NEC Jazz alumni and faculty include many of today's most influential jazz artists including MacArthur Genius grant recipients and Grammy Award winners. Work closely with multiple faculty members in studio and ensemble settings. Create your own curriculum of mentorship, expanding your perspective while learning more about yourself. Explore the jazz tradition and create the music of the future.
We're trying to keep the music alive, not teach it to death.
Donny McCaslin's "Fast Future" with the NEC Jazz Orchestra and McCaslin.
When I was in college, I wanted to be Kenny Garrett and Steve Coleman. Once I realized that I couldn’t, I had no choice but to find my own way.
The Panama Jazz Quintet performs Fran Vielma's "Tendencias". The quintet is Kevin Sun - sax, Isaac Wilson - piano, Dan Raney - bass, Mike Dick - drums and Fran Vielma - percussion.
From my students, I demand an open dialogue, an open mind. I don't want a blank canvas. I want you to have opinions.
NEC’s jazz studies department is among the most acclaimed and successful in the world.
What’s in your professional toolkit?
Make new ventures happen, start to finish, with Entrepreneurial Musicianship >
Pitch programming and perform for diverse audiences with Community Performances & Partnerships >
Sharpen your intellectual and communications skills with Liberal Arts >
Come to a concert. Connect with faculty. Take a tour led by a current student. Visit us!
NEC students don't just learn music; they learn how to change the world through music.
