Berkeley-based community education institution The Jazzschool on Tuesday announced Bay Area composer, educator and bassist Lisa Mezzacappa as its new executive director.

“I’m feeling great, excited, nervous and thrilled,” says Mezzaccapa, reached by phone.

Mezzaccapa plans to listen to the needs of students to add to the “magical” environment that already exists at the school — a place she said she’s fallen in love with over the past five years as an educator at the institution.

Bassist Lisa Mezzacappa with vibraphonist Mark Clifford, one of many local musicians she’s worked with throughout her career. (Lenny Gonzalez)

“When you’re teaching there at night,” she says, “the place is just so alive and activated by so many different kinds of people, who are kind of giddy with playing

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