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 leaders in performance, composition, arranging and jazz scholarship—mentors who know you by name and help you grow as an artist.
Creating new music is central to our mission. Whether performing or writing, you’ll be part of a vibrant culture of creativity. Our three big bands, studio orchestra, vocal jazz groups, combos, funk/soul band and Latin ensembles provide a wide range of performance experiences. UNC Jazz Press further enriches the program, giving students access to a vast library of new and classic repertoire for both instrumental and vocal ensembles.
Build a strong musical foundation that prepares you to perform, compose, arrange and teach through our Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and Bachelor of Music Education degrees, or pursue your passion through our Bachelor of Arts programs in Latinx Music, Culture and Expression and Music Business and Recording Arts, which offer distinct pathways for students whose interests extend beyond traditional performance and education tracks. Students can further their artistry through our Graduate Performance Certificate, Master of Music and Doctor of Arts degrees, which provide advanced study in performance, composition, pedagogy and research—equipping graduates for success across today’s diverse music industry.
Degree Programs
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
Erik Applegate
Associate Director, School of Music | Professor of Jazz Bass
Tom Call
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz
Brian Casey
Associate Professor of Academic Jazz
Daniel J. Cosio
Assistant Professor of Trombone
Bailey Grogan
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Voice
Briana Harris
Adjunct Faculty, Music Business & Jazz Saxophone
Eric Hitt
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Bass
Andrew Janak
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Saxophone
Steve Kovalcheck
Professor of Music, Jazz Guitar
Dana Landry
Professor of Jazz Studies and Piano, Director of Jazz Studies
Marion Powers
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Voice
Miles Roth
Assistant Professor of Jazz Trumpet
Hendrik Viljoen
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Saxophone
Jim White
Professor of Jazz Studies and Drumset
Bobby Wiens
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Drums
Drew Zaremba
Associate Professor of Music & Jazz Composition
Spencer Zweifel
Adjunct Faculty, Jazz Studies
Jazz Studies in Action
