Jazz composition, master

Specialise in jazz composition in an international master’s degree programme guided by top professionals from Finland and abroad. Join our inspiring and vibrant study community.

Opiskelijoita flyygelin ympärillä

Why study here?

You will develop into a professional jazz composer under the guidance of Finland’s leading musicians, composers and top international names. You will learn to express yourself in your own unique way through your compositions.

We are known worldwide for our high-quality teaching, comprehensive curriculum and abundant master class activity. You will have the opportunity to play and work with top-notch international jazz musicians.

Content and objective of the programme

As a master student, you can choose almost a third of your courses freely. In addition to composing classes, you can choose, e.g., music business, music technology or pedagogical studies. During your studies, you will also participate in different musical projects, master classes and social events.

You can also choose courses organised by the other departments in Sibelius Academy or the two other Uniarts Helsinki academies. You can also complete so-called joint studies that are available to all students.

After completing your master’s degree, you have familiarized yourself with the tradition and current trends of jazz music, forming your own clear artistic vision as the basis for your expression. Master’s studies in jazz music focus on deepening artistic vision based on stylistic and technical expertise. Upon graduating, you can take on demanding roles as a composer, arranger, orchestra conductor and pedagogue.

Sibis Alumni Big Band

Our unique big band brings together students, teachers and prominent alumni.

Doctoral studies

You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at Uniarts Helsinki as a third-cycle degree. After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in jazz and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.

Some of the theses written by our doctors of music are available on-line:

Teachers

The Sibelius Academy’s teaching staff represents the top of the Finnish jazz scene. In 2018-2020, international teacher guests included:

  • Jim Beard
  • Seamus Blake
  • Peter Bernstein
  • René Marie
  • Christie Dashiell
  • Sinne Eeg
  • Jamie Baum
  • Jeff Hirshfield
  • Aaron Parks
  • Tony Malaby
  • Guillermo Klein
  • Marquis Hill
  • Frank McComb
  • Tim Hagans
  • Craig Taborn
  • Mark Soskin
  • Billy Cobham
  • Aaron Goldberg
  • Matt Penman
  • Leon Parker
  • Jonathan Kreisberg
  • Martin Bejerano
  • Phil Markowitz
  • Jeff “Tain” Watts
  • Paul Bollenback
  • Pedro Martins
  • Godwin Louis
  • Samora Pinderhughes
  • Terell Stafford
  • Jason Moran
  • Dana Hall
  • Ralph Alessi
  • Ashley Kahn.

We collaborate with the Manhattan School of Music via video conference. These video-streamed master classes have been held, for example, by John Riley, Dave Liebman, Phil Markowitz and Gretchen Parlato.

Professor

Videos of our students

Admissions guide

Target degree and length of study

Master of Music (MMus)
2,5 years

Application period

Next possible time to apply is in January 2025. Studies begin in August 2025.

Application languages

English, Finnish, Swedish

Read more about language skill requirements

Tuition fee

From August 2025, the annual tuition fee is € 12,000 for students who are studying in English and come from outside the EU and EEA countries.

Read more about tuition fees

Supervising teacher

  • Jussi Kannaste

    Lecturer, jazz (saxophone), ensemble, Jazz, Sibelius Academy
    +358505410044
    jussi.kannaste@uniarts.fi
  • Sami Linna

    Lecturer, jazz (guitar), instrument pedagogy, Jazz, Sibelius Academy
    +358505834387
    sami.linna@uniarts.fi

Unit

Department of Jazz
Sibelius Academy

Ask about applying

siba.admissions@uniarts.fi