Monk Institute Awards and Honors

The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz promotes jazz education in a number of realms. Berklee students and alumni have made their mark here, winning its prestigious competition and studying in its college-level performance institute.

Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition

The world's most prestigious jazz competition gives top competitors both scholarships and renown. Berklee winners to date:

2010: Vadim Neselovskyi (composition)

2005: Lage Lund (guitar)

2002: Seamus Blake (saxophone)

1997: Darren Barrett (trumpet)

1993: Jacky Terrasson (piano)

Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance

In this prestigious program, a very few of the world's most gifted young musicians study for free with major jazz musicians and educators. Internationally acclaimed trumpeter/composer Terence Blanchard serves as Artistic Director.

Berklee grads have amazing prominence in this prestigious program. To date, nearly half the participants have come from Berklee!

Ninth Class (2012–2014)

Jonathan Pinson '11, drums

Eighth Class (2009–2011)

Billy Buss '09, trumpet
Nick Falk '06, drums
Victor Gould '09, piano
Hogyu Hwang '07, bass
Godwin Louis '08, alto and soprano saxophone

Seventh Class (2007–2009)

Gordon Au, trumpet
Vadim Neselovskyi, piano

Sixth Class (2005–2007)

Romain Collin, piano
Walter Smith III, tenor

Fifth Class (2003–2005)

James Alsanders, drums
Gilad Ronen, saxophone

Fourth Class (2001–2003)

Massimo Biolcati, bass
Yoon-Seoun Cho, piano
Lionel Loueke, guitar
Ferenc Nemeth, drums
Dayna Stevens, saxophone
Nick Vagenas, trombone

Third Class (1999–2001)

Jason Goldman, alto saxophone
Billy Mohler, bass

Second Class (1997–1999)

Eli Degibri, alto saxophone
Sebastiaan DeKrom, drums
Derek Nievergelt, bass

First Class (1995–1997)

Darren Barrett, trumpet
Ignaz Dinne, saxophone
Ofer Ganor, guitar