In recent years, a growing body of research has been reassessing the role of higher music education institutions in light of the challenges posed by the dominant neoliberal economic system and the growing sensitivity to the reproduction of social inequalities in access to higher education and the labour market. This open access book offers international and interdisciplinary insights into these processes and practices and by examining the learning cultures, curricula designs and emancipatory initiatives within higher music education institutions. Drawing together empirical case studies from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, the UK and the USA, the authors explore the multifaceted ways to transition from study to work and the world of uncertainty and job insecurity currently experienced by a younger generation of musicians. Contributions shed light on the reactions of higher music education institutions to the neoliberal restructuring of the educational field and take a fresh look at the master-apprentice model of teaching and learning. They look at the discourses surrounding employability and artistic standards that form the traditional foundation of conservatoire education but also create the environment for unequal power relations and sexual misconduct. The authors also examine how gender, class and race/ethnicity pervade the creation and performance of music, and highlight alternative pedagogical strategies that fight discrimination and violence to bring about equity and empowerment.The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.