Ken Schaphorst ’84 MM and Amelia Hollander Ames ’04 MM Lead Musical Excellence at the 22nd Panama Jazz Festival

Students, alumni, and faculty traveled to the 22nd Annual Panama Jazz Festival. This festival was founded by GRAMMY-winning Panamanian jazz pianist and composer, Danilo Pérez, in 2003 to celebrate jazz as a force for cultural exchange, education, and social change.

Leading NEC’s jazz contingent was Ken Schaphorst ’84 MM, Chair of NEC’s Jazz Department, who traveled with NEC jazz students Hannah Marks, Jake Walters, Gabriel Nieves, Mark Valdes, and Anouk Chemla. The group engaged with festival participants through master classes on their respective instruments, collaborative jam sessions, and performances at the Ateneo Theater. Their festival experience culminated in an outdoor performance at Cuadrángulo Central within the Ciudad del Saber University, an inspiring moment that highlighted NEC’s commitment to international music education.

Amelia Hollander Ames ’04 MM joined NEC's Piano Trio-in-Residence, Trio Eris, along with NEC’s Director of Community Engagement and Professional Studies, Tanya Maggi, to lead the 12th Annual Intercambio de Música Clásica. Hosted at the newly opened Ciudad de las Artes, Panama’s Ministry of Culture-supported arts center, this four-day chamber music workshop welcomed over 80 students of all levels. Participants received private lessons, master classes, and chamber music coaching, culminating in a final showcase featuring student performances and a concert by Trio Eris.

With an atmosphere of creativity, mentorship, and cultural exchange, the 22nd Panama Jazz Festival once again underscored NEC’s dedication to fostering global music education. As the festival continues to provide a platform for emerging and established musicians alike, NEC’s presence remains an integral part of this annual celebration of music and learning.