Jazz, instrument or voice, master

Why study here?

As a student of jazz music, you become part of a special jazz community which includes around 40 students and teachers who are Finland’s leading jazz musicians.

We are known worldwide for our high-quality teaching, comprehensive curriculum and the abundant master class activity which also includes possibilities to play and work with the top-notch international jazz musicians.

Content and objective of the programme

At the master’s degree stage, you can choose almost a third of your courses freely. In addition to instrument classes and ensemble playing, you can choose, e.g., music business courses or pedagogical studies needed to work as a teacher. During your studies, you will also participate in different musical projects, master classes and social events. 

You can also choose courses organized by the other departments in Sibelius Academy and the two other Uniarts Helsinki academies. You can also complete joint studies that are available to all students. 

After completing your master’s degree, you will have familiarised yourself with the tradition and current trends of jazz music and formed your own clear artistic vision as the basis of your expression.

Master’s studies in jazz music emphasise deepening your artistic vision based on stylistic and technical competence. After graduation you can work in demanding positions as a musician, composer, band leader or pedagogue.

Teachers

The Sibelius Academy’s teaching staff represents the top of the Finnish jazz scene. Jazz students also have a unique opportunity to learn from many foreign guest teachers. In recent years they have included

• Dana Hall
• Aaron Goldberg
• Tim Hagans
• Nicole Glover
• Chuck Israels
• Dave Kikoski
• David Hazeltine
• Peter Washington
• Joe Farnsworth
• Mike Moreno
• Danny Grisset
• Linda May Han Oh 
• Jeff Parker 
• Joyce Moreno
• Charles Altura
• Mark Turner
• Adam Cruz
• Ethan Iverson
• John Hollenbeck
• Fabian Almazan
• Martin Sjöstedt
• Melissa Aldana
• Pablo Menares
• Kush Abadey
• Kalle Kalima
• Severi Pyysalo
• Dave Friedman
• Håvard Wiik
• Peter Bruun
• Petter Eldh
• Ashley Kahn
• Anders Jormin

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. 

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.

Sibis Alumni Big Band

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

Our students share their experiences about the studies