Please note that the Herbie Hancock Institute does not admit students each year. The next class will be accepted to start in fall 2025 and the new application will be posted online in the summer of 2024.

Eligibility
The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance accepts up to eight (8) extremely talented jazz musicians into a two-year Master’s 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 create 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. International applicants must submit a TOEFL score.

Applications may be submitted to study the following instruments: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, electric guitar, acoustic bass, vibraphone, violin, drums, and vocals. Applicants who double or play secondary instruments and those who compose may be given extra consideration. The musicians accepted to attend the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance must complete the full two-year program of study. The Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance 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. Requirements for acceptance include a Bachelor’s Degree from an acceptable institution with 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 exam.

Domestic students will be required to establish California residence for purposes of UCLA tuition. This includes establishing legal/physical residence and obtaining a California-based driver’s license, vehicle registration, voter registration and bank account.