Student Jazz Open Sessions

_{“Playing jazz is a process, rather than simply a style. Creating collectively develops essential tools—feel, timing, active listening, communication, and improvisation—that cannot be developed through individual practice alone.”   — Mary and Stephen Merriman}

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience hosting Jazz Open Sessions, Merrimans’ Playhouse is expanding this tradition through a new series for middle school, high school, and novice college musicians. This intimidation-free format provides a supportive space for peer learning, collaboration, and artistic risk-taking through playing, listening, experimenting, and working alongside experienced musicians.

Throughout the series, students will build repertoire and improvisational skills while learning how jazz musicians communicate and make musical decisions together. Experienced musicians will play alongside students, offering guidance, demonstrating concepts, and facilitating discussion. Rather than rehearsing toward a predetermined interpretation, students will learn how musicians collectively shape the music as it unfolds.

In a final live concert, students will put the collaborative tools and etiquette of jazz into practice. Far from an ordinary jam session, the Student Jazz Open Sessions offer hands-on experience in listening, responding, improvising, and creating democratically within a musical collective.

Credits

Merrimans’ Playhouse

Merrimans’ Playhouse is a nonprofit listening room and sonic art gallery in South Bend, Indiana, founded in 2006 by musicians Stephen and Mary Merriman with a mission to promote the art and education of jazz in the community. The artist-centered venue presents local, regional, national, and international jazz artists in an intimate environment dedicated to attentive listening and meaningful engagement with the music. Alongside its year-round concert programming, Merrimans’ Playhouse hosts weekly Jazz Open Sessions that bring musicians, students, and community members together to listen, learn, collaborate, and explore the creative process of jazz.

Discover Merrimans' Playhouse

Clinical Instructors

Stephen Merriman (drums), co-founder of Merrimans’ Playhouse, is a jazz drummer, piano tuner, and prominent cultural advocate based in South Bend, Indiana.

Mary Merriman (upright acoustic bass), co-founder of Merrimans’ Playhouse, is a jazz bassist and arts entrepreneur based in South Bend, Indiana.

Beyond the stage, Mary and Stephen own and operate Merrimans' Complete Piano Service, a local business focused on tuning and repairing pianos.

Titus Arko (piano) is a jazz pianist and composer, active in the South Bend-Elkhart region. Known for his versatile, expressive style, he leads his own jazz ensembles across the region.

Don Lerman (saxophone) is a saxophonist and South Bend native with extensive experience performing in small ensembles and big bands, including in the Washington, DC, area. His influences include Charlie Parker, Lee Konitz, Paul Desmond, Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, and Gerry Mulligan.

Andrew Fisher (vocals) is a vocalist, bandleader, podcast host, and music educator based in Southwest Michigan who performs and broadcasts throughout the broader regional area. Initially trained as a classical singer, his work with the Andrew Fisher Quartet focuses primarily on jazz standards, soul music, and creative reimagining of popular music.

Funding & Support

This is a partner program of the 2027 Notre Dame Arts Biennial, supported with funding from the Notre Dame Arts Initiative.

This project is also made possible with funding from Merrimans’ Playhouse and the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County.