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ABOUT US

A music school that beats at the very heart of Kathmandu’s ever-growing music industry. Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory aims to train the next generation of artists, musicians, producers, sound-engineers, composers and songwriters to feed the increasing demand for music within Nepal’s flourishing music scene. There has never been a better time to be a musician in Nepal and there has never been a school quite like KJC to help you achieve your goals.

Belonging to the vibrant Gyan Mandala Community and working closely with Katjazz studios and Moksh, students will be part of an environment that will constantly push them to be creative, skilled, well informed and experienced artists.

In studying at KJC, you will be taught and supported by a passionate team of creative and practicing professionals. KJC serves a diverse and talented pool of students, and has a strong support network that has been developing for more than 12 years.

The Passion Behind KJC

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NIRAKAR YAKTHUMBA

Founder Director/Chairman

A versatile musician and entrepreneur, Nirakar Yakthumba is well known as the bass player of 1974 AD, Nepal’s First International Rock Band. He co-founded KJC in 2007 and since then has been heavily involved in the country’s cultural scene.

As an artist he has toured the Americas, Europe and Asia, and won many awards such as Hits FM and Kantipur FM awards. He is part of different formations, considering himself a complete musician able to play many genres. As a entrepreneur, he is an influential figure and partner at Moksh, Pranamaya Yoga and the Gyanodaya Education Foundation

ABHISEK BHADRA

ACADEMIC DIRECTOR/FACULTY

Hailing from Kathmandu, Abhisek Bhadra initiated his musical journey in the local jazz and rock scene. He achieved notable recognition by securing victories in both the Jazzmandu Jazz for the Next Generation competition and the Rockheads competition. Subsequently, he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Composition/Arranging at Codarts, Rotterdam Conservatorium, being awarded the International Talent Grant.

Abhisek's diverse musicality has graced venues like Paradiso Amsterdam and Amsterdam Concertgebouw and found its way into the limelight on national TV/Radio shows. His compositions and arrangements have been featured by renowned ensembles, including the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw.

Beyond performing, Abhisek is passionate about music education. He co-founded Nepal's only Diploma program in Western contemporary music at the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, where he serves as the Academic Director, mentoring the next generation of music leaders.

In the Kathmandu music scene, Abhisek actively collaborates with a range of prominent artists and bands, including Jooni, Jindabaad, Atomic Bush, Cadenza Collective, Le Piro, Jhuma Limbu, 1974 AD, Amazumi, and Rohit John Chettri, among others.

KJC TEAM

Uniting People with Music since 2007

KJC is a unique hub for intercultural exchange where different backgrounds meet to learn from each other. Since 2007 KJC is bringing highly qualified foreign music teachers, performers and personnel who train our Nepali faculty and students. KJC is known as the most competent music school in Nepal and one of the tops in South Asia.

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