Jazz, instrument or voice, bachelor and master

Our excellent teachers will help you grow into a unique and visionary jazz musician in an international degree programme.

Mies soittaa lyömäsoittimia

Why study here?

You can develop into a versatile jazz professional under the guidance of Finland’s leading musicians and international top names. 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

During the studies, you will receive professional-level knowledge and skills in African-American music, music culture and performance practices. Upon graduating, you may take on demanding roles as a musician, bandleader, composer & arranger and pedagogue. Some of the most internationally acclaimed Finnish jazz professionals such as Timo Lassy, Verneri Pohjola, Aki Rissanen and Kalle Kalima are all alumni of the Sibelius Academy.

Bachelor’s studies

Jazz students complete studies in ensemble playing, aural skills, rhythm and arrangement that support their major subject. Optional studies andminor subject studies are also included in the degree. You will also study languages and music technology. 

Master’s studies

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. 

Sibelius Junior Academy

This instrument is part of our Junior Academy, a national programme, which prepares young music students for studies in a higher education institution. In addition to studies in either a major subject or a main instrument, you will study ensemble playing, structural awareness of music and other subjects offered by the Sibelius Academy.

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 recent years they have 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

Sibis Alumni Big Band

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

Our students share their experiences about the studies

Student interviews

Admissions guide

Target degree and length of study

Master of Music (MMus)
5,5 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

Sibelius Academy

Ask about applying

siba.admissions@uniarts.fi