Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance (DMA)

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Admission Requirements

  • A Master’s degree in Performance or its equivalent
  • Successful pre-screening audition (video)
  • Successful audition and interview
  • Minimum 70% average in Master's degree

Application Materials

  • A recent academic paper (approx. 3,000 words) that demonstrates ability to carry out music research
  • A current resume or CV
  • A  statement of interest 
  • A repertoire list and copies of recital programs
  • Optional: additional writing samples (published articles, reviews, CD notes, etc.)
  • Three confidential letters of reference
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended, uploaded in PDF
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)

Application Deadline: December 1

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

The program is available in two different streams: project-based (Stream 1) and thesis-based (Stream 2). At the end of Year 1, with the approval of their DMA Advisory Committee, students indicate their intention to pursue Stream 1 or Stream 2. 

Photo of Connor O'Kane"If you want to thrive as a music professional today, you need to be not only an excellent performer, but also a well-rounded communicator, researcher, and creative thinker. The DMA program at Western is the perfect setting for refining these skills."  
Connor O'Kane, DMA (Solo Piano) 2023.

Learn more about Connor O'Kane and our DMA program.

Program Requirements

                

Project-based
(Stream 1)

Thesis-based
(Stream 2)

Course work

 

(check timetable for details)

Studio lessons for 4 years

5 courses in support of performance

3 non-performance courses

Studio lessons for 3 years

5 courses in support of performance

3 non-performance courses

Research-Creation Portfolio

4 Performance Events 

DMA Research Paper Proposal

DMA Research Paper 

3 Performance Events

DMA Monograph Proposal

DMA Monograph and Oral Examination

Other Milestones

Academic Integrity Module

Research Ethics Tutorial TCPS-2 CORE

Qualifying Exam

Academic Integrity Module

Research Ethics Tutorial TCPS-2 CORE

Qualifying Exam

 

DMA Timeline – Stream 1 (Project-Based)

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Term
1		 Term
2		 Term
3		 Term
4		 Term
5		 Term
6		 Term
7		 Term
8		 Term
9		 Term
10		 Term
11		 Term
12
2 terms
lessons		 2 terms
lessons		 Qualifying Exam 2 terms
lessons		 2 terms
lessons
5 half courses in support of performance
(completed by end of Year 2, Term 5)		 Research Paper Proposal
(4-5 pages)		 DMA Research Paper
(40-50 pages)
3 half course non-performance
(completed by end of Year 3, Term 8)
Performance Event 1 Performance Event 2 Performance Event 3 Performance Event 4

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DMA Timeline – Stream 2 (Thesis-Based)

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Term
1		 Term
2		 Term
3		 Term
4		 Term
5		 Term
6		 Term
7		 Term
8		 Term
9		 Term
10		 Term
11		 Term
12
2 terms
lessons		 2 terms
lessons		 Qualifying Exam 2 terms
lessons		 DMA Monograph
(80-120 pages)
5 half courses in support of performance
(completed by end of Year 2, Term 5)		 Monograph Proposal
(10-15 pages)
3 half course non-performance
(completed by end of Year 3, Term 8)
Performance Event 1 Performance Event 2 Performance Event 3 Oral Examination

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Recently Completed Monographs

Meet our Doctoral Students 

Contact Info

Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) 
Kevin Mooney
TC 215
kmooney@uwo.ca

Graduate Program Assistant
Audrey Yardley-Jones
TC 216
519-661-2111 x85354
ayardley@uwo.ca