Stacey Hoffman

Stacey Hoffman has been the Executive Director of Living Jazz since 1985. Since that time, she has consistently conceived of and launched a steady stream of jazz programs, many of which have become Bay Area treasures. Ms. Hoffman co-founded the organization originally to help save Jazz Camp from extinction, a faltering summer music program she had attended as a dance student in 1982. With her steadfast dedication and vision, Jazz Camp West has nearly quadrupled enrollment and become one of the leading jazz immersion programs in the country and throughout the world.

Once Jazz Camp was on solid footing, Ms. Hoffman, aware of the popularity of the all-camp Gospel choir offered at Jazz Camp each summer, conceived of and co-launched the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir in 1986. She managed this program until 1991, when it splintered off to become an independent organization. OIGC is now an internationally recognized touring and recording group.

Realizing the need for amateur and semi-professional jazz singers in the Bay Area to have a consistent platform in which to sing and perform vocal jazz, in 1992, Ms. Hoffman created the Oakland Jazz Choir. She remained the choir’s Executive Director until 2005. In 2006, OJC splintered off to become an independent organization, and is now a performing, touring, and recording jazz ensemble.

Ms. Hoffman was also pivotal in the creation of RhythmVoice and Jazz Camp Weekend, winter weekend intensives fashioned after Jazz Camp West held at Mills College from 1996 through 2001, which provided access to leading jazz artists for students of all ages and skill levels.

In 2002, Ms. Hoffman created “In the Name of Love” the Annual Musical Tribute Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. held annually in Oakland on the eve. of MLK day. This event remains Oakland’s only non-denominational musical tribute to King, and has become a pivotal civic and cultural event for the East Bay, bringing together top jazz entertainers, public school children, archival footage of Dr. King, a keynote address by a prominent civic leader and the presentation of the Annual Oakland Citizen Humanitarian Award.

In 2005, Ms. Hoffman created the Oakland Children’s Community Choir, a public school music project that brings high quality music education, completely free of charge, to Oakland elementary schools chosen for the diversity of the population and the lack of cultural funding.

Approximately 250 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders have access to weekly music lessons during the regular school day under the direction of Melanie DeMore and accompanist Ben Heveroh over a 4-month period. The OCCC culminates in a high profile showcase and several
in-school assemblies.

In 2008, Ms. Hoffman designed and launched Jam Camp West, a music, dance and vocal camp for youth ages 10-15. Fashioned after Jazz Camp West, Jam Camp strives to leave a lasting mark on its participants through an equally creative and inspirational experience that focuses on encouragement and support in a stunning natural environment.

Besides her role as Executive Director for Living Jazz, Ms. Hoffman also works as a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Berkeley, CA. Through the cross over of theses two fields, she has developed workshops in Performance Anxiety which she has taught at Jazz Camp West, the Jazz School in Berkeley, the Stanford Jazz Workshop Vocal Program, and the Young Musician’s Program at UC Berkeley.

Through her love of the arts, commitment to Living Jazz and dedication to her work, Ms. Hoffman has been responsible for bringing literally thousands of people together, fostering a sense of inspiration and community within the Bay Area's jazz scene.

About Living Jazz

Stacey Hoffman