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Artist Diploma: Jazz and Contemporary Musical Arts
Jazz and contemporary musical arts musicians in the Institute for Concert Artists earn the Artist Diploma, NEC’s highest-level performance designation.
Concert Artists deepen their artistry and broaden their musical perspectives with the support of NEC faculty and the ICA’s extensive resources.
About the Program
Aspiring jazz and contemporary musical arts musicians will find unparalleled opportunities to cultivate their talent and advance their musical ambitions with the ICA. This unique two-year program offers a blend of mentorship, comprehensive study, and performance platforms.
Applicants should demonstrate exceptional talent, with a strong sense of their individual voice, mastery of their instrument, and a vision for their artistic future, ready to embark on remarkable professional journeys. The ICA is committed to providing them with the necessary tools, mentorship, and connections to thrive in the competitive music industry.
AD students are awarded a full-tuition scholarship and an annual stipend.
Program Benefits
- Lessons with internationally renowned faculty from NEC’s Jazz Studies and Contemporary Musical Arts departments
- Special performance opportunities in Jordan Hall and beyond
- Potential teaching and residency engagements at NEC, the Panama Jazz Festival, and more
- Collaboration opportunities within a vibrant, diverse community of innovative musical artists
After NEC
Featured Faculty
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Dominique Eade
Poetic and passionate, American vocalist, composer, and improviser Dominique Eade blends musical virtuosity with a songwriter’s straightforward emotional sensibility, creating music that has garnered critical acclaim, inspired audiences, and served as a creative signpost for generations of singers. The New York Times called Eade “an exceptional singer” with a “wide vocal range and a grasp on the intricacies of style,” one “who weighs a chanteuse’s coolness against a jazz musician’s exploratory instincts.” Eade was signed to RCA Victor in 1998, recording with jazz luminaries Dave Holland, Victor Lewis, and Benny Golson.
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Jason Moran
Known for his fearless creativity and boundary-defying approach, American pianist, composer, and conceptual artist Jason Moran has redefined what it means to be a jazz musician in the 21st century, bridging tradition and innovation with uncommon vision. Rolling Stone hailed him as “the most provocative thinker in current jazz,” celebrating his ability to merge storytelling, history, and experimentation at the keyboard. A MacArthur Fellow and Artistic Director for Jazz at the Kennedy Center, Moran has recorded a series of acclaimed albums for Blue Note and collaborated with artists including Glenn Ligon, Joan Jonas, and Kara Walker.
Featured Faculty
Dominique Eade
Poetic and passionate, American vocalist, composer, and improviser Dominique Eade blends musical virtuosity with a songwriter’s straightforward emotional sensibility, creating music that has garnered critical acclaim, inspired audiences, and served as a creative signpost for generations of singers. The New York Times called Eade “an exceptional singer” with a “wide vocal range and a grasp on the intricacies of style,” one “who weighs a chanteuse’s coolness against a jazz musician’s exploratory instincts.” Eade was signed to RCA Victor in 1998, recording with jazz luminaries Dave Holland, Victor Lewis, and Benny Golson.
Take the Next Step
Audition for the Institute
Are you interested in becoming a Concert Artist? Connect with our admissions team for more information about the application process, audition requirements, and benefits of an NEC education.
