About | Jazzarts

About CCJA

The Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (CCJA) is a unique non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth to creatively express themselves through the language of America's art form - jazz.

About US

Passionate about their vision of creating unique jazz program for teens, Paul and Christine Romaine founded CCJA in late 1999 as a partnership. Six students registered for the first small group session, where they met weekly during the school year and played and performed in a small jazz group under the guidance of a professional jazz musician mentor. The program continued to grow, and in March of 2003, CCJA became a Colorado non-profit, and in early 2004 was granted 501(c)(3) status. The original “Small Group Program” has expanded to several locations across the Front Range including Denver - where CCJA is headquartered - Boulder County, and Fort Collins. Today, CCJA serves over 100 students in its programs throughout the academic year and in the summer and in the 20 years since its inception, CCJA has served several thousand teenagers, many of whom have gone on to forge successful careers as jazz artists or carry a deep appreciate for jazz with them into adulthood.

Since CCJA's origins, programming expanded to include: a summer day-camp (Jazz Boot Camp), the CCJA Summer Institute, a sleep-away jazz camp in Colorado's Sangres de Cristo Mountains, vocal jazz programs, programming encouraging the participation of more young women in jazz , the CCJA Big Bands, the CCJA Street Band, outreach programs to area public schools, expanded public performances, guided public youth jam sessions, jazz workshops, a peer-mentoring program, a recording and music industry program, and an early childhood music education program, KinderBop. When the Covid-19 pandemic began, CCJA began offering free online enrichment series including "Digging Deeper" - an online topic-based masterclass series led by CCJA Faculty Members - and "CCJA Sundays," which bring our global community free interviews with the best jazz artists and industry pros in the world.

Over the past two decades, CCJA student groups have performed for tens of thousands of people with the intention of making jazz - America’s treasured art form - relentlessly relevant. All of CCJA's programming is directed by accomplished professional jazz musicians who continue to pass on their extensive knowledge, experience, and wisdom to the next generation. Whether students go on to play professionally or for enjoyment, their lives are enriched and their self-expression empowered by their participation in CCJA’s programs.

CCJA does not discriminate against any person or organization based on age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, native language, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, gender, veteran status, military status, political service, affiliation or disability.

Staff

CCJA Staff

Our staff is passionate about offering the most excellent and accessible jazz educational programming and mentoring for our community. Feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or suggestions for our organization.

Chris Romaine, Executive Director

As the Executive Director of CCJA, Ms. Romaine provides executive leadership and manages its daily operations. She wears many hats in this position and relies on a passion for jazz and youth, a varied background, a love of learning, and resourcefulness to do so. Ms. Romaine participates with the Artistic Director, the Board, Program Assistants, and Faculty in planning and establishing program policies, objectives, and priorities as well as directing the development of CCJA’s strategic action and fundraising plans.

Ms. Romaine received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Public Policy from the University of Denver, where she also minored in music at the Lamont School of Music. She later received her secondary teaching certification, and taught Social Studies (and some music) in Cherry Creek public schools for five years. Chris was then bit with the entrepreneurial bug she grew up with, and started a tea shop/restaurant/mail order/catering business which she ran with her mother and sister until its sale in 1999. As soon as it was sold, she and Paul decided to give their idea for a jazz education program a try, and CCJA (the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts) was born. There seemed to be a need for CCJA in the community, and it continued to grow to the point that it made sense to change it to a non-profit organization, and bring in a board, volunteers, and more people from the community. As it turns out, Ms. Romaine finds that her personal experience of finding her voice through jazz as a teen and her teaching background, combined with the real-life lessons and experiences of owning a business, serve her well in her position as Executive Director.

chris@jazzarts.org

Paul Romaine, Artistic Director

Paul Romaine has led, recorded, or performed with countless combinations of the Denver area’s best players and with internationally acclaimed artists such as Eddie Harris, Benny Golson, James Moody, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Heath, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Chris Potter, Christian McBride, Roberta Gambarini, Peter Bernstein, Larry Goldings, Houston Person, Charlie Rouse, Eddie Gomez, Bobby Watson, Jack McDuff, Clark Terry, and the Woody Herman Orchestra. Paul plays with numerous groups including Convergence, The Ken Walker Sextet, Big Swing Trio, the Jazz Worms, and Peter Sommer Septet, where he also writes and has recorded critically acclaimed CD’s.

Paul has served on the music faculty at the University of Colorado at Boulder since 2005, and also taught at MSU Denver. As a clinician he experienced the power of mentoring, and together with his wife Chris, he developed a unique vision for jazz education, and co-founded the non-profit Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. As the Artistic Director, he has developed unique programs for students of all ages throughout Colorado who play together and study with professional musicians. Paul was honored to receive a Presidential Scholars Program Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education.

paul@jazzarts.org

Ann Bowar, Development Associate

Ann Bowar has been a CCJA parent for many years, her four sons having participated in the program on piano, percussion, bass and saxophone. During this time, she also served on CCJA's Board of Directors, performing the roles of Vice President and Secretary. After finishing her 6th and final year on the board, Chis & Paul invited her to join the staff to expand CCJA's engagement and development efforts. Ann is delighted to continue her involvement with CCJA, and looks forward to helping grow the support for CCJA's programs so the organization can continue to foster jazz education and appreciation for many years to come!

Ann's career has revolved around marketing and education. Prior to joining CCJA, she worked at the University of Denver, as a student advisor at Korbel School for International Studies and as an events and external engagement manager in the Daniels College of Business. She started her career in the NYC area, doing marketing for Berlitz International and American Express. She has an MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern and a BA in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame.

ann@jazzarts.org

Jonathan Zimny, Program Coordinator

Jonathan Zimny is a trombonist, vocalist, composer, and educator from Sacramento, California. Raised by two band directors, he has loved and been deeply involved with music from a very young age.

He moved to Colorado in 2010 to attend the University of Northern Colorado where he received his BM in Jazz Studies. While there, Zimny studied with Dr. Nat Wickham and performed with UNC Jazz Lab Band 1 under the direction of Dana Landry. During his time with Lab 1, the band received the best graduate jazz ensemble award from Downbeat magazine. Zimny later finished his master’s degree in 2018 at the University of Colorado, Boulder with an MM in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy where he studied with Paul McKee.

Zimny has performed with a multitude of artists in Denver and California, including Nostal-Jazz and the Denver Jazz Orchestra, and can be heard of the song “Faith” recorded for the popular motion picture Sing. He has also taught low brass for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, and is currently in the Broncos Stampede Brass Band and the Avalanche Celly Squad.

Jonathan has worked for CCJA since 2018 teaching middle school combos and big bands, and helps put on programs such as Jazz Boot Camp, Jazz in the Sangres, the CCJA Street Band, and Denver Day of Jazz.

jonathan@jazzarts.org

Domi Edson, Program Coordinator

Domi Edson is an award winning bassist, composer, and arranger originally from Seattle, WA. She graduated with a B.A. in Classical Bass Performance from Central Washington University in 2019 and received a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado in 2021.

Domi leads her own group the Domi Edson Trio, which in addition to having 2 albums (the second of which is being released in September 2022), have performed at Dazzle, Nocturne, The Muse, Frankie’s Jazz Club (Vancouver, Canada), The Royal Room (Seattle), Boxley’s (North Bend, WA), KUVO, Five Points Jazz Festival, and other locations across the Front Range and the Pacific Northwest. As a sidewoman, Domi has performed with Terrell Stafford, Charles McPherson, Greg Gisbert, Dawn Clement, Gayelynn McKinney, and many more. In addition to her performance career, Domi is also a passionate educator. She has served as president or vice president on Jazz Education Network student chapter boards at both CWU and UNC and founded and organized both Universities’ Women in Jazz Day festivals.

domi@jazzarts.org

Jake Alvarez, Program Coordinator

Jake Alvarez is a passionate eductor, performer, and multi-instrumentalist based out of sunny Denver, Colorado. Having picked up guitar at the age of five, his love for music only continued to grow as his undying passion for music was fostered by the educators he had the privilege of studying under in his youth, and early adult life. Studying under the stellar tutelage of the multitude of world class instructors at the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz arts from 2007-2012, he now teaches for, and is the Marketing Coordinator for the Conservatory. The education in music that he recieved there allowed him the opportunity to attend the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, which led to him being able to perform at several notable jazz clubs in the area, and even for international dignitaries such as former Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Currently a member of the Diamond Empire wedding band, studio musician for Third and James Record Label, and a musician who plays with a multitude of other ensembles and projects in the Denver-Metro area; Jake is always trying to branch out and breach new musical boundaries. Should you ever need instruction on guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, songwriting and composition, or electronic music production; look no further. Jake will help you find the sound that you are looking for!

jake@jazzarts.org

Allison Young, Marketing Coordinator

Allison Young is a musician, educator, and arts marketer currently based in Denver. She performs in both jazz and classical realms as a saxophone player and woodwind doubler, and enjoys collaborating with musicians in a variety of styles. Allison performs locally as a bandleader and sidewoman for groups such as the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, the Annie Booth Big Band, the Drew Zaremba Jazz Fellowship Orchestra, and the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra. Recently, she also toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the Reed 5 chair, playing baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet. She has performed alongside musicians such as Dick Oatts, Jeff Hamilton, Wayne Bergeron, Greg Gisbert, Randy Brecker, Tia Fuller, Terell Stafford, and even alternative/indie artist Father John Misty. Allison has recorded with the Zaremba Fellowship Orchestra, Ted Davies Big Band, and the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, all with records out now. In 2022, Allison was one of 20 mentees selected for the Women in Jazz Mentorship Program, where she was mentored by saxophonist Caroline Davis and collaborated with talented young female and non-binary musicians across the country.

Allison earned her Bachelors of Music degree in Music Business from the University of Northern Colorado in May of 2022 where she studied saxophone with Dr. Andrew Dahlke and Marc Schwartz. As an educator, Allison runs her own private studio and frequently works with local middle school and high school band programs hosting workshops and masterclasses, including for the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts (CCJA) in Denver. She is currently the Marketing and Communications Assistant for the Burroughs as an employee of Harris Artist Management, a boutique management firm run by local musician and industry powerhouse Briana Harris. Allison also works on the marketing team at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, where she works with a talented, internationally connected team and nationally recognized artists.

allison@jazzarts.org

Board Members