About

Leadership & Vision

Youth Jazz International (YJI) was founded in 2022 by Cindy Lin Chew with the artistic guidance of acclaimed jazz violinist Scott Tixier. The initiative first began within the Chamber Music International Youth Ambassadors program, offering young string musicians an opportunity to learn the language of jazz and improvisation.

From the outset, the program was intentionally designed to help classically trained musicians navigate the transition into jazz. Scott Tixier’s teaching assistant, Jacob Cortez, played a foundational role in shaping this vision by developing the program’s first curriculum. He introduced classical players to the core principles of jazz improvisation, rhythmic language, and ensemble interaction, establishing the educational framework that would become the foundation of Youth Jazz International. Jacob now serves as Youth Jazz International’s Program Director, continuing to guide the program’s musical direction, curriculum development, and student ensembles.

Building on this foundation, Ciara Hager — classically trained at the Eastman School of Music — further expanded the curriculum in the program’s second season, deepening the learning pathway for students as they progressed in their jazz journey.

Supporting the program alongside them was Marijn Meijer, classically trained at the HKU Utrecht Conservatory in the Netherlands. Together, the coaches contributed musical arrangements and coaching, allowing students to work with artists who understood firsthand the challenges and creative possibilities of bridging classical training with jazz expression.

Marijn Meijer later became Youth Jazz International’s first Program Director, helping to shape the artistic vision, direction, and educational framework of the organization during its formative seasons.

What began as an experimental initiative quickly revealed a strong desire among young musicians for a space where improvisation, collaboration, and creative exploration were encouraged. In response to this growing enthusiasm, the program became an independent organization in 2023 and was renamed Youth Jazz International, reflecting its broader mission to cultivate the next generation of creative string musicians.

Today, Youth Jazz International serves as a unique platform where classically trained students learn to engage with jazz not only as a musical style, but as a mindset. Through improvisation and ensemble collaboration, students develop confidence, adaptability, and creative voice—skills that extend well beyond the stage.

Guided by the shared vision of founder Cindy Lin Chew and Artistic Sponsor Scott Tixier, Youth Jazz International continues to nurture young artists who listen deeply, create boldly, and carry the spirit of jazz forward.