The Utah Arts Festival will present the works of new up and coming jazz composers: Melanie Shore and Courtney Smith. Their pieces will premiere on Friday evening, June 27th at 8:30 pm on the Festival Stage.

Melanie Shore 

Melanie Shore started playing the piano at the age of 3, and has been playing professionally since she was 15 years old. She began her classical training at the age of 5 and continued until she was 18, winning numerous awards for performing and composing.

After high school, she attended Utah State University, where she studied jazz and played with the Crestmark Jazz Orchestra. After her two-year experience at USU, Melanie moved to Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Composition in 2005. She has received numerous jazz performance awards, including outstanding soloist at both the Reno and University of Northern Colorado jazz festivals. She also received an award for outstanding composer at the UNC Jazz Festival and was accepted into Stanford University’s Summer Jazz Program in 2004. She also entered the vocal jazz scene as an arranger, and made her debut at the International Association for Jazz Education Convention in New York City with Kelly Eisenhour’s Jazz Voices. She has performed all over the United States and has played at Radio City Music Hall and on The Today Show with the Rockettes.

Melanie is known for her versatility, and in addition to her classical accompanying and jazz performing, she has played for the touring Broadway shows Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby, Hairspray, and Sweet Charity. She can also be found in the popular music scene performing with various groups, including Acoustic Soul, Brian Booth Ensembles, and The Joe Muscolino Band. Melanie has been involved with the filming of Disney’s High School Musical and High School Musical 2 as a piano hand double. She is also active as a studio musician, teacher, composer, and arranger and has recently completed her Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Utah.

More info at www.myspace.com/melanieshore.

Courtney Smith

Courtney Smith is a student composer of the University of Utah in his senior year. He was born in 1983 to parents Shelley and Carolyn Smith. By age 3 he began to pick out chords on the piano and by the age of 8 he became organist for the Calvary Baptist Church with whom he continues to play to this day. He began to seriously study music at East High School under the leadership of Ken Green. After graduation he began his studies at the University of Utah in composition which he is currently undertaking.

Courtney is now studying composition with Dr. Morris Rozensweig but has also studied with Professor Henry Wolking (Head of the department of Jazz Studies), and Miguel Chuaqui (Professor of electro-acoustic music and counterpoint). He plans to graduate this year.

Snowbird Renaissance Center Residency Program 

The Festival is excited to partner with the Snowbird Renaissance Center to offer a residency for our Jazz Composers. Ms. Shore and Mr. Smith will be in residency at Snowbird from May 12 to May 18. A public lecture and performance will take place on Saturday, May 17th from 3-5 pm at the Cliff Lodge. 

The Snowbird Renaissance Center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance educational and cultural opportunities at Snowbird. We are pleased to partner with the Utah Arts Festival and The Music School at the University of Utah to support musicians who are dedicated to preserving America’s rich cultural heritage through their music.

The creation of the Snowbird Renaissance Center augments the lifelong vision of Snowbird Founder and Chairman, Dick Bass, and his dedication to the enhancement of body, mind and spirit. 

The Snowbird Renaissance Center’s 2008 event schedule includes the presentation of musical performances as well as educational classes and other activities that foster appreciation and excellence in the arts, sciences and humanities. In addition, the Snowbird Renaissance Center will assist in the preservation and beautification of our natural surroundings while providing the opportunity for physical development and recreation.

SRC will draw from deep in America’s musical history to bring the best of Americana music to beautiful Little Cottonwood Canyon. 

 Jazz Artists in Residency @ Snowbird Renaissance Center Poster 

Complete information and event schedules are available online at online at snowbirdrc.org.

Utah Arts Festival Jazz Masters Awards

This award recognizes the outstanding achievement and significant contributions of an established Utah native or resident for jazz performance, composition and education. The award acknowledges an individual who has excelled in his life-long contribution to the creation, understanding and teaching of jazz. The Award honors an individual who leaves an indelible stamp on the history of jazz in Utah.

2007 - Bob Bailey

2006 - Laurence (Lars) M. Yorgason

2005 - Larry Smith

Jazz Commission Coordinator
Henry Wolking