The Full Program
Every seminar, workshop, tour, and demonstration at All Jazzed Up, with who’s teaching it and what to expect. For the day-by-day timeline, see the Schedule page.
All twelve seminars are open to every registered attendee at no extra cost. Seating is limited to the room, so arrive a few minutes early for popular topics.
Bonsai is usually taught with strict rules and geometric proportions, but nature does not always follow those patterns. In this seminar, international artist Jennifer Price shares a natural approach to bonsai design. She draws on her experience as a professional ballerina to explore line, balance, and movement. You will learn how to move beyond rigid styles and pay attention to the tree itself, working with its natural movement to create a living sculpture that feels expressive, lively, and free.
Bougainvillea is a favorite at shows, bringing a stunning burst of color to any bonsai collection. Although rewarding to grow, this tropical plant has unique horticultural requirements that can be tricky to meet. This intensive seminar demystifies bougainvillea, covering how to start new plants, what they need to grow, and how to shape and style them as bonsai. You will pick up key tips on watering, fertilizing, and dealing with pests to keep your plants healthy. To bring these concepts to life, this session features a PowerPoint presentation showcasing many of Boyd’s celebrated “Bougies” through their development, with detailed progression photos. Whether you want to improve your care routine or work on your design skills, this seminar has something for you.
Every great bonsai starts with a simple idea. Turning that idea into a living masterpiece takes patience and a clear plan.
In this lecture, you will learn about a helpful tool based on the 10 main stages of bonsai development. Knowing which stage your bonsai is in helps guide your care. Everything from fertilizing and pruning to choosing soil and potting depends on the tree’s current stage.
When you know your bonsai’s stage, you can make better choices about what to do next. This helps you work more efficiently and see better results. By learning to do the right things at the right time, you will grow a mature bonsai in the most satisfying way.
Building and shaping branches and foliage pads is central to bonsai art. Along with the trunk line, these features define the tree’s character and energy.
In this session, Mauro will show how to create foliage pads that add depth and harmony. He will also discuss strategies and techniques for building a strong apex that will give your bonsai a striking focal point.
He will guide you through the differences in shaping foliage pads and apices between conifer and deciduous trees, so you can leave with a clear idea of how to improve your bonsai skills.
When we think of bonsai, we often turn our attention to Japan. But, the art originated in China, and there is a rich tradition of cultivating miniature trees and numerous regional styles that has evolved across Asia, creating a rich tapestry of living art. Join Houston-area artist and National Champion Dr. Hoe Chuah for this bonsai travelogue and take a virtual walkabout of some of the most beautiful and provocative penjing gardens in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
This seminar includes a lecture with slides and a live demonstration. Together, we will look at how wild grasses, wildflowers, and native plants are arranged to create living, ever-changing miniature landscapes. Kusamono, which means “grass thing” in Japanese, is a unique art form. Over time, it has grown from being a standalone piece to also serving as an accent plant for bonsai, called “shitakusa”. During the presentation, you will learn about different styles, design ideas, seasonal display tips, and how to care for both kusamono and shitakusa. We will focus on how to pair accent plants with specific bonsai trees for a unified look. You will also find out about the best placement for shitakusa next to bonsai, how many plant species to use, height guidelines, where to place each plant, and how to achieve a pleasing design. This seminar is great for bonsai lovers, gardeners, or anyone interested in Japanese plant art.
Join renowned Puerto Rican bonsai artist Pedro Morales as he reveals methods for building stunning, large-scale artificial rock landscapes. In this visually rich seminar, Pedro will share his step-by-step process for building realistic mountains and stones using polyurethane, fiber, cement, and grout. Throughout his detailed photographic journey, attendees will see the entire creation unfold, from the initial carving and shaping to the final texturing and finishing touches. Whether you’re looking to create a dramatic penjing display or enhance your bonsai compositions with convincing rocky outcrops, this session offers helpful guidance on mastering the construction of artificial landscapes for bonsai.
Repotting our trees is one of the most important things we do. Because we don’t usually repot every year, it matters even more when we do. Instead of rushing through the process and simply changing the soil, use a checklist to ensure your bonsai gets the best possible care. Explore the essentials of a successful repot—from selecting the perfect pot size and style to mastering secure wiring, troubleshooting root issues, correcting the potting angle, and showcasing the base. Join us to fine-tune your technique and keep your trees looking and growing their best!
Bonsai display is more than just arranging objects; it is about creating a feeling. In this presentation, Kristy Majeske looks at how masculine and feminine energies show up in Japanese hanging scrolls and how these qualities can make a bonsai display more visually and emotionally powerful.
Using examples from traditional scroll paintings, symbolism, and bonsai aesthetics, participants will see how line, movement, subject, composition, and mood all add to a display’s message. The class will look at the symbols in scrolls and discuss how these can match a tree’s personality and character.
By learning about these artistic relationships, bonsai enthusiasts can go beyond basic seasonal pairings and start making displays that share a stronger sense of harmony, story, and emotional connection.
Suthin Sukosolvisit, known for growing some of the country’s best award-winning Japanese Black Pines (Pinus thunbergii), will lead a hands-on masterclass on this classic bonsai tree. In this seminar, Suthin will explain the key techniques for growing and caring for healthy, strong black pines. You will learn about the full yearly care routine, including basic styling, careful pruning, wiring, and the detailed process of needle reduction. The session also covers important care tips, such as the best ways to fertilize, regular maintenance, and how to prevent pests and diseases. Whether you are working with an older tree or starting with a young one, this seminar gives you a chance to learn directly from a true expert.
Not really certain how to correctly wire? Feel no shame! Wiring is an essential, foundational skill that is very often not well mastered by beginners and intermediate hobbyists alike. This interactive seminar offers an excellent, judgment-free opportunity to practice your technique and build real confidence. Under expert guidance, you will learn the core mechanics of applying aluminum wire safely and effectively to achieve beautiful branch placement. Practice branches and aluminum wire will be fully provided, though participants are also welcome to bring a tree from home to work on if preferred. Whether you are looking to learn the basics from scratch or refine your existing skills, this hands-on session is the perfect place to elevate your bonsai practice.
If you reduce pests and control diseases during the dormant season, you will face far fewer problems in the spring. This leads to healthier trees and less need for harmful pesticides and fungicides during the growing season — a good thing — and a far lower impact on the beneficial insects we’d like to encourage in our garden. In this discussion, Dr. Barboza will explain what dormant season spraying is and how he uses it to prevent issues in his own collection during spring.
Trident maple (Acer buergerianum) is a top choice among deciduous bonsai species, known for its fast growth, quick healing, and beautiful fall colors. The trees for this workshop have been carefully grown in the field and have thick trunks, a wide base (nebari), and lots of healthy leaves ready for shaping. They are ideal for practicing trunk chops, building main branches, and creating classic broom or informal upright styles. The workshop will be led by Suthin Sukosolvisit, a master with worldwide recognition for his skill with shohin and deciduous bonsai. Suthin will teach his proven methods for working with trident maples, including how to make bold structural decisions, choose the right nodes, and use advanced pruning to create fine branching and small leaves.
The bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a North American conifer valued in bonsai for its fast growth, soft feathery leaves, and ability to form large, fluted trunks with wide bases. It grows in swamps and has its own design style, changing from a cone shape when young to a flat-topped look as it matures. The trees in this workshop have straight trunks with natural taper and full canopies, making them ideal for bold first styling. The workshop is led by Randy Bennett, who has over 50 years of experience and wrote ‘Bonsai Design: Bald Cypresses’, a detailed guide focused on this species. Randy will share his knowledge to help you understand the bald cypress growth patterns, make important branch decisions, shape the top, and care for these trees.
The dwarf jade (Portulacaria afra), also called elephant bush, is a tough, beautiful succulent and a favorite in tropical bonsai. Its shiny green leaves, thick water-storing trunks, and fast growth help artists create a mature look much faster than with other plants. The workshop specimens are lush and well-grown, with dense canopies, thick trunks, and many branches. No matter what styling direction you take, these trees will be something you will be proud to have on your bench. Pedro Morales, a well-known expert and leader in tropical bonsai, will lead this workshop. He will use his years of experience to teach you how to style succulent bonsai, including tips on pruning, shaping branches, and caring for these hardy plants so they thrive year-round.
The foemina juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Foemina’) is prized in the bonsai community for its needle-like foliage, fast growth, and ability to develop refined pads. It suits strong, upright shapes or dramatic forest displays, unlike trailing types. The trees used in this workshop are healthy and full, with dense, layered branches and a central leader. These trees are ready for styling. Mauro Stemberger, respected for his energetic teaching and bold designs, will lead the workshop. He will show you how to work with this responsive species, covering advanced branch selection, wiring, and techniques for creating striking deadwood to reveal a classic bonsai look.
Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) is a fantastic choice to showcase deciduous bonsai. With an elegant broom shape, sawtooth leaves, and autumn colors ranging from golden yellow to burgundy, these trees make a striking impression. Our specimens are large and field-grown, with thick trunks, mature bark, and strong root bases that are rarely found in regular nursery stock. Because these trees offer so much potential, we have extended this workshop to 4 hours to give you plenty of time to work on your design. Leading the session is Suthin Sukosolvisit, a master with many awards and a reputation for his skill in creating wonderful deciduous bonsai. Suthin will walk you through choosing the trunk line, pruning major branches, and wiring the structure. By the end, you’ll have a beautiful, high-quality tree to be proud of.
The red maple (Acer rubrum) is a favorite native tree for creating impressive deciduous bonsai, with striking seasonal colors. The trees for this workshop have been carefully grown in the field, so they have thick trunks, strong taper, and well-developed radial roots (nebari) that would take many years to develop in a pot. Red maples respond well to pruning, producing fine branching and a stunning show of red leaves in autumn. Jennifer Price, an internationally recognized bonsai artist known for her expressive and natural style, will lead the workshop. She will show you how to turn field-grown trees into refined bonsai, offering advice on key structural decisions, bold styling, and the care needed to promote smaller leaves and stronger branch growth.
Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Kaori Hime’, or Kaori Hime tea olive, is a dwarf evergreen from Japan, gaining popularity for fine-scale bonsai. It has tiny, sharply detailed, holly-shaped leaves similar to tropical Singapore Holly, but stands out for its toughness, handling cold down to -5°F. In late fall and winter, it puts on a show with lots of small, white flowers that fill the air with a strong, sweet scent. Its young branches are very flexible, it backbuds well on old wood, and its new spring growth has a touch of burgundy. All of this makes it a great and rewarding choice for bonsai styling.
These 3-gallon workshop trees have been grown and pruned twice over the past two years, resulting in dense, multi-branched interiors and strong trunks. The workshop will be led by Pedro Morales, an internationally recognized bonsai expert. He will teach techniques for working with this evergreen, including how to choose branches, wire densely, and style the tree to highlight its compact shape and mature look.
For a bonsai with compact seasonal color, the Pocomoke crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Pocomoke’) is a great choice. Developed by the U.S. National Arboretum, this dwarf variety is known for its small, deep green leaves, colorful peeling bark, and bright pink to rose-red summer flowers. Unlike regular crepe myrtles, Pocomoke stays naturally compact and dense, making it perfect for small- to medium-sized bonsai. The trees for this workshop have twisty trunk bases and lots of branches, ready to be shaped. Dawn Koetting, a respected artist with a talent for styling deciduous and flowering trees, will lead the session. She will show you how to prune and wire your tree to highlight its trunk and help it bloom at its best.
Take your personal collection to the next level in this exclusive workshop with award-winning bonsai master Suthin Sukosolvisit. Bring a prized tree from your home bench that has hit a styling plateau, or bring raw material you just scouted from the convention vendor room, and Suthin will help you unlock its hidden potential. Renowned for his brilliant artistic vision, technical precision, and ability to see a masterpiece in any piece of stock, Suthin will work one-on-one with you to map out a clear, long-term design strategy. You will spend the session pruning, wiring, and refining your tree under his direct, master-level guidance.
Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is prized in bonsai for its small leaves, fine branching, and rapid growth. The selected trees for this workshop stand out with dramatic, low-trunk movement and deeply textured bark, giving them an aged look while remaining a manageable size. With plenty of healthy branches, they are ideal for practicing pruning, wiring, and shaping a refined canopy. Jennifer Price, a well-known artist, will lead the workshop and share her artistic approach to bonsai design. She will show you how to see beyond the foliage and find each tree’s natural, graceful line, teaching you to balance strong structure with delicate branch details. By the end, you’ll have a unique, fast-growing bonsai that will quickly show the results of your work.
A great bonsai deserves a container that highlights its character. In this hands-on workshop, ceramic artist Byron Myrick will show you the basics of building elegant slab pots. Instead of using a pottery wheel, Byron uses a clear, template-based method and offers several design templates with different wall shapes to suit your style. During the session, you’ll shape and refine your pot, then pick from Byron’s custom glaze samples to finish it. Afterward, Byron will take your pot to his studio for careful firing and glazing. He’ll ship your finished, gallery-quality pot to your door a couple of weeks later.
The Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) has fine foliage, eye-catching deadwood, and rough, weathered bark. Bonsai enthusiasts appreciate this tough native tree from the American Southwest. It is a great choice for creating a rugged, ancient-looking bonsai.
We are offering a private, interactive “demonstration-in-the-round” with world-renowned bonsai master Mauro Stemberger. With just 20 seats, everyone will get a close, front-row view of his work.
Mauro is known for his energetic style and hands-on teaching. He will work on this impressive juniper in a setting where you can interact with him directly. You can ask questions, discuss design ideas, and see advanced bonsai techniques up close.
This unique educational event is expected to sell out fast. After the session, Mauro’s finished bonsai will be auctioned during our live auction on Saturday night. Watch the demo, learn new techniques, share in Mauro’s artistic vision, and you might even take the tree home.
The water elm (Planera aquatica) is a native relative of true elms, popular among bonsai enthusiasts for its early-developing, mature bark. It grows well in wet conditions and has long, serrated leaves and flexible branches, making it easy and enjoyable to shape. The trees used in this workshop have strong trunks, good taper, and plenty of branches to help you create a realistic riverbank look. Evan Pardue, an artist with deep experience in native and wetland species, will lead the workshop. He will teach you his techniques for working with Water Elm, including how to choose and wire branches and how to care for the tree to encourage fast growth and striking bark.
Bonsai artists value Podocarpus macrophyllus, or Buddhist Pine, for its dark green, strap-like leaves and graceful, layered shape. These trees have been carefully grown in a nursery for years, developing thick trunks, mature bark, and strong branches that give you a great starting point for styling. Because these trees are large and have so much potential, we’ve made this special workshop four hours long, so you get an extra hour of hands-on design time. Acclaimed artist Jennifer Price, known for her artistic eye, will guide you as you choose branches, create depth, and wire your tree into a polished shape. This is a rare chance to work with high-quality material and expert guidance, and to take home a striking conifer bonsai.
The Brazilian Rain Tree (Chloroleucon tortum) is a striking tropical species often used in bonsai. Its delicate leaves fold up at night or when it rains. The tree naturally grows with twists, has deeply grooved trunks, and smooth grey bark that gives it an aged look. The trees in this workshop have great movement, strong roots, and a solid branch structure, ready for further shaping. You will learn from Pedro Morales, an international expert in tropical bonsai. With years of experience and a clear teaching style, Pedro will show you how to prune, wire, and care for your rain tree so it stays healthy and looks its best. By the end, you’ll have a lively tropical bonsai to add to your collection.
Bring your most challenging material, your favorite specimen, or a fresh find from the convention marketplace to style with international bonsai sensation Mauro Stemberger. Famous worldwide for his dramatic, highly expressive styling and dynamic use of wire, Mauro is a master at creating powerful, naturalistic silhouettes. In this interactive session, Mauro will evaluate your tree’s unique strengths, help you overcome structural hurdles, and push your design boundaries. Under his high-energy, expert tutelage, you will transform your material and master advanced techniques you can take home to the rest of your bench.
Join us as we explore the Lac des Allemands Swamp by airboat and see what makes Louisiana unique for bonsai lovers. We’ll travel through the swamp, cross the marsh, and head into the cypress forest on a high-performance, U.S. Coast Guard-approved airboat. You might spot hawks, herons, egrets, alligators, and sometimes even bald eagles along the way. Randy Bennett, who literally “wrote the book” on growing bald cypress trees as bonsai, will be with us to share tips on collecting, natural growth patterns, developing knees, and other interesting facts about this amazing native species.
The tour begins at a family-run business about 30 minutes southwest of the hotel. We’ll take you to a peaceful fishing village where life moves at a slower pace. Your guides are U.S. Coast Guard captains who grew up on the bayou and have spent their lives fishing for alligators, crabs, and shrimp. They know the marsh’s ecology inside and out.
We’ll leave the hotel at 9:30 am and return around 1:00 pm, traveling together on a 15-passenger van. There will be plenty of time to clean up and share your adventure at the reception!
Four artists, four trees, styled live and side by side at the DoubleTree Ballroom. All four finished trees are auctioned at Saturday’s Banquet.
Shimpaku juniper is celebrated throughout the bonsai world for its tight, vibrant green foliage and incredible design versatility. This spectacular specimen features a beautifully twisted trunk with wonderful movement from the base, supporting a dense, expansive canopy. There is abundant healthy growth here, offering a wealth of creative possibilities.
We are excited to welcome the well-known Suthin Sukosolvisit to our main Friday night event, “Friday Night LIVE!” Suthin is recognized for his skill and clear teaching style. During this demonstration, he will share his main design ideas, focusing on how to use the tree’s natural shape. Instead of focusing on heavy deadwood, he will show how to carefully choose branches and create strong, elegant foliage pads that give the tree a classic, mature look.
If you want to improve your wiring skills or learn how to layer a canopy the right way, watching Suthin work on this tree is a great way to start your weekend. The finished tree will be up for sale at the live auction and awards ceremony on Saturday night. This is your chance to bring home a special part of the convention.
The native water elm (Planera aquatica) grows well in wetlands and swamps, and bonsai artists value it for its textured bark and strong, resilient growth. This yamadori specimen, with its rugged character and natural lines, offers Jennifer an exciting opportunity for a dramatic, creative styling.
Jennifer will share her artistic approach and design choices as she studies the tree and develops its design. Watch as she uses advanced techniques to bring out the tree’s natural character and create a bold, naturalistic bonsai.
Along with all the Friday Night LIVE! demonstration trees, Jennifer’s finished water elm will be auctioned at the Saturday Banquet, Auction & Awards Ceremony, giving you the opportunity to bid on a unique native bonsai and take home a piece of Friday Night LIVE!
The trident maple (Acer buergerianum) is a standout for bonsai enthusiasts, with strong, flared roots, rapid growth, and vibrant seasonal color. This nursery-grown tree has a great trunk shape and sturdy branches, making it ready for an impressive transformation.
We’re excited to complete our “Friday Night LIVE!” lineup with the internationally recognized bonsai master Pedro Morales. Alongside Suthin and Mauro, Pedro will share his years of experience and energetic teaching style as he works on this beautiful deciduous tree. You’ll get to see him assess the tree’s structure, choose the main branches, and carefully shape and wire it into a refined form.
Trident maples need a very different design approach than conifers, so Pedro’s demonstration will be a great contrast to the evening’s work with junipers. Watch how a master shapes a classic deciduous tree under the lights. Pedro’s finished trident maple will be auctioned live on Saturday night, giving you a chance to own a piece by a world-famous artist.
Gear up for an evening of artistry as Mauro Stemberger takes the stage for “Friday Night LIVE!.” For this demonstration, Mauro will tackle a foemina juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Foemina’), a species noted for its needle-like foliage and styling potential.
This demonstration tree is impressive, with a thick, weathered trunk and natural deadwood features near the base. Its large, wild, dense foliage makes it the perfect subject for Mauro’s energetic, architectural approach. Watch live as Mauro makes bold choices, bends branches, and shapes the deadwood to create a strong, world-class look from this remarkable tree. If you want to see a powerful tree transformed by experienced hands, you won’t want to miss this demonstration.
