The SoCal Jazz Academy performed at our HOA 25th Anniversary event in Irvine and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the music, including a vocalist with a beautiful voice. Thank you to all of the the musicians for making our event extra memorable.

A rare opportunity to learn from the maestros of jazz in an intimate atmosphere with many opportunities to perform.

Instruction is excellent and encouraging. I highly recommend signing up for solo lessons or group combos if you want to get great at jazz.

I joined So Cal Jazz about a year ago and highly recommend it. I had a music background, but no study or experience with jazz.

The school provides a full framework for learning: great instructors, lots of combos to play in, a direct connection to the So Cal jazz scene and lots of local performances.

If you have at least a low-intermediate competence on your instrument you can succeed here. It's a warm, inviting place to learn.

My son has really been enjoying his lessons and is learning so much! We are grateful for Dr. Karim and all the other teachers!

I was away from my instrument for 30+ years and decided to take it up again 3 years ago. After trying other community Jazz programs, I reached out to Karim Yengsep in SoCal Jazz Academy in 2020 and found his program to be refreshingly unique, innovative, educational, and challenging. It completely turned my preconceptions about Jazz upside down and enabled me to grow as a musician in ways that would not have been possible otherwise.

SoCal Jazz Academy is not just about learning and playing some tunes. It's about helping you, whatever your skill level and experience, to learn the language of Jazz, acquire knowledge and skills to be confident and successful on the bandstand, and, most of all, allow yourself to be challenged musically, to be open to new ideas, to explore, and ultimately become a better Jazz musician.

This program will take you as far as you want to go. Personally, I wanted to get good enough to play professionally someday. My experience at SoCal Jazz Academy enabled me to learn first-hand from faculty and guest clinicians who are some of the best working professional Jazz musicians in Southern California. These experiences were invaluable to me. During this past year, I even got invited to play with several of them on professional gigs and Jam sessions. I have completed my program now, have put together a Jazz combo, and, am working on getting professional gigs of my own!

In my opinion, SoCal Jazz Academy is by far the best program available for musicians of all ages and abilities who want to learn how to play Jazz from top-notch professionals in a safe, non-judgmental, diverse, and, most of all, FUN environment. There is no other program like it anywhere.

My 17YO has been taking online piano lessons with Michael Le Van and I am astounded at the progress that he has made in just a few short months.

Michael has a relaxed and personable teaching style that lends itself well to a high-schooler; but he also encourages his students to challenge themselves with material that is level-appropriate. He is an incredible musician and I consider my son lucky to have him as an instructor.

Everyone at the school is Zoom/tech-savvy and there have been zero issues with technology during these post-Covid times. Dr. Yengsep is the Director of the School and the communication from him, the school, and the staff strikes the balance of "just-right" (not too much, not too little...) Also, he is quick to respond if I have any questions. (I have never had to wait and wonder.)

I ran this review past my son and he approves (hard part over). If you are wondering whether to enroll yourself or your child, do yourself a favor and take your playing to the next level!

The entirety of the SoCall Jazz Academy is an incredible collection of educators, professionals, and community members that live and breathe music.

Dr. Karim Yengsep is not only extremely knowledgeable in the realm of jazz musical theory and history, but has a deep love and passion for music and builds community directly around that passion. Being a newer student within the last 2 months, it can feel daunting on paper to approach learning such a culturally important musical tradition, but never once did I feel behind or alienated in any way during my learning journey; Dr. Yengsep and the many other community members of the academy helped me feel right at home and apart of their bigger picture. Overall, SoCal Jazz Academy, along with its community led by Karim, is an incredible institution that is keeping an important cultural musical tradition alive and well.

I would recommend the academy to anyone of any age and any skill level!

Hidden treasure in Orange County! Love every experience and amazing lessons learned so far!

Teachers of SoCal Jazz Academy have made a big change for both my son Sattar and daughter Sofia. They both started learning music with Dr. Karim Yengsep who introduced them to musical instruments 1 year ago. He is the person who inspired them and developed their love to music. After Dr. Yengsep, they both switched to Michael Le Van and kept learning the piano basics. Mr. Le Van is an amazing teacher who gives strong academic skills in a fun way for kids. Also, my son takes drums classes with Mr. John Rush who is an incredible educator. Sattar loves his classes and always excited for them.

And the most favorite and fun part is being in a youth jazz group class among other kids playing different instruments. This class is taught by Dr. Yengsep who is their biggest support and motivator!

This whole jazz community of SoCal Jazz Academy is a very friendly and safe place where students find their inspiration to go further with their musical dreams!

My son is learning upright bass (online due to covid) from Dr. Yengsep. He is a wonderful, patient, encouraging and diligent teacher. He takes a methodical approach, and my son wishes he had learned from him years ago so he would have started off with the proper foundation.

Still, he is glad to be learning now, and even online has progressed so much in a short time due to Dr. Yengsep's guidance. My son also says he feels happier after every lesson. This is what we look for in the best teachers--teaching of proper skills and technique along with sharing their joy and enthusiasm in the way they bring those skills into their life.

Here is a serious jazz community in Irvine, Tustin !

Very affordable, high quality, academic evening jazz classes are ready for full time students and professionals.

If you are looking for a chance to seriously develop yourself as a jazz player, you must check this place out !

First time registrant/student of SoCal Jazz Academy and completely happy with instruction/support from Jazz Director, Karim Yengsep and the Jazz faculty all of which are highly accomplished musicians and extremely supportive instructors.

Many, many thanks for helping me improve my improvisation skills and to gain confidence in my ability to grow as a musician. Blessings

We had SoCal Jazz play at our private event and everything was fantastic! They were very professional, sounded amazing and super friendly! I would definitely recommend them :)

The staff at SoCal Jazz Academy are all great. I took about 15 years off from playing my instrument. Previous to that I played little to no jazz. The staff has been extremely helpful and patient with helping me with my improvisation and jazz style playing. I wish it was closer to me in Long Beach, but it's worth the drive once a week.

If you are an adult who always wanted to play jazz on the piano, drums, sax or other instrument, the SoCal Jazz Academy provides a fantastic opportunity to learn how play in a combo with others of your same ability level.

Karim has established an atmosphere that is congenial and patient with no pressure. Each session is fun, as well as instructive- a very rewarding experience.

If you are serious about your musical journey and education So Cal Jazz is where you want to be. The director Dr. Yengsep and his staff are elite musicians and extremely passionate educators. Their knowledge and commitment to their students are priceless!

Their patience, support and encouragement is so addictive. Moreover, it is extremely obvious that they educate for the joy and LOVE for music! The So Cal Jazz Academy is First Class!!

I had the honor and pleasure off having SoCal Jazz Academy play at my 44th birthday and it couldn't have gone any better. We will definitely have them at future events. It was no bubble gum jazz, they played their hearts out in a beautiful stream of rhythms and skill.

Our daughter has played Cello for year and just started learning drums here. She really enjoys the coaching.

The teachers care, go in depth during the lessons, and provide a positive environment for the students to continue their growth.

A place every week where I could enjoy playing and learning jazz with wonderful students and instructors. I learned so much from true masters like Ron Kobayashi, Mark Massey, and Wendell Kelly.

Dr Yengsep is incredibly generous in getting his students out playing publicly and you’ll see him constantly inviting them onstage wherever he plays.

Look nowhere else for authentic and top class jazz instruction - in Orange County of all places! First, I've been with the Academy for over a year and I'll say that Dr. Karim Yengsep really knows what he's doing. He pulls from his experiences around the world, giving his students individualized and group instruction, and a ridiculous amount of opportunities to practice what they learn, 'en vivo' and live club/restaurant settings.

The Academy can accommodate anyone from absolute beginners (that was me!) through seasoned players. Additionally, Dr. Yengsep has organized a collective of pro-level musicians that he plays with regularly providing students and enthusiasts plenty of local opportunities to see these aural scientists creating in real time. As an added bonus, these same musicians will occasionally drop into course sessions, providing valuable feedback and insight. The students and faculty are so patient and supportive, like a family.

Before I found SoCal Jazz I really thought I'd have to move to LA or SF to get quality instruction and meet fellow jazz heads just starting out - but I was wrong, jazz is alive and thriving right here in OC! SoCal Jazz and Dr. Yengsep contribute greatly to growing this amazing community and I highly recommend you stop by to check it out.

The SoCal Jazz Academy experience is definitely one that you will cherish forever. Dr. Karim Yengsep has created a learning approach that is unconventional and surprising--incorporating Zen Buddhism and philosophical approaches that go above and beyond the principles taught in a conventional music conservatory. Students play alongside seasoned professional musicians in a "safe space" atmosphere where there are no wrong notes while being pushed beyond our comfort zones--exploring and experiencing what it truly means to live and breathe jazz.

Dr. Yengsep encourages a dialogue of ideas and intepretations in every class. He takes your personal musical development goals into consideration and tailors his coaching to your needs. The result is not only improved musicianship but also a new level of confidence in your abilities.

I can't wait to come back for the Fall session!

This is the real deal. For people like me, who have always dreamed of playing real music with other people, and learning how it's done -- from theory, to practice tips, to the process of making live music --, this is perfect. I have learned more in the last few weeks than I could have imagined.

Awesome place to learn and play jazz with a positive and passionate community!

Great place to learn jazz!!

Yesterday's performance by the Karim Yengsep Sextet hit a bulls eye! This was absolutely the best jazz we've experienced in the Woods! Yes, we will have them back. Clubhouse 7 was packed as we got the treatment that Dr. Jazz promised.

5 Stars Is Not Enough… Everything here is perfect, the classes, the teaching, the mentoring, the networking and the performance opportunities. I have spent 5 years with this great organization and now I play in a professional band called "Midnight Martini" with two other former class members. Fantastic networking opportunities needed to create a musical group.

The City of Lake Forest is lucky to have a school of jazz in their backyard, every community should have a school like SoCal Jazz Academy. This is a fine way for the "Come Back Player" to build their chops and meet other musicians. For the parents considering this program, it's the perfect music school for your child. Dr. Karim and his professional team have an amazing program, our society could use more of. This is the real deal.

Thank you, Dr. Karim for your teaching and friendship! Horns Up