Herbie Hancock Institute Awards and Honors

The Herbie Hancock 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.

Note: The institute was renamed after Herbie Hancock in 2019. It was previously known as the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.

Herbie Hancock International Jazz Competition

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

  • 2018: Tom Oren (piano)
  • 2013: Melissa Aldana (saxophone)
  • 2005: Lage Lund (guitar)
  • 2002: Seamus Blake (saxophone)
  • 1997: Darren Barrett (trumpet)
  • 1993: Jacky Terrasson (piano)

Herbie Hancock 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. Jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter serve as distinguished professors at the expanded Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at the University of California, Los Angeles Herb Alpert School of Music.

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

Eleventh Class (2016–2018)

  • Anthony Fung '15, drums
  • Simon Moullier '16, vibraphone

Tenth Class (2014–2016)

  • Daniel Rotem '13, saxophone
  • Ido Meshulam '13, trombone

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 saxophone

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