The students took their seats in Craft Auditorium. A grand piano, vibraphone, bass and guitar amp faced them. At the very left of the stage, a drum set layered with CHS insignias boldly contrasted the other instruments. This is where Tamir Hendelman and Tierney Sutton stood, quietly waiting to start the lesson. It is the second time the duo had come to CHS, but student anticipation was even higher than the first. The packed room silenced quickly, as CHS teacher Jack Wagner introduced the musicians and a masterclass that will be remembered for years to come.

By request, the masters stunningly played a song titled “Lush Life”. This was followed by a Q&A with curious students regarding the performance. Later, a total of three advanced jazz combos had the opportunity to perform in front of the legendary duo who provided constructive criticism on their playing.

Tamir Hendelman grew up playing the electric organ in Tel-Aviv, Israel. He started gigging when he was in elementary school with his playing styles ranging from classical, to pop, and even jazz. However, a big part of Hendelman’s success was due to his parents.

“When I told them [Hendelman’s parents] that I wanted to do it, they supported me right from the beginning,” Hendelman said. “One of the big focuses in our family is to do your own thing. Do what you love.”

At the age of 14, Hendelman moved to the United States, winning Yamaha’s keyboard competition.

In the decade leading up to the 2000s, he joined the Jeff Hamilton Trio and toured the world receiving numerous awards including the ASCAP award, a yearly competition featuring leading jazz musicians. At last, Hendelman met Sutton, starting a new era of collaboration.

“Back in LA, I was playing in various little places and there was a place that featured duos, and different vocalists would come in,” Hendelman said. “I believe that’s how I first met Tierney.”

Sutton grew up in Milwaukee in a non-musical family. She had been interested in music from an early age, but her exposure to jazz was limited until she got into college.

“I grew up in Milwaukee, and I didn’t have a lot of background in Jazz at all,” Sutton said. “I had a background in musical theater and sang in children’s choirs and stuff like that, but it wasn’t until college that I discovered jazz and fell in love with it.”

Since then, Sutton’s career has taken off with numerous performances resulting in accolades. She has also been an educator at the University of Southern Carolina’s Thornton School of Music for over a decade and is a master at teaching and giving musical advice.

“I think teaching music and especially jazz is this very, very interesting dance between individual responsibility and becoming one as a group,” Sutton said. “And that dance is kind of the core thing I think about when doing this kind of work. Having your own craft at a level that you can sublimate it and be influenced by other people in a group while still keeping your own self there.”

Even with their collective experience, the two masters were still impressed with CHS’s young musicians. They listened intently, coming up with eye-opening advice and critiques, while also fostering a love and respect for the students and their music.

“With each of the groups there was already so much happening,” Tamir Hendelman said. “We were just inspired by everybody’s commitment to this music which is a really great thing to see at this age individually. And as a whole school program. It’s a great thing what Jack Wagner is fostering with you all here.