The all-string Lynnwood High School Contemporary Orchestra kicked off the day at the Edmonds Masonic Hall with high-energy jazz performed on instruments more typical of a symphony orchestra. (Photos by Larry Vogel)The Lynnwood High School Contemporary Orchestra cello section rounds out the orchestra.Some of the dedicated Edmonds School District music teachers who make it happen. (L-R): Lynnwood HS Band Director Phil Onishi; Edmonds-Woodway HS Choral Director Charlotte Reese; EWHS Band Director Jake Bergevin; Jeff Horenstein, director of Meadowdale HS Impressions and Edmonds College Soundsation.The Alderwood Middle School Jazz Band directed by Heidi Davis.The sax and trumpets of the Alderwood Middle School Jazz Band.The Maplewood K-8 Jazz Band under the direction of Lance Ellis.The Maplewood K-8 Jazz Band takes the stageThe combined College Place Middle School and Meadowdale Middle School choirs perform under the direction of Charlotte Reese.Director Jeff Horenstein introduces the Meadowdale High School ImpressionsThe Meadowdale High School Impressions take the stage.The College Place Middle School Jazz Band under the direction of Kate Labiak.The College Place Middle School Jazz Band performs with gusto.The Edmonds-Woodway High School Mello-Aires under the direction of Charlotte Reese.The Edmonds Woodway High School Mello-Aires trio.The Meadowdale Middle School Jazz Band under the direction of Lindsay Dustin.Director Lindsay Dustin leads the Meadowdale Middle School Jazz Band.The Edmonds College Soundsation Choir directed by Jeff Horenstein takes the stage.Director Jeff Horenstein coaxes the high notes out of the Soundsation choir.The Brier Terrace Middle School Jazz Band is directed by former Mountlake Terrace HS jazz musician Andrew Sumabat.Director Andrew Sumabat pulls a high-energy finale out of the Brier Terrace Middle School Jazz Band.
For the 25th year, the Edmonds Daybreakers Rotary has pulled out the stops to bring “all that jazz” to downtown Edmonds in the annual Edmonds Jazz Connection. The event showcases our community’s uber-talented student musicians – many of whom have performed at prestigious jazz competitions nationwide – and the dedicated teachers who help them discover, develop and nurture their talents, all in a non-competitive environment.
This year’s Jazz Connection hosted 21 jazz bands and choirs at the Edmonds Masonic Hall and eight small combo improv jazz groups in the Edmonds Theater.
Edmonds-Woodway High School Combo opens the morning program.Saxophonist from Meadowdale High School. (Photos by Misha Carter)Meadowdale High School Combo play tribute to musician Herbie Hancock.Meadowdale High School trumpeter gets into the groove.Madrona Middle School drummer hits a beat.Madrona Middle School fires up the audience.Sax soloist from Edmonds-Woodway High School green team.Edmonds-Woodway High School Combo green team.Edmonds-Woodway HS drummer.Piano soloist from EWHS shows his stuff.The Edmonds-Woodway Jazz Band 2 performs at the Edmonds Masonic Center as part of the Edmonds Jazz Connection on Saturday May 9, 2026. (Photos by Joe Christian)
Edmonds-Woodway Jazz Band 1.Lynnwood Jazz Band 1.
Lynnwood Jazz Band 2.
Madrona Middle School Jazz Band.
Meadowdale HS Jazz Band.
Mountlake Terrace HS Jazz Band 2.
Mountlake Terrace HS Jazz Band 1.Edmonds Woodway Jazz Band 1.Edmonds Woodway Jazz Band 1.
A keynote feature of Saturday’s event was awarding six $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors, giving them a head start on realizing their higher education and career goals.
Funded by the Rotary, this year’s award recipients are:
Angel Hernandez, Lynnwood High School
Scholarship recipient Angel Hernandez plays varsity golf and tennis, volunteers in several community organizations and looks to fulfill his dream to be the first in family member to graduate from college. Hernandez plans to major in construction management. (L-R): Jamie Reece (Rotary), Hernandez, Lynnwood HS Band Director Phil Onishi. (Photos by Larry Vogel)
Ava Barias, Lynnwood High School
Ava Barias of Lynnwood High School receives a $2,000 Rotary scholarship. Barias is the captain of the tennis team, has served four years on student council and is a consummate community volunteer. She plans to study nursing at the University of Washington.
Naomi Aquino, Lynnwood High School
Rotary scholarship recipient Naomi Aquino plays in the Seattle and Cascade Youth Symphonies, and is a Tri-M volunteer. Aquino plans to continue education at Central Washington University with a major in music education.
Daniel Drapesa, Meadowdale High School
Daniel Drapesa of Meadowdale High School was the recipient of a $2,000 scholarship presented by Rotarian Jamie Reece.
Leslie Lopez-Castillo, Lynnwood High School
Lynnwood Jazz Band member Leslie Lopez-Castillo is presented a scholarship from Jamie Reece (left) of Edmonds Jazz Connection on 5-9-26. On the right is her band director Phillip Onishi. (Photos by Joe Christian)
Simon Ussery, Lynnwood High School
Lynnwood Jazz Band member is presented a scholarship from Jamie Reece (left) of Edmonds Jazz Connection and his band director Phillip Onishi.
“Rotary has been presenting these scholarships for about the past 15 years,” said Rotarian Jamie Reece, who emceed the event and personally presented each award. “Our school music programs are nothing short of fantastic, and I’m pleased and proud that Rotary is able to continue the Jazz Connection tradition and be part of giving these talented young musicians a boost in pursuing their post-high school goals.”
Learn more about the Edmonds Jazz Connection here.
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