2024

AATS AWARD

Eli Yamin

The American Academy of Teachers of Singing is pleased to recognize Eli Yamin with a 2024 AATS Award ““in recognition of his leadership and excellence in youth jazz education.”

Eli Yamin is a brilliant jazz and blues pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, author, and vocalist, who makes teaching and learning jazz as joyful and creative as playing it.

Through Jazz Power Initiative, which he directs and co-founded, Dr. Eli works with kids, teens, and young adults along with the top jazz musicians in New York City and dance and theatre artists. His love of blues and jazz and his understanding of singing inspire youth to experience both throughout their lives. His enthusiasm about sharing jazz in all its expressions, particularly with youth, is unmistakable, and is truly a force for good in his community and the world.

Jazz Power Initiative was founded in 2003 to ignite the power of jazz arts education and transform lives by fostering self-expression, leadership, collaboration, and diversity. JPI currently serves over 3100 New Yorkers and visitors annually—students, teachers, artists, seniors, and general audiences, ages 8-80+, to promote youth development, and build more creative and inclusive communities through jazz music, theater and dance education and performance.

Eli Yamin has been spreading the joy of jazz through his work for 30 years, including 10 years as founding director of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Middle School Jazz Academy. https://eliyamin.com