Jazz Studies
About Studying Jazz
In UNC Jazz Studies, you’ll join a supportive and collaborative community of faculty and students dedicated to musical creativity and excellence. With more than 170 DownBeat Student Music Awards and a Grammy nomination, UNC Jazz has built a national reputation for artistry and innovation. You’ll work closely with faculty who are active performers, composers, arrangers and scholars. These mentors know you by name and help you grow as an artist.
Creating new music is central to what we do. Whether performing or writing, you’ll have opportunities to develop your musical voice and bring your ideas to life. Our three big bands, studio orchestra, vocal jazz groups, combos, funk/soul band and Latin ensembles offer a broad range of musical experiences. UNC Jazz Press connects students with an extensive library of new and classic repertoire for instrumental and vocal ensembles.
Your future is part of that work from the beginning. Through faculty mentorship, collaboration and hands-on learning, you’ll connect your musical strengths with your professional goals. Whether you hope to perform, compose, arrange, teach or work in the business and administration of the arts, you’ll learn to present your work professionally, communicate your strengths and pursue opportunities that fit your goals.
Undergraduate options include the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and Bachelor of Music Education, along with Bachelor of Arts programs in Latinx Music, Culture and Expression, and Music Business and Recording Arts. Our Graduate Performance Certificate, Master of Music and Doctor of Arts degrees offer opportunities to deepen your artistry through advanced study in performance, composition, pedagogy and the recording arts.
Degree Programs
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Graduate Performance Certificate
- Latinx Graduate Certificate
- Master of Music
- Doctor of Arts
Get hands-on performance experience.
- Compass Jazz Orchestra
- Lab Bands
- Vocal Jazz Ensembles
- Funk/Soul Band
- Jazz Combos
- Spectrum Studio Orchestra
- Bop Shop
- UNC Jazz Guitar Ensemble
Apply to this Program See Audition Requirements Music Ensembles
Hear from Our Students & Alumni
Find Your Groove
The largest event of its kind in the nation, the UNC•Greeley Jazz Festival brings together internationally recognized artists, jazz lovers, award-winning clinicians, and over 150 college, high school, and middle school big bands, combos, and jazz vocal groups from across the country. Each year, over 4,000 participants enjoy main stage concerts, after-hours sessions, non-competitive daytime performances, and educational workshops.
Our students get the chance to travel around the world. Compass Jazz Orchestra recently performed at the National Theatre in Santo Domingo for the theatre’s 50th anniversary in addition to teaching master classes, participating in workshops and more.
UNC Jazz Camp is an intensive, inspiring summer camp for young students led by our faculty and special guests. Students grades 7-12 come to campus in July to be a part of big bands, combos, vocal jazz ensembles, jazz master classes, jazz theory and listening classes, jam sessions, nightly faculty group concerts and a special performance by the Colorado Jazz Orchestra.
Our Jazz Faculty
Gavin Allen-Dunn
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Piano
Erik Applegate
Associate Director, School of Music | Professor of Jazz Bass
David Bernot
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Saxophone
Brian Casey
Associate Professor of Academic Jazz
Daniel J. Cosio
Assistant Professor of Trombone
Ben Hall
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Guitar & Jazz Theory
Briana Harris
Adjunct Faculty, Music Business & Jazz Saxophone
Andrew Janak
Assistant Professor of Jazz Saxophone
Julie Koenig
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Voice
Steve Kovalcheck
Professor of Music, Jazz Guitar
Dana Landry
Professor of Jazz Studies and Piano, Director of Jazz Studies
Skyler Mendell
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Studies
Eduardo Moncada
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Theory
Hannah Rodriguez
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Voice
Miles Roth
Assistant Professor of Jazz Trumpet
Gonzalo Teppa
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Bass
Hendrik Viljoen
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Saxophone
Jim White
Professor of Jazz Studies and Drumset
Drew Zaremba
Associate Professor of Music & Jazz Composition
Spencer Zweifel
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Studies
Jazz Studies in Action
