During the February break, the upper school jazz band traveled to Orlando, Fla. with music teachers Dave Hart and Jaco Wong to participate in the Essentially Ellington Festival at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts.

The festival, organized by the New York-based organization Jazz at Lincoln Center, offered students opportunities to attend masterclasses for their respective instruments (such as those held by drummers Jason Marsalis and Steve Fidyk) and play in jam sessions with students in attendance from other schools.

Students also performed for panels of clinicians and judges, who presented senior Miki Mitarai with the award for Outstanding Vocalist and junior Elena Weng with the Outstanding Pianist award. During their free time, the entire group headed to local attractions such as Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center.