Adam Bernstein’s Jazz Mindfulness Program (JMP), now entering its second year, is set to begin a new semester in October. Bernstein, a well-known musician and jazz educator, has created a program designed to bring music and mindfulness practice together in a new way to nurture young people in their day-to-day lives. Students have the opportunity to play jazz while learning mindfulness meditation.

“When students learn mindfulness at a young age, they can experience both the joy of music and also get beneath the chatter and judgment that can suppress the creative, open mind,” says Bernstein. “The skill of mindfulness can help them in their daily lives, too. One of my youngest students, who was being very hard on herself about her schoolwork, told me that when she stopped to notice her breath, she was able to calm down.”

The Jazz Mindfulness Program’s second season begins on October 4, 2010. The weekly program, aimed at teens (instrumentalists and singers), aged 12-18 meets for two hours on Monday evenings, 5:30-7:30pm. There will be two semesters: 10/04/10-1/31/11 and 2/7/11-5/23/11. Each semester culminates with a Community Concert. The Winter Concert will take place on Fri, 2/4/11 at 7PM. All are welcome. All classes and performances take place at the Brooklyn Zen Center, 505 Carroll St., Suite A, Brooklyn, NY 11215.

The two-hour sessions include 1) a short period of meditation instruction and practice, 2) jazz theory and instruction, and 3) combo and large ensemble practice.  Students do not need a background in either jazz or meditation, but some familiarity with their instrument will be helpful. The 28-week program is divided into two semesters; each semester costs $750.