The Juneau Jazz & Classics Education & Outreach Program is a major component of the Festival that reflects our strong commitment to education, community, youth and accessibility. This year, Juneau Jazz & Classics will serve an estimated 4,000 students through workshops, school concerts, clinics, a scholarship program and a host of free informal concerts, all an integral part of our mission to make our artists and their music accessible to everyone.

We typically engage our artists to stay in town several days beyond their main stage performance to share their talents and expertise through the Education & Outreach Program.

Jane & Thomas B. Stewart Education Fund 

"Supporting Youth in Education and Performance"

A Message from Kathy Kolkhorst Ruddy, Chair, Juneau Jazz & Classics Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of Juneau Jazz & Classics has created the "Jane and Thomas B. Stewart Education Fund" in honor of two of our most dedicated supporters.

Jane was a dedicated music teacher to Juneau for almost forty years, and a master organizer of amateur musicians and singers. My first experience with Jane's direction was as a flute player in the little orchestra for the Juneau Lyric Opera's production of Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutti" in 1979. She started us rehearsing a good five months before the scheduled performance. 

Tom Stewart was an equally stalwart supporter of Juneau Jazz & Classics. He sat in the front of the house for all of our classical concerts as far back as I can remember, and was always available for sage advice. We remember him as a visionary in the creation of the State of Alaska 50 years ago as well as a cultural leader.  

Every year at the first classical concert of our festival, we light a candle and leave it burning during the concert, in memory of Jane and Thomas B. Stewart. 

-Kathy Kolkhorst Ruddy, Board Chair