Jazz composition, master
Join our inspiring and international community and complete a master’s degree in jazz composition guided by top professionals from Finland and abroad.
Why study here?
You will develop into a professional jazz composer under the guidance of Finland’s leading musicians, composers and top international names. You will learn to express yourself in your own unique way through your compositions.
We are known worldwide for our high-quality teaching, comprehensive curriculum and abundant master class activities. You will have the opportunity to play and work with top-quality international jazz musicians.
Content and objective of the programme
As a master’s student, you can choose almost a third of your courses freely. In addition to composing classes, you can choose studies in music business, music technology or pedagogy, for example. During your studies, you will also participate in different musical projects, master classes and social events.
You can also choose courses organised by the other departments of the Sibelius Academy or the two other Uniarts Helsinki academies. You can also complete so-called joint studies that are available to all students.
After completing your master’s degree, you have familiarised yourself with the tradition and current trends of jazz music, forming your own clear artistic vision as the basis for your expression. Master’s studies in jazz music focus on deepening your artistic vision based on stylistic and technical expertise. After graduating, you can take on demanding roles as a composer, arranger, orchestra conductor and pedagogue.
Sibis Alumni Big Band
Our unique big band brings together students, teachers and prominent alumni.
Doctoral studies
After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in jazz and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies. You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at Uniarts Helsinki as a third-cycle degree.
Some of the theses written by our Doctors of Music are available online:
- Sami Linna – http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2019112243797
- Mikko Helevä – http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-329-071-6
- Riitta Paakki – http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-329-038-9
- Antti Rissanen – http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2018050923728
- Jarno Kukkonen – http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20052000
- Jari Perkiömäki – http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20031086
Teachers
The Sibelius Academy’s teaching staff represents the top of the Finnish jazz scene. In 2018-2020, international teacher guests included:
- Jim Beard
- Seamus Blake
- Peter Bernstein
- René Marie
- Christie Dashiell
- Sinne Eeg
- Jamie Baum
- Jeff Hirshfield
- Aaron Parks
- Tony Malaby
- Guillermo Klein
- Marquis Hill
- Frank McComb
- Tim Hagans
- Craig Taborn
- Mark Soskin
- Billy Cobham
- Aaron Goldberg
- Matt Penman
- Leon Parker
- Jonathan Kreisberg
- Martin Bejerano
- Phil Markowitz
- Jeff “Tain” Watts
- Paul Bollenback
- Pedro Martins
- Godwin Louis
- Samora Pinderhughes
- Terell Stafford
- Jason Moran
- Dana Hall
- Ralph Alessi
- Ashley Kahn.
We collaborate with the Manhattan School of Music via video conference. These video-streamed master classes have been held, for example, by John Riley, Dave Liebman, Phil Markowitz and Gretchen Parlato.
Professor
-
Jukkis Uotila
- Professor, jazz (drums), Jazz, Sibelius Academy
- +358407104313
- jukkis.uotila@uniarts.fi
Videos of our students
Target degree and length of study
Master of Music (MMus)
2,5 years
Application period
Next possible time to apply is in January 2027. Studies begin in August 2027.
Degree language
English, Finnish, Swedish
Read more about language skill requirements
Tuition fee
From August 2026, the annual tuition fee is € 28,000 for students who are studying in English and come from outside the EU and EEA countries.
Supervising teacher
-
Jussi Kannaste
Lecturer, jazz (saxophone), ensemble, Jazz, Sibelius Academy+358505410044jussi.kannaste@uniarts.fi -
Sami Linna
Lecturer, jazz (guitar), instrument pedagogy, Jazz, Sibelius Academysami.linna@uniarts.fi
Unit
Department of Jazz
Sibelius Academy
Ask about applying
Why study here?
You will develop into a professional jazz composer under the guidance of Finland’s leading musicians, composers and top international names. You will learn to express yourself in your own unique way through your compositions.
We are known worldwide for our high-quality teaching, comprehensive curriculum and abundant master class activities. You will have the opportunity to play and work with top-quality international jazz musicians.
Content and objective of the programme
As a master’s student, you can choose almost a third of your courses freely. In addition to composing classes, you can choose studies in music business, music technology or pedagogy, for example. During your studies, you will also participate in different musical projects, master classes and social events.
You can also choose courses organised by the other departments of the Sibelius Academy or the two other Uniarts Helsinki academies. You can also complete so-called joint studies that are available to all students.
After completing your master’s degree, you have familiarised yourself with the tradition and current trends of jazz music, forming your own clear artistic vision as the basis for your expression. Master’s studies in jazz music focus on deepening your artistic vision based on stylistic and technical expertise. After graduating, you can take on demanding roles as a composer, arranger, orchestra conductor and pedagogue.
Sibis Alumni Big Band
Our unique big band brings together students, teachers and prominent alumni.
Doctoral studies
After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in jazz and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies. You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at Uniarts Helsinki as a third-cycle degree.
Some of the theses written by our Doctors of Music are available online:
- Sami Linna – http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2019112243797
- Mikko Helevä – http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-329-071-6
- Riitta Paakki – http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-329-038-9
- Antti Rissanen – http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2018050923728
- Jarno Kukkonen – http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20052000
- Jari Perkiömäki – http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20031086
Teachers
The Sibelius Academy’s teaching staff represents the top of the Finnish jazz scene. In 2018-2020, international teacher guests included:
- Jim Beard
- Seamus Blake
- Peter Bernstein
- René Marie
- Christie Dashiell
- Sinne Eeg
- Jamie Baum
- Jeff Hirshfield
- Aaron Parks
- Tony Malaby
- Guillermo Klein
- Marquis Hill
- Frank McComb
- Tim Hagans
- Craig Taborn
- Mark Soskin
- Billy Cobham
- Aaron Goldberg
- Matt Penman
- Leon Parker
- Jonathan Kreisberg
- Martin Bejerano
- Phil Markowitz
- Jeff “Tain” Watts
- Paul Bollenback
- Pedro Martins
- Godwin Louis
- Samora Pinderhughes
- Terell Stafford
- Jason Moran
- Dana Hall
- Ralph Alessi
- Ashley Kahn.
We collaborate with the Manhattan School of Music via video conference. These video-streamed master classes have been held, for example, by John Riley, Dave Liebman, Phil Markowitz and Gretchen Parlato.
Professor
-
Jukkis Uotila
- Professor, jazz (drums), Jazz, Sibelius Academy
- +358407104313
- jukkis.uotila@uniarts.fi