About tHE aCADEMY
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Formed in 2023, Fertile Minds Jazz Academy brings beginner and intermediate jazz students together to improve, learn, and collaborate.
Our approach is rooted in the philosophy that learning music is not just about playing notes but understanding the artistry, history, and emotion behind the music.
Through interactive lessons, engaging community sessions, and a wealth of curated content, Fertile Minds Jazz Academy empowers students to become confident, expressive, and versatile jazz pianists.
What You'll Learn
- Jazz theory
- Improvisation techniques
- Live performance skills
- Jazz History
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Who Is This For?
Fertile Minds Jazz Academy is for anyone passionate about jazz piano and eager to grow in a supportive, interactive learning environment.
Meet The Founder
Khadijah Simon, who holds Grade 5 practical piano certification from ABRSM, is an Antiguan-born pianist, educator, and author who has exhibited a profound love for music since early childhood. This enduring passion has allowed her the opportunity to perform in Antigua, the USA, and the UK with musicians to include Larnell Lewis, Rich Brown, Vince McCoy, and Saadi Zain.
Her formal introduction to jazz is attributed to the late Bruce Skerritt, a pianist, educator, and composer from St. Kitts and Nevis. Under his mentorship, she learned various unique techniques that enhanced her abilities tenfold. She has also studied with Harry Likas, the technical editor for “The Jazz Piano Book,” a popular book for jazz pianists at all levels.
In 2024, Khadijah was sponsored by UNESCO to attend “Jazz Emprende” in Havana, Cuba, where she had the opportunity to learn and seek advice from prominent jazz musicians such as Robert Glasper, Aldo Mazza, and Derrick Hodge.
