Taking Jazz Guitar Lessons In US
Here are some of the best places to take jazz guitar lessons in US.
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY Tempe, Arizona
Student Body: 47,000 students, 800 music majors.
Tuition: In-state $2,272/year, out-of-state $9,728/year.
Jazz Degrees: Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Performance, Master’s of Music Education with a jazz concentration.
Jazz Bands: Big bands, Mexican mariachi band, Caribbean marimba band and steel drum band, African drum ensemble, and combos.
Faculty: Charles Marohnic, J. Samuel Pilafian, Wally Rave, Chris Champion.
Auditions: On-campus, call school of music at (480) 965-3371 for an appointment.
Financial Aid: Available. Call (480) 965-3355 for details.
Scholarships: Available, no separate audition. Contact school of music.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, no set deadline, apply by March 1 for financial aid.
Contact: (480) 965-5348; www.asu.edu.
BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC Boston, Massachusetts
Student Body: 3,000 students.
Tuition: $16,590/year.
Jazz Degrees: Bachelor’s of Music available in Performance, Music Production and Engineering, Songwriting, Music Business/Management, Contemporary Writing and Production, Jazz Composition, Film Scoring, Music Education, and Professional Music.
Jazz Bands: More than 350 different ensembles, including big bands, vocal ensembles, jazz/rock ensemble.
Faculty: Saxophonists Bill Pierce and Walter Beasley; vocalist Cheryl Bentyne; pianist Joanne Brackeen; guitarist Mick Goodrick; vibist Dave Samuels; drummer Kenwood Dennard, more.
Alumni: Arranger/producer Quincy Jones, guitarists John Scofield and Kevin Eubanks, saxophonist Branford Marsalis and trumpeter Roy Hargrove, among many others.
Auditions: Not required for admission. Tapes accepted. Auditions held for talent scholarships both on campus and on the World Scholarship tour. Contact the Office of Scholarships and Student Employment at (617) 74%8681.
Financial Aid: Available. Call (617) 747-2274 for details.
Scholarships: Many talent scholarships available. Contact Office of Scholarships and Student Employment.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, no set deadlines. Apply early for scholarships, financial aid and campus housing.
Contact: (800) 421-0084; www.berklee.edu.
BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY Bowling Green, Ohio
Student Body: 19,300 students.
Tuition: In state $5,168/year, out-of-state $10,668/year.
Jazz Degrees: Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies and Bachelor’s of Music in Performance with a jazz emphasis.
Jazz Bands: Two big bands, combos.
Faculty: Jeff Halsey and Russ Schmitt.
Alumni: Tim Hagans, Rich Perry, Tom Warrington.
Auditions: Required for acceptance. Call for specific dates. (419) 372-8577.
Financial Aid: Available. Call (419) 372-2651 for details.
Scholarships: Available. No separate audition.
Application Deadline: July 15.
Contact: (419) 372-8577; www.bgsu.edu.
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS Santa Clarita, California
Student Body: 1,200 students.
Tuition: $19,750/year.
Jazz Degrees: Bachelor’s and Master’s of Fine Arts in Jazz and African-American Music.
Jazz Bands: Several combos, improvisational combos, and many world music ensembles.
Faculty: Bassists Charlie Haden and Darek “Oles” Oleszkiewicz, guitarist Larry Koonse, drummer Joe La Barbera, pianist David Roitstein, saxist Paul Novros.
Alumni: Includes Nedra Wheeler, pianist James Carney, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, Michael Cane, Ralph Alessi, and Peter Epstein.
Auditions: Tapes preferred.
Financial Aid: Available. Contact (661) 253-7869 or (800) 443-0480 for details.
Scholarships: Contact financial aid office.
Application Deadline: Jan. 12.
Contact: (800) 545-2787; www.calarts.edu.
