School of Jazz & Contemporary Music

What School of Jazz & Contemporary Music does

EJMA (École de Jazz et de Musique Actuelle) is a Swiss music school founded in 1984 in Lausanne and operated as a private foundation (Fondation Ecole de Jazz et de Musique Actuelle de Lausanne). It delivers comprehensive music education spanning jazz, contemporary music, and musical theatre to students aged 4 through adulthood, with subsidised tuition available to Canton of Vaud residents aged 4-25 via the FEM (Fondation pour l'Enseignement de la Musique) framework. The teaching faculty consists entirely of active professional musicians.

The school's product portfolio is organised across three layers: (1) individual courses in 17 disciplines (accordion, electric bass, drums, vocals, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, piano, saxophone, theory, trombone, trumpet, vibraphone, violin, and computer-assisted music/MAO); (2) approximately 30 collective workshops and ensembles covering jazz, blues, rock, metal, funk, reggae, Latin/salsa, electro-pop, songwriting, vocal groups, choirs, and music history; and (3) three specialised programmes — the Pré-HEM preparatory track for the Haute École de Musique (HEMU) Lausanne Jazz department, the Maturité spécialisée musique (MS Musique), and an audition-based Intensive Musical Theatre Section for ages 14+ with documented alumni placement at UK, German, and French schools. The MAO track uses third-party software (Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, Max/MSP) as teaching tools rather than proprietary systems. The school's main campus at Rue des Côtes-de-Montbenon 26 houses teaching rooms plus the Atrium (capacity 80-90 standing) and Auditorium (69 seats), which are also rented out for rehearsals and events.

Revenue is generated primarily through annual and semester tuition fees differentiated by residency status (Canton Vaud subsidised vs. non-subsidised), with courses sold direct-to-consumer through the institutional website (ejma.ch) on annual or semester billing. Fees range from CHF 190 (children's vocal group) to CHF 4,400 (intensive musical theatre, non-subsidised, hors Lausanne). Ancillary revenue comes from room rental of the Atrium, Auditorium, and teaching rooms. Institutional backing from Ville de Lausanne, Canton de Vaud, and Loterie Romande supplements tuition income. No external equity funding has been disclosed.

Name

School of Jazz & Contemporary Music

Legal name

Fondation Ecole de Jazz et de Musique Actuelle de Lausanne

Website

https://ejma.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

EJMA is a private Swiss foundation operating a Lausanne-based music school founded in 1984, delivering jazz, contemporary music, and musical theatre education from age 4 through adulthood via individual lessons, collective workshops, and specialised programmes preparing students for the HEMU Jazz department and European musical-theatre schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Music Lessons (Instrumental) (EDAMANAA), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Music Exam Prep & Certification (ABRSM, Trinity, RCM, AP Music Theory) (EDAMANAJ), Music Theory, Ear Training & Musicianship (EDAMANAF)

Keywords

• Music education
• Jazz instruction
• Musical theatre training
• Contemporary music
• Individual music lessons

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and course fees: EJMA generates revenue through annual and semester tuition fees charged for individual lessons, collective workshops, and specialized programs. Fees are structured differently for subsidized students (residents of Canton of Vaud aged 4-25) and non-subsidized students (adults 20+ or non-Vaud residents).
2. Room rental: The school rents out its facilities (Atrium, Auditorium, and teaching rooms) for rehearsals and events to external parties, generating supplementary rental revenue.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

EJMA is a music school in Lausanne delivering individual one-on-one instrument lessons (17 instruments from accordion to violin), collective ensemble workshops (jazz, blues, rock, reggae, Latin, electro-pop, songwriting, MAO, vocal ensembles, big band), and three specialized programs: a two-year Pre-HEM preparatory track for HEMU Lausanne entrance, the Maturité spécialisée musique (MS Musique), and the audition-based Intensive Musical Theatre Section for ages 14+. Programs are delivered in person at the school's Lausanne campus (Rue des Côtes-de-Montbenon 26), supported by FEM subsidies for Canton Vaud residents aged 4-25.

Product overview

The École de Jazz et de Musique Actuelle (EJMA) is a music school offering a comprehensive portfolio of music education products organized into three main categories: (1) Individual Instrument Courses — 17 instruments taught one-on-one including accordion, electric bass, drums, voice, clarinet, double bass, transverse flute, guitar, computer-assisted music (MAO), piano/keyboards, saxophone, theory, trombone, trumpet, vibraphone, and violin; (2) Collective Courses and Workshops — approximately 30 ensemble and workshop offerings including Big Band, vocal ensembles, choir, instrumental workshops (jazz, blues, rock, funk, metal, reggae, Latin/salsa, electro-pop), songwriting, jazz history seminars, and specialized programs such as EJMAO Sonic arts (Max/MSP) and Logic Pro X; and (3) Specialized Programs — the Pré-HEM preparatory track for HEMU admission, the Maturité spécialisée musique (MS Musique), and the Intensive Musical Theater Section (accessible by audition from age 14, combining individual vocal lessons, theater, song & dance, repertoire study, and audition preparation). The school also offers facility rental (Atrium, Auditorium, and teaching rooms) and operates in partnership with the Fondation pour l'Enseignement de la Musique (FEM) for subsidized students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Instrument Lessons (Cours individuels)
• Collective Workshops and Ensembles (Cours collectifs)
• Pré-HEM Section (Section Pré-HEM)
• Maturité spécialisée musique (MS Musique)
• Intensive Musical Theatre Section (Section intensive de comédie musicale)
• Facility Rental (Location de salles)

Quantifiable outcome

• Successful preparation for HEMU Lausanne entrance through the Pre-HEM program with rigorous two-tier (palier) curriculum
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FEM (Fondation pour l'Enseignement de la Musique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEJMA's curriculum for subsidized students follows the FEM (Fondation pour l'Enseignement de la Musique) framework of Canton Vaud. The FEM oversees music education standards and subsidies for music schools in the canton, and EJMA is recognized as conforming to FEM pedagogical standards.
• Ville de LausannecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Lausanne is a key institutional supporter and partner of EJMA, providing municipal backing and recognition as the primary jazz and contemporary music school in the city.
• Canton de VaudcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Canton of Vaud, through its education department, enables subsidized tuition for eligible residents (ages 4-25 residing in the canton), making EJMA's programs accessible through public funding.
• Loterie RomandecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLoterie Romande is a major institutional supporter of cultural and educational institutions in French-speaking Switzerland, including EJMA's music education programs.
• Montreux Jazz FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the world's most prestigious music festivals, the Montreux Jazz Festival collaborates with EJMA as part of its cultural ecosystem, providing performance and learning opportunities for EJMA students and alumni.
• HEMU (Haute École de Musique de Lausanne)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEJMA's Pre-HEM program and MS Musique (Maturité spécialisée musique) program are specifically designed to prepare students for HEMU's Jazz and Musiques Actuelles department entrance exams. HEMU is EJMA's primary academic pathway destination.
• Cully Jazz FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual jazz festival in the region that collaborates with EJMA, featuring student and faculty performances and providing exposure for the school's musical community.
• ChorusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneva-based cultural venue and partner organization, collaborating with EJMA in the broader jazz and contemporary music ecosystem of French-speaking Switzerland.
• Mountview Academy (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the UK's leading musical theatre schools with which EJMA maintains a relationship to guide and prepare students for entrance examinations. EJMA alumni have been admitted to this institution.
• Arts Educational Schools London (Arts Ed, UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLondon-based performing arts school with which EJMA maintains a relationship to guide and prepare musical theatre students for entrance examinations.
• Guildford School of Acting (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based conservatoire-level drama and musical theatre school with established ties to EJMA for student preparation and pathway guidance.
• Urdang Academy (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLondon-based performing arts conservatoire offering pathways for EJMA musical theatre graduates.
• Stage School Hamburg (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany's leading performing arts and musical theatre school with established connections to EJMA for student preparation and pathways.
• ECM Paris / École de Comédie Musicale (France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis-based musical theatre school partnering with EJMA to guide students toward French-language musical theatre education.
• Cours Florent Comédie Musicale (France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious Parisian drama and musical theatre school affiliated with the historic Cours Florent, maintaining a relationship with EJMA for student guidance.
• Label SuisseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss music industry event and platform that EJMA participates in as part of the broader cultural ecosystem.
• EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, with which EJMA collaborates within the broader cultural and educational landscape of Lausanne.
• Fête de la Musique LausanneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual music festival organized by the City of Lausanne, in which EJMA participates with student performances and cultural programming.
• Café Saint-PierreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLausanne cultural venue that collaborates with EJMA for performances and cultural events.
• JazzonzeplusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLausanne-based jazz club and cultural venue, part of the local jazz ecosystem with which EJMA maintains collaborative ties.
• Les Docks (Lausanne)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Lausanne concert venue and cultural space, collaborating with EJMA in the regional music scene.
• Festival Cinéma Jeune PublicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's and youth film festival in the Lausanne region, with interdisciplinary connections to EJMA's musical programming.
• AMISEJMA (Association des Amis de l'EJMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA dedicated friends and patrons association (amisejma.ch) that supports the school financially and promotes its mission, providing a community network for fundraising and outreach.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts: London-based performing arts school offering musical theatre training. EJMA's documented partnership destination and explicit audition-prep target. Comparable curriculum in musical theatre intensive training for the same age cohort (14+).
• Cours Florent Comédie Musicale: Paris-based performing arts school with a dedicated comédie musicale department. EJMA partnership destination; comparable intensive musical theatre pedagogy with comparable audition pipeline into the French professional musical theatre scene.
• Conservatoire de Musique de Genève: Geneva-based music school offering individual lessons, collective workshops, and pre-conservatory training in French-speaking Switzerland. Direct competitor for Vaud-Geneva corridor students, especially non-subsidized adults and musical theatre candidates.
• Swiss Jazz School: Bern-based jazz and contemporary music school offering individual instruction, ensemble programs, and pre-conservatory preparation. Most direct Swiss peer to EJMA: same niche (jazz/contemporary), same language market region (German-speaking vs EJMA's French-speaking), and parallel HSLU/Musikhochschule feeder model.
• HEMU — Haute École de Musique de Lausanne: Lausanne-based conservatoire with the Jazz and Musiques Actuelles department that EJMA's Pre-HEM program feeds. Comparable in offering professional-level jazz instruction in the same city; sits upstream as the destination for EJMA's preparatory track.

Broad incumbents

• CNSMD de Lyon: National higher-education conservatory in France offering jazz and contemporary music departments. Larger-scale public institution with overlapping pedagogy; competes for elite students but does not specialize in EJMA's supplemental/Pre-HEM niche.
• Berklee College of Music: Global leader in contemporary and jazz music education based in Boston. Far larger scale and broader portfolio; competes for elite jazz/musical theatre talent worldwide and offers online programs that may pressure EJMA's non-subsidized adult enrollment.

Emerging players

• Cmde Paris (Centre de Musique Didier Lockwood): Paris-area contemporary music school focused on jazz and improvised music with private lesson and collective workshop formats. Smaller scale than EJMA but directly comparable in pedagogical approach and target learner (jazz/contemporary instrumentalists).

Regional players

• Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK) — Jazz Department: Major arts university in Zurich with a well-known jazz and contemporary music department. Comparable in jazz pedagogy and pre-conservatory preparation but located in German-speaking Switzerland; competes for top-tier Swiss jazz talent but not directly in Lausanne's catchment.
• Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana (CSI): Lugano-based Swiss conservatory teaching across classical, jazz, and contemporary disciplines. Comparable national positioning in Swiss music education but serves the Italian-speaking canton; partial overlap in pre-conservatory jazz instruction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwyEop_GRaO4vzuaoIMpgaA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ejmaflon.lausanne
• Instagraminstagram.com/ejma_lausanne
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ecole-de-jazz-musique-actuelle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about School of Jazz & Contemporary Music