The Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice released a report highlighting a 6-to-1 male-to-female ratio among jazz educators in U.S. colleges, calling the imbalance a major concern. The study covered over 3,000 faculty across 222 institutions for the 2021–2022 academic year, focusing heavily on gender identity rather than teaching quality or musical excellence.
According to the report, just 15% of faculty identified as female, and only 8% taught instruments—most served in vocal roles. Larger institutions showed even lower female representation, with 35% of schools lacking any female jazz instructors. The data emphasized disparities in full-time and tenured roles, where men held the majority.
Institute leaders urged sweeping changes in hiring and curriculum to improve gender balance. However, critics argue that prioritizing identity metrics over musical credentials risks politicizing education and undermining merit-based standards. Concerns are growing that institutions may sacrifice excellence to meet ideological benchmarks.
