Jon Batiste Joins SCAD to Launch Elite Vocal Performance Degree

The new curriculum is designed for performers who navigate fluidly between music, stage, film, and television. By integrating vocal artistry with production and storytelling, the program reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of the entertainment industry. Students will gain access to an interdisciplinary environment within the School of Film and Acting, working alongside peers in sound design, music production, and filmmaking.

Batiste, who has deep family roots in Georgia and Louisiana, intends to focus on deepening the technical and creative power of each student's voice. His involvement follows a series of collaborations with the university, including serving as the 2025 commencement speaker and helping design 'Press Play,' an immersive music listening lounge on campus. SCAD president Paula Wallace noted that the partnership aims to provide an education that prepares artists for sustainable professional success. The inaugural class begins this fall, with the university emphasizing a shift toward a more rigorous, industry-aligned approach to creative education.