The California Jazz Conservatory is the only independent, accredited music school in America completely devoted to the study and performance of jazz.
We offer two distinct education programs:
The California Jazz Conservatory also offers more than 200 performances a year, featuring visiting artists, CJC faculty and students.
“The most successful jazz education startup in the United States: the California Jazz Conservatory” –Ted Gioia Jazz historian and author
“The most successful jazz education startup in the United States: the California Jazz Conservatory”
–Ted Gioia Jazz historian and author
Overview
The California Jazz Conservatory offers a 100% jazz-relevant curriculum taught by teaching artists who turn students into professionals, musicians into artists.
If you are an aspiring artist with singular professional ambitions in jazz, we invite you to consider the California Jazz Conservatory for your degree in Jazz Studies.
The California Jazz Conservatory will help you become the artist you aspire to be, with a program that celebrates and promotes individual expression on all fronts and for all students.
“The California Jazz Conservatory is an exceptional institution, fostering the next generation of artists and educators …many on the cutting edge…performing, composing, teaching, touring throughout the world.” Dr. Jeff Denson CJC Faculty
“The California Jazz Conservatory is an exceptional institution, fostering the next generation of artists and educators …many on the cutting edge…performing, composing, teaching, touring throughout the world.”
Dr. Jeff Denson CJC Faculty
Degree Programs
The California Jazz Conservatory offers 4-year Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies and 2-year Associate of Arts in Jazz Studies degree programs.
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Jazz Studies:
The California Jazz Conservatory awards the Bachelor of Arts degree in Jazz Studies to instrumental and vocal students who satisfactorily complete CJC’s program of study of core music courses, electives and general studies courses.
The Associate of Arts Degree in Jazz Studies:
The California Jazz Conservatory awards the Associate of Arts degree in Jazz Studies to instrumental and vocal students who satisfactorily complete CJC’s program of study of core music courses, electives and general studies courses.
Opportunities
The California Jazz Conservatory offers students many benefits beyond the classroom that contribute to an exceptional education in jazz, including year-round opportunities to perform, record and tour.
“The California Jazz Conservatory is a community where musicians flourish…developing your own gifts and creativity into something that expresses your own uniqueness.” Autumn Salvo CJC First Year Student
“The California Jazz Conservatory is a community where musicians flourish…developing your own gifts and creativity into something that expresses your own uniqueness.”
Autumn Salvo CJC First Year Student
History / Campus
Founded in 1997 as The Jazzschool, a community music school teaching musicians of all ages and abilities and still an integral part of CJC today, the institution was granted accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) in 2013, making the California Jazz Conservatory the only independent, accredited, stand-alone music conservatory in the United States completely devoted to the study and performance of jazz.
Located in the heart of Downtown Berkeley’s vibrant Arts District, CJC’s campus consists of two buildings on opposite sides of Addison Street: 2087 Addison houses Hardymon Hall, a 100-seat performance venue, along with multiple classrooms and practice rooms; and 2040 Addison, CJC’s Fiddler Annex, housing Rendon Hall, a 100-seat performance venue, along with the Jennifer A. Maxwell Music Library, practice rooms, classrooms, a student lounge and offices.
The CJC campus is close to public transportation offering a connection to the San Francisco Bay Area’s renowned dining and entertainment opportunities, with multiple housing options located close by our campus.