This session is part of a two-part Berklee series at JEN 2026, offering both a broad overview and a deeper dive into the pedagogy behind Berklee’s jazz education. For more than eight decades, Berklee College of Music has built a reputation as a global leader in jazz and contemporary music education. This 50-minute workshop takes participants inside the “nuts and bolts” of Berklee’s pedagogy—highlighting how the college’s core curriculum, ensemble culture, and mentorship practices have shaped generations of musicians. Led by George W. Russell Jr. (Chair, Jazz Comp/Harmony) with co-presenter Ayn Inserto, (Asst. Chair, Jazz Comp/Harmony) this session will trace Berklee’s roots as a jazz school, built on the Schillinger system, and its evolution into a globally recognized institution. Participants will explore how jazz remains the foundation of Berklee’s educational DNA, woven into harmony and ear training courses, ensemble practices, jazz composition, and Africana Studies. The workshop will also share practical tools and strategies for jazz educators, with a focus on teaching improvisation, fostering identity and creativity, and designing classroom experiences that move beyond traditional methods. Learning Outcomes / Takeaways By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: Describe how Berklee’s core curriculum in harmony, ear training, and ensembles reflects a jazz-based foundation.
Examine the role of mentorship, ensemble culture, and identity in shaping student learning and artistry.
Analyze examples from Berklee’s jazz-focused majors and institutes, including composition and performance pathways.
Apply pedagogical strategies that integrate improvisation, cultural context, and innovative teaching methods.
Adapt Berklee-inspired approaches for use in their own classrooms, ensembles, and programs.
Target Audience Jazz educators, program directors, ensemble leaders, high school and college faculty, student advisors, and prospective partners in jazz education. Presenters Primary Presenter: Chair of Jazz Composition & Harmony: George W. Russell Jr.
Co-Presenter: Assistant Chair of Jazz Composition & Harmony: Ayn Inserto
