Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance

chad louwerse"The course work has been interesting and challenging and the faculty members I’ve taken courses with have been knowledgeable and fun to work with. They create a really positive learning environment."  Chad Louwerse, DMA Candidate, Voice

Learn more about Chad Louwerse and our DMA program

Program Requirements

The Doctor of Musical Arts is a doctoral degree in music performance with areas of concentration in voice, piano (solo and collaborative), violin, viola, cello, clarinet, trumpet, and percussion.

The program requirements include:

  • DMA Lessons 
  • Courses in support of performance
  • Non-performance courses 
  • Four Performance Events
  • Comprehensive Examination
  • Defense of monograph proposal
  • Monograph and oral defense

The four Performance Events, normally one per year, may include solo recitals, chamber music recitals, opera roles, lecture recitals, or other events appropriate to the area of concentration.

A language requirement may be required (at the discretion of the student’s DMA Advisory Committee).

Each DMA student will have a DMA Advisory committee, which will be responsible for approving the student’s course selection, performance event programs, and comprehensive examination. The monograph proposal and monograph will be written under the supervision of a monograph supervisor, or co-supervisor, and second reader.

For further details about the program requirements, please consult the Graduate Handbook.

Timeline for Progression in the DMA 

DMA timeline

Notes:

  • All courses in support of performance must be completed before the Comprehensive Examination.
  • All non-performance courses must also be completed before the Comprehensive Examination.
  • Language requirements, where applicable, are not shown in this chart.

Recently Completed Monographs

Meet our Doctoral Students