Piano: Good idea to focus on Jazz at 7th Grade? (classic, performance)

[Forest_Hills_Daddy]

If an aspiring pianist would like to major jazz piano performance in college, does it make sense to take a structured approach to learning jazz and begin as early as 7th grade similar to the approach taken in classical music? Just noticed that some music pre college programs offer a jazz focus.

[JPD]

Yes. Start as early as possible.