Young Lions Jazz Conservatory

Young Lions Jazz Conservatory (YLJC) was founded by world-renowned jazz trumpeter and educator Gilbert Castellanos. His passion for jazz education led him to create The Young Lions Series in 2013, a program that showcases rising jazz talents (ages 11-18) and provides them with invaluable performance experience. Hosted weekly at Balboa Park’s Panama 66, the series allows young musicians to hone their craft under Castellanos’ mentorship.

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Building on the success of the Young Lions Series, Castellanos expanded his vision in 2017 to launch Young Lions Jazz Conservatory, a non-profit dedicated to shaping the next generation of jazz musicians

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Young Lions Jazz Conservatory (YLJC) was founded by world-renowned jazz trumpeter and educator Gilbert Castellanos. His passion for jazz education led him to create The Young Lions Series in 2013, a program that showcases rising jazz talents (ages 11-18) and provides them with invaluable performance experience. Hosted weekly at Balboa Park’s Panama 66, the series allows young musicians to hone their craft under Castellanos’ mentorship.

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Building on the success of the Young Lions Series, Castellanos expanded his vision in 2017 to launch Young Lions Jazz Conservatory, a non-profit dedicated to shaping the next generation of jazz musicians. YLJC provides students with a comprehensive jazz education, covering theory, history, cultural influences, Latin/Afro/Brazilian rhythms, and master classes with internationally acclaimed artists. Students rehearse weekly in small combos and gain real-world performance experience at prestigious venues and festivals, including Jazz @ The Jacobs Series at Jacobs Music Center, The Rady Shell, KSDS Jazz 88.3 Live Series, North Park Music Festival, Adams Avenue Street Fair, and the Next Gen Monterey Jazz Festival. Additionally, conservatory students are featured at the Young Lions Series at Panama 66 each Wednesday and at other private and public events throughout San Diego County.

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