Pacific Jazz Ambassadors

Pacific Jazz Ambassadors are a jazz combo comprised of students pursuing a three-year Accelerated Bachelor of Music Honors Degree in Jazz Studies at the Conservatory of Music. This opportunity is open to five high school graduates who are exceptionally talented and motivated jazz musicians.

The Ambassadors study with Pacific's Jazz Studies' faculty, visiting jazz educators, artists, clinicians and other music professionals while working towards obtaining their undergraduate degree at University of the Pacific. They perform extensively locally, throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Performances

The Ambassadors represent our institution and exemplify excellence of musical education at Pacific. Regular international performances are a primary component of the Ambassadors' education. They also play locally and at national jazz venues and events such as:

The Monterey Jazz Festival
Jazz at Lincoln Center
CASMEC
JEN Conference
Seattle Jazz Experience and other

Educational Opportunities

The Ambassadors take group classes and have individual lessons, participate in group rehearsals and coaching, as well as in discussions with visiting artists and clinicians. They work in the on-campus recording studio producing at least one recording project each year.

Visiting Artists & Clinicians

Collaboration with the visiting professional artists and clinicians is a high priority. This engagement may include private lessons, rehearsal and coaching, special topic discussions, and sessions on professional career development. Frequently, the visiting artists share the stage performing with the Ambassadors.

Dave Brubeck
Carl Allen
Donald Brown
Dee Daniels
Taylor Eigsti
Eric Harland
Jimmy Heath
Vincent Herring
Fred Hersch
Conrad Herwig
Freddie Hubbard
Gregory Hutchinson
Ingrid Jensen
Geoffrey Keezer
Wynton Marsalis
Bennie Maupin
Christian McBride
Bobby Militello
Mulgrew Miller
Lewi Nash
Nicolas Payton
Chris Potter
Joshua Redman
Rufus Reid
Reuben Rogers
Edward Simon
Mary Stallings
Helen Sung
Greg Tardy
Bobby Watson
Jeff "Tain" Watts
Steve Wilson
Miguel Zenon

How to apply and audition

Conservatory Admission Requirements

Apply Now

Pacific Jazz Ambassador 2024-25

Mike Belasco

Michael Belasco is a guitarist from Manilla, Philippines, where he started playing in high school. Heavily influenced by jazz, blues, R&B, and soul, Belasco studied classical guitar while also performing with the Delta Jazz Ensemble and Delta Jazz Combo at San Joaquin Delta College. He has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival as well as with various musical groups in the Sacramento and Bay Areas. His musical influences include Wes Montgomery, B.B. King, Joe Pass, Ella Fitzgerald, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Django Reinhardt, Stevie Wonder and Pat Martino. He hopes to pursue a career in performing and teaching.

Pacific Jazz Ambassador, Michael Belasco

Pacific Jazz Ambassador 2024-25

Joseph Evans

Joseph Evans is a drummer from Stockton. His passion for drumming started at the age of three, and by high school, he developed an interest in jazz. Under the mentorship of drummer Matthew Smith Gentry and pianist Randy Sandoli, Evans honed his skills and deepened his love for the genre. He has had the privilege of performing with notable artists such as Glen Zaleski and Aubrey Logan, and went on tour in Paris with up and coming artist JoDavi. Evans has played on 12 albums and will be releasing his debut EP in 2025.

Guest Artists

Marwan Ghonima

Marwan Ghonima '24 plays upright and electric bass. He graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX. His background is in jazz, blues, R/B, gospel and hip-hop. He believes that all genres of music are equally important art forms and he hopes to master as many as possible to become a diverse musician. Marwan also values the art of arrangement and composition planning to pursue a career in music directing for events, shows and tours. His biggest influences include Quincy Jones, Christian McBride, Kanye West, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Gil Evans, Hiatus Kaiyote, J Dilla, Fred Hammond, Jaco Pastorius, and Herbie Hancock.

Pacific Jazz Ambassador 2023-25

Aimee MacDonald

Aimee MacDonald '26 is a saxophonist and doubler from Houston, TX, where she graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Aimee has performed at the TMEA convention as an All-State band member, Dizzy’s Club as a featured performer with the Jazz Houston Youth Orchestra, the JEN conference with the HSPVA Jazz Combo 1 as a featured ensemble, and the Jazzaldia and Jazz at Marciac festival with Pacific Jazz Ambassadors. She has also been honored with awards such as the YoungArts merit award and the Berklee Five-Week Jazz and Gender Justice scholarship. Her musical influences include Lee Konitz, Cannonball Adderly, Dick Oatts, Bill Evans and Thelonious Monk.

Pacific Jazz Ambassador 2023-25

Leo Milano

Leo Milano '26 is a Chicago-based tenor saxophonist. He has been a part of various ensembles including the Peer-to-Peer All-Star Quintet sponsored by the Herbie Hancock Institute (2022-23), the Ernest Dawkins Young Master Ensemble and the Chicago Symphony Youth Orchestra. He is also affiliated with organizations such as the Jazz Institute of Chicago and Live The Spirit Residency. Milano continues to study and work as a performer and sideman through the United States.