Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory

The Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory is a new center for musical studies which opened in the fall of 2007 in the sub-metropolitan city of Lalitpur, just outside Kathmandu, Nepal. The mandate of the Conservatory is to create a music environment where musicians can become knowledgeable in various musical subjects, be exposed to different music genres, and most importantly, where all musicians, from beginners to advanced, can receive a proper music education.

Our comprehensive curriculum allows students to choose from among a wide variety of courses including applied lessons in various instruments, music arranging, improvisation, jazz and Hindustani music theory and history, ear training, midi instruction, studio recording - subjects not offered elsewhere in Nepal. To achieve this we are recruiting teachers from abroad to help train the Nepali people so that in the future the school will feature a highly skilled, competent and fully Nepali staff.

Investment in the school has been substantial. Our facilities include a music hall which can seat 200 people, a music library, a listening lab, five practice rooms, two large rooms for ensemble rehearsal and group classes, separate rooms for both drum kit and percussion instruments, a piano practice room and a state-of-the-art recording studio, out of which we operate our own record label Katjazz Records. We offer students the use of mainly Yamaha instruments, including two Clavinova electric pianos, two drum kits, an upright piano, amplifiers, 6-string acoustic and bass guitars, etc.

In addition to their studies, students of the Conservatory will have the opportunity to perform at any of our monthly concert series programs and will be able to form invaluable relationships with fellow students and musicians from around the community.

With its professional staff, wide variety of courses offered, frequent performance opportunities, consistent interaction with fellow musicians and outstanding facilities, the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory is developing a much deserved reputation as the preeminent center for musical study in Nepal.