Hudson Valley Youth Jazz Orchestra (HVYJO)
directed by Dan Shaut
🎷 Who Are We?
The Hudson Valley Youth Jazz Orchestra (HVYJO) is the premier college-preparatory jazz ensemble for the region’s top high school musicians. We provide an opportunity to rehearse weekly, work with world-class guest artists, and perform challenging big band literature in a professional environment.
🎶HVYJO Quick Facts
Location: Kingston, NY
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) from across the Hudson Valley
Rehearsals: Weekly during the school year
Performances: Community concerts, festivals, and side-by-side events with professional ensembles
Auditions: Ongoing — Apply here ➜
🎓Alumni Success
HVYJO alumni have gone on to study music at:
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Manhattan School of Music (3 students)
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Berklee College of Music (6 students)
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University of North Texas College of Music (2 Students)
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Oberlin Conservatory of Music
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Temple University (Boyer College of Music)
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Ithaca College, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Purchase, SUNY Potsdam (Crane School of Music)
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SUNY Binghamton Jazz Ensemble (4 students)
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Columbia University, William Paterson University, NYU Steinhardt
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Glenn Gould School (Royal Conservatory of Music)
🎶 Guest Artists & Clinicians
We regularly work with internationally recognized musicians and educators, including:
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Steve Wilson • Dennis Mackrel • Conrad Herwig • Jim Snidero • Michael Phillip Mossman • Terell Stafford • Roland Vazquez • Steven Feifke • Craig Handy • Gary Smulyan
Plus, top Hudson Valley professionals such as Bob Shaut, Jeff “Siege” Siegel, Matt Finck, Laurel Massé, Peter Einhorn, Tristen Napoli, Rich Syracuse, Professor Louie, and more.
🏆 Achievements
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Students named to NYSSMA All-State Jazz Ensemble (15+ students)
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Students named to NYSBDA All-State Jazz Band (12 + students)
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Self produced full length album
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Performances at The Falcon and Bard College
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Selected Best Trombone Section at the 2019 Essentially Ellington Regional Festival
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Multiple students chosen as Outstanding Soloists
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Side-by-side performances with the Analog Jazz Orchestra, Steven Bernstein Quintet, and Roland Vazquez Nonet
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Collaborations with Grammy-nominated producers and engineers
👤 Meet the Director
Dan Shaut
Dan Shaut, founder and music director, is a saxophonist, educator, and bandleader with a Master’s degree in Saxophone Performance (University of Maryland) and a Bachelor’s in Music Education (Ithaca College).