The 2024 application cycle for the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance is now open. If applying online, we suggest the following steps:

1. Make an account at getacceptd.com
2. Visit the getacceptd landing page.
3. Under “Start an Application” in the top left-hand corner, select the following prompts:
   1. Degree Level: Graduate
   2. Degree Program: MM Music
   3. Select a Program: Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA
4. Read the guidelines on the right (also posted below), and click on the green button that says “Apply to Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz at UCLA”.
5. Sign in and fill out the application.

Eligibility

The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance accepts up to eight (8) extremely talented jazz musicians into a two-year master’s degree program designed to enhance their musicianship and develop their artistic vision through intensive study with renowned jazz masters, combined with a unique, performance-based education. The program aims to provide a learning environment in which gifted jazz musicians can create and experiment musically without the artistic and financial pressures of the working world. All applicants must be planning to pursue a career as a performing and/or recording jazz musician. Applicants should note that the program requires a two-year commitment, during which time the program must take priority over all other music touring, teaching, and recording opportunities. An advanced level of performance skills, including sight-reading ability, is required. Students must have completed an undergraduate degree at a four-year American college or university or equivalent institution outside of the United States and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last two years of upper-division coursework. International students must have a TOEFL score of at least 560 on the written exam and 87 on the internet-based exam.

Applications may be submitted to study the following instruments: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, harmonica, piano, electric guitar, acoustic bass, vibraphone, violin, drums, and vocals. Other instruments not listed are welcome to apply. Applicants who double or play secondary instruments and those who compose may be given extra consideration. The musicians accepted to attend the Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA must complete the full, two-year program of study. The Institute encourages applications from all candidates without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical handicap, or veteran status in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other activities.

Once accepted into the program, students will apply for a master’s degree from The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music by submitting an additional application to the UCLA Graduate Division. Students must be academically approved by the University of California Los Angeles to be accepted into The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.

Domestic students will be required to establish California residence in order to receive the full scholarship in the second year of the program. This includes establishing legal/physical residence and obtaining a California-based driver’s license, vehicle registration, voter registration and bank account.

Degrees and Credits

A master’s degree from The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music for qualified applicants and a certificate from the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance will be awarded upon successful completion of the two-year program.

Costs

Students accepted to the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance are awarded full-tuition scholarships. The second year’s full-tuition scholarship is contingent upon domestic students achieving California residency. Students also receive monthly stipends toward living expenses.

Deadlines

Completed application forms, materials and audition recordings must be received by December 1, 2024 by 11:59 pm PST for the new class entering in September 2025. Applicants selected to audition for the program will be notified by January 2025. In-person auditions will be held in February 2025.

December 1, 2024:       Application deadline; completed applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST

January 2025:              Selected applicants are invited to audition at UCLA

February 2025:            Auditions are held at UCLA

March 1, 2025:             Applicants are notified of admissions decisions

Application Procedures

The application form must be completed in full and must be accompanied by unofficial transcripts issued by your university for all college-level work (the institution logo and your name must be present on the copies; no screenshots), at least three letters of recommendation, and an essay discussing: A) your past experience and/or current work, and B) your artistic and professional goals. Each applicant will be required to audition by submitting a recording that follows the performance requirements. Those selected as finalists will be required to audition in person. The Institute’s admissions panel, which includes renowned jazz artists and educators, will review the applications.  Applicants will be judged on their application, letters of recommendation and criteria including exceptional musical skill, artistic vision, and potential for growth, as well as their ability to function within a group. Applicants who are not accepted will not receive critical feedback on their applications or recordings.

There are three ways to apply for the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance:

1. Apply online via https://herbalpert.getacceptd.com and submit credit/debit card information at the end of the application.
2. Download the application PDF form from org, email the application with all required materials (e.g., audio files, letters of rec, etc.) to apply@hancockinstitute.org and mail all required materials to the address below. Title the email with the following format – “Full Name | Hancock Institute Application 2025.”
3. Mail all required materials to the mailing address below.

Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance

Please include a $87 (USD) non-refundable application fee by payment online, check, or money order (no cash), made payable to: Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. Those applying on multiple instruments must submit an application along with supporting materials for each instrument, but are only required to pay one application fee. If this is the case for you, please inform the Institute admissions team via email at apply@hancockinstitute.org and indicate if you are applying online, by mail, or a hybrid of mail and email.

For more information, and to review the complete application form, please review the link at the top left-hand corner of this page.

About the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz

The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz is a nonprofit education organization with a mission to offer the world’s most promising young musicians college-level training by internationally acclaimed jazz masters and to present public school music education programs for young people around the world. The Institute preserves, perpetuates and expands jazz as a global art form, and utilizes jazz as a means to unite people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. All of the Institute’s programs are provided free of charge to students, schools and communities worldwide. The Institute’s programs use jazz as the medium to encourage imaginative thinking, creativity, a positive self-image, and a respect for one’s own and others’ cultural heritage.

Founded in 1986 as the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, the organization began operating as the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz in 2019 in recognition of Mr. Hancock’s commitment to the Institute since its establishment, his expert guidance as Institute Chairman, and his immense contributions to and impact on music, education and humanity.

About the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA

Since 1995, the Institute of Jazz Performance has offered aspiring young jazz musicians intensive training and interaction with a variety of visiting jazz masters through an innovative, graduate-level college program. Every two years, one ensemble of the most talented young jazz musicians from around the world is selected to participate in the program. In addition to receiving full scholarships and stipends to cover living expenses, the students are mentored by jazz legends who pass on their knowledge through private and ensemble instruction. Trumpet player and composer Ambrose Akinmusire serves as Artistic Director and Herbie Hancock is the Institute Distinguished Professor. Both serve as instructors and mentors for the students in the program. Artists-in-Residence have included Christian McBride, Danilo Pérez, Walter Smith III, George Garzone, Jason Moran, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Billy Childs, Mark Turner, Kenny Barron, Dianne Reeves, Stefon Harris, Kurt Elling, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dick Oatts, Jerry Bergonzi and Charles McPherson among others, along with former Artistic Directors Ron Carter and Terence Blanchard. As part of the program of study, the students participate in outreach programs across the United States and abroad. Past travel has included Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, Cuba, Egypt, France, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Peru, Russia, Sweden, Thailand and Vietnam.