How to Choose the Right Tuition Level for Your Family

One of the first things families often notice when registering for a class is our sliding scale tuition model. And one of the first questions we hear is: “What am I supposed to choose?” 

Sliding scale tuition is meant to remove barriers, not create confusion. In this post, we’re here to explain why sliding scale matters to us, and how we encourage families to choose a tuition level that truly works for their real life. 

Back in August 2025, we shared an article that explains why sliding scale tuition matters. If you’d like to read it, click here. The short version is simple: cost should never be the reason a student can’t pick up an instrument and play music.  

Choosing a tuition level isn’t just about income 

Sliding scale tuition has been a part of Seattle JazzED from the very beginning. Families’ circumstances look different, and those circumstances can’t be captured by a single number or income bracket. 

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that tuition choice should be based only on household income. But we know life is more complex than that. 

You might be: 

• Managing both childcare and eldercare expenses

• Paying off debt or student loans 

• Saving for retirement 

• Building an emergency fund 

• Managing medical expenses 

• Navigating rising rent and grocery costs

• Experiencing job changes or financial uncertainty 

So, when we say, “choose what works for your family,” we mean your whole family and your whole life. 

What we want families to do 

We want families to: 

• Know whatever you can pay is meaningful in supporting our community 

• Choose a tuition level that feels sustainable 

• Feel confident, not guilty, about their choice 

• Understand that there is no “wrong” level 

Standard tuition covers the cost of running our programs, including paying fair wages to our teaching artists. If paying standard tuition feels doable for your family right now, that support helps make our programs possible for others. The tuition levels above standard tuition are for families who want and are able to contribute more, helping offset costs for families who can't. 

Above all else, the most important thing is that your student gets to participate. 

What if you can’t pay anything right now? 

Families can choose a level that works for them, including paying less than standard. Payment plans are also available to help spread costs over the season.  

If paying tuition isn’t possible at this time, families can also request a no-tuition code during registration; no explanations are required. We trust you to know what your family needs. 

There are no separate programs and no differences in how students are treated. Every student receives the same high-quality instruction, care, and opportunity. 

If you can’t pay tuition right now, there are still ways to support JazzED.  

Some families ask how they can support JazzED during seasons when tuition isn’t possible. Here are a few meaningful ways: 

• Spread the word. Share our programs with friends, neighbors, teachers, band directors, or other families who might be looking for music opportunities. 

• Show up when you can. Attending performances, jamborees, or community events helps build a supportive environment for students. 

• Share your experience. A kind word, testimonial, or referral goes a long way in helping other families feel confident about joining. 

These forms of support help our community grow and matter just as much as financial contributions. 

All that said, choose the level that feels right to you right now. Life changes, and your choice can change too. 

We’re grateful you’re considering Seattle JazzED, and we’re excited to make music with your student. 

Changes to Tuition: Sales Tax Requirement Begins Winter 2026

Starting with Winter 2026 programs, Seattle JazzED will be required to charge sales tax on tuition, following a new Washington State law (ESSB 5814) that took effect on October 1. 

ESSB 5814 changes the state’s tax code to include youth arts education like music, theater, and dance, in the definition of “live presentations.” As a result, youth arts organizations across Washington state are now required to collect retail sales tax on class tuition. For JazzED families, this means sales tax will be applied to any tuition amount up to our standard tuition rate. 

As an organization, we recognize that this new law places an additional financial burden on families seeking arts education opportunities for their children, making access to music education more challenging for some. 

That’s why JazzED remains deeply committed to keeping our pay-what-you-can tuition model in place. This model ensures that no student is turned away due to cost. We hope families who can pay above the standard tuition, and community members who are able to make a contribution, will consider doing so to ensure no student is ever turned away due to cost.  

Affordability and access are at the heart of everything we do. We want families to know that while this new law affects how we process tuition, it doesn’t change our mission. Every young person who wants to play music at JazzED will still have that opportunity.

Liz Riggs Meder, Executive Director 

We will continue to work alongside arts advocacy organizations across Washington to ensure our legislators understand how such budget decisions impact access to the arts. 

Seattle JazzED remains steadfast in our mission: to make high-quality, joyful, and equitable music education available to every student who walks through our doors. 

“You Can Make It Your Own Way” - Gaby's JazzED Story

Each student who joins our programs brings a unique story.  

For Gaby, that story began with Seattle JazzED at the 2024 Summer Foundations Camp. She continued in Foundations through the school year and most recently joined our Second Line Project Camp. 

Gaby is deeply interested in all forms of art and dreams of becoming an artist. Alongside JazzED, she has studied piano and performed in numerous musical theatre productions with Missoula Children’s Theatre. She also dances flamenco and sings with Seattle Children’s Chorus.  

Her younger brother started with Seattle JazzED in early 2024. That’s how Gaby’s mom found out about the other classes we offer for students. At home, Gaby has always been surrounded by music. Her family enjoys many genres, but jazz holds a special place.  

Seattle JazzED seemed like the perfect place for Gaby to explore that interest. Adventurous by nature, Gaby never shies away from trying new things. Today, she plays piano and saxophone.  

“JazzED is fun, calming, and challenging,” says Gaby. Learning to play an instrument isn’t always easy because it requires time and dedication, but she gets a lot of joy from jazz. She loves how jazz can change with her mood. Sometimes it’s upbeat and energetic, sometimes bluesy and soulful, and sometimes smooth and calming. What excites her most is the freedom to improvise. “You can make it your own way,” she says. 

Playing in a band has also been a highlight of her experience. To Gaby, music feels more alive when everyone’s parts come together. This summer at our Second Line Project Camp, she marched with the band in the Torchlight Parade, a moment that made her feel part of something bigger than herself. 

That doesn’t mean everything came easily. At first, Gaby was nervous. Many of the campers were older, taller, and more experienced, and the music felt intimidating. She struggled with the music and learning the notes at first. 

But one of our interns noticed. During break, he asked her if she was having a difficult time with the music and spent the next couple of days at camp sitting with her and helping her through it. That kind of support, Gaby says, is what makes JazzED’s community different. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without the teachers.” 

Gaby keeps coming back to JazzED, stating how hard it is to find another program like this elsewhere. Not many organizations provide the freedom to play music without pressure, or the experience of playing as part of a band.  

Beyond her musicianship, she’s grown in other ways. She’s built friendships, learned how to keep going when things are hard, and developed a deep love for jazz. When she struggles with a piece of music now, she doesn’t give up, she persists. She says this helped her get through challenges more easily. 

When asked what advice she would give to new JazzED students, she encourages them to pick an instrument they love, ask for help when they need it, and most importantly, just enjoy the music. 

Looking ahead, Gaby sees herself continuing to play jazz.  

To Gaby, JazzED is more than just learning notes and rhythms. It’s a place to belong, a community to grow with, and a chance to find joy in music every single day. 

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Interview by Seattle JazzED Summer Intern, Denise Chang