from the students being on campus and having such a positive experience. ~ Erick Vonsas, Crofton H.S.
~Grace
Crofton
My daughter has had the privilege of working with Naptown Jazz Kids for a few years now and we absolutely adore the group! NJK has been a starting point to pursuing an education with a music basis and instilling a true love of music. I couldn't be happier!
~Elizabeth
Annapolis
My son is new to Naptown Jazz Kids and is absolutely loving it! He has learned so much and has made many new friends.
~Scott
Annapolis
My daughter has been a part of Naptown Jazz Kids for two years, and it has been a wonderful experience for her. She has improved her musical skills, learned about jazz history and culture, and met many talented musicians from the local and national scene. Naptown Jazz Kids is more than just a music program; it is a positive force that inspires the kids to work hard, have fun, and be proud of their achievements.
~Chris
Severna Park
Naptown Jazz Kids is great because I get to connect with Steve Fidyk, who is a very inspiring, professional musician.
~Owen
Severna Park
My son Ryan has been participating in Naptown Jazz Kids for the last 2 years. It has been an amazing experience for him. Steve Fidyk, the founder, is a talented musician and an even better person. He has simultaneously helped Ryan to grow into a better musician and a better human. We are immensely grateful. Learning how to make jazz together helps kids learn confidence, flexibility, ingenuity, and creativity. NJK is truly priceless!
~Kristen
Crofton
Great energy, and so encouraging to the students!
~Kristie
Crofton
Naptown Jazz Kids is incredible! My son has learned so much, and progressed in his confidence and musicality. I am so grateful for the experience and hope to continue for many years to come.
~Corrine
Edgewater
Naptown Jazz Kids is a wonderfully engaging program for all- and we love having them here at Maryland Hall!
~Claudette
Annapolis
Naptown Jazz Kids Invitational Jazz Festival Testimonials:
The students raved about the event. Hopefully we can join forces with you in the future. Many thanks for putting on such a fantastic event!! ~ Kevin Ladd, Kenwood H.S.
My students had an unbelievable experience. Everything was well organized, and event ran smoothly. The venue was amazing, and the students absolutely loved performing in that theater. Thank you so much for making this incredible performance opportunity and educational experience available to our students. ~ Brian Ecton, Calvert Hall College H.S.
The Crofton Middle School band had the pleasure of participating in the inaugural Naptown Jazz Kids Band Festival on Saturday, April 27 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. To say the event was a success is an understatement. I have taught for 34 years, and it was the best music festival to which I have taken students. The festival staff was welcoming and helpful, the facilities were excellent, the adjudicators and clinicians were world class, and the concluding concert by the Army Blues was amazing. The hospitality of Mr. Fidyk and his team was above and beyond any expectations. We were the only middle school band in attendance. and I was concerned about keeping our student's attention throughout the long day. The clinicians were very mindful of this and provided a good mix of information for younger and more advanced students. My students were engaged throughout the day and evening concert. I received many positive comments from parents and students after the event. I am not aware of many other school jazz band festivals in the DC/Baltimore area. I would welcome the opportunity to take my students again in the future.
~ Mike Tayman, Crofton M.S.
The festival was great! I loved the location and the way you ran it. It was clearly for the students, which I think is most important. ~ Ed Hrybyk, Baltimore School for the Arts
The Naptown Kids Jazz Festival at UMBC was a great experience for me and my band. The performance venue was top notch and the clinics/workshops were well planned and thought out. The event was very well run with fantastic volunteers helping guide the students/directors. The culminating performance by the U.S. Army Blues was certainly the icing on the cake. If our schedule permits, I look forward to bringing my jazz ensemble back to this festival.
~ Christopher Campbell, Archbishop Curley H.S.
Thanks again for putting together such a terrific event. Both bands from La Salle enjoyed the experience tremendously. Getting to work hands on with each section of the Army Blues was such a highlight for our students. The open forum setting and demonstrations that the group provided were invaluable. Of course, we were all blown away with the performance at the end of the night. A wonderful treat to cap of a great day of performances. We are eager to take the trip down to Maryland and perform in next years festival. Thanks again for the invite!
~ Christopher Mele, Fine Arts Department Chair, LaSalle H.S.
The Calvert High Big Band thoroughly enjoyed the Naptown Jazz Kids Big Band Invitational Festival. Students were given a chance to showcase their hard work in a large-scale venue outside of their typical auditorium. They got to work with a jazz professional and refine their technique alongside peers from around the state. UMBC, Steve Fidyk, and the entire Naptown Jazz Kids organization were great hosts for this event! ~ Caitlin Piper, Calvert H.S.
My students had a wonderful time at the Naptown Jazz Kids Invitational that was held on UMBC's campus at the end of March. Students engaged with professionals, were provided meaningful feedback, and were treated to an OUTSTANDING concert by the Army Blues. The students were very impressed with the quality and aesthetics of the facilities, and I'm sure there was some great interested generated for UMBC just from the students being on campus and having such a positive experience. ~ Erick Vonsas, Crofton H.S.
