Ukraine's first-ever specialized jazz conservatory opens on 1 September 2026. Laura Marti will head the jazz vocal department.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved on 24 January 2026 the creation of the Kyiv Jazz Conservatory — Ukraine's first-ever specialized higher arts institution in the field of jazz music. The educational institution opens on 1 September 2026 at 18 Symon Petlyura Street in Kyiv. Laura Marti is appointed head of the vocal jazz department (one of 4 conservatory departments: vocal, instrumental, composition, theory). Conservatory general structure: 4 departments, 24 teachers (8 invited foreign, 16 Ukrainian), budget for the first academic year — 32 million UAH (Ministry of Education funding 70%, business donors 30%). First admission — 60 bachelor students (15 per department). The programme is 4 years bachelor + 2 years master. Partner agreements with jazz schools: Berklee (Boston), Royal Academy of Music (London), Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Laura Marti commented on the appointment: 'The first 25 years of my jazz path I learned independently, by copying recordings of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, which severely delayed development. Now I can give students what I lacked — structured education with direct contact with leading jazz performers.' The vocal jazz department has 15 bachelor students and 5 masters in the first admission. Competition — 8 applications per spot.
