Music Performance (DMA)

Department Website

Program Description

This DMA program in Music Performance prepares musicians to pursue careers in performance, scholarship, and teaching. The DMA is the preferred terminal degree for those who are dedicated to a lifelong career in music.

The program is for individuals who have completed a master’s degree in music performance and is designed to be completed in three years (full-time enrollment) or five years (part-time enrollment).

Admissions

Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:

• Résumé/CV
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• Proficiency in English

See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.

See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

Instrumental Performance, Piano and Jazz Studies students must complete 36 credits. Vocal Studies students complete 45 credits.

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
Applied Study (private lessons)		12
Sub-Specialization (selected by advisement) 1		12-13
Music Theory (selected by advisement) 2		3
Research Methods (selected by advisement)		3
Guided Music Performance Electives (selected by advisement)		3-12
Three Recitals (includes one lecture recital, at 1 credit each)		3
MPAIA-GE 3401	Performing Arts Research Collegium	0
Total Credits		45

¹

Students choose from the following specialization areas: Music Theory, Performance Arts Administration, Music Business, Music Education, Music Technology, Film Scoring, Concert Composition, Vocal Pedagogy, Individualized Study.

²

All incoming DMA students except for those with earned master’s degrees from an NYU music performance program must pass a music theory placement examination before enrolling in a music theory seminar. Offered just before the start of the first semester of study, the result of this examination may necessitate completion of one or more remedial theory courses, which will not count towards degree requirements.  Students pursuing a Music Theory sub-specialization may substitute a 3-credit course, by advisement.

Sample Plan of Study

Instrumental Performance, Piano, or Jazz Studies

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
XXXX-GE ----	Applied Study	3
XXXX-GE ----	Sub-specialization	3
XXXX-GE ----	Music Theory	3
MPAIA-GE 3401	Performing Arts Research Collegium	0
	Credits	9
2nd Semester/Term
XXXX-GE ----	Applied Study	3
XXXX-GE ----	Sub-specialization	3
XXXX-GE ----	Research Methods	3
MPAIA-GE 3401	Performing Arts Research Collegium	0
	Credits	9
3rd Semester/Term
XXXX-GE ----	Applied Study	3
XXXX-GE ----	Sub-specialization	3
XXXX-GE ----	Guided Music Performance elective	3
MPAIA-GE 3401	Performing Arts Research Collegium	0
	Credits	9
4th Semester/Term
XXXX-GE ----	Applied Study	3
XXXX-GE ----	Sub-specialization	3
MPAIA-GE 3401	Performing Arts Research Collegium	0
	Credits	6
5th Semester/Term
XXXX-GE ----	Recital	1
XXXX-GE ----	Lecture Recital	1
	Credits	2
6th Semester/Term
XXXX-GE ----	Recital	1
	Credits	1
	Total Credits	36

Vocal Performance

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
XXXX-GE ----	Applied Study	3
XXXX-GE ----	Vocal Performance Guided Elective	3
XXXX-GE ----	Music Theory	3
MPAIA-GE 3401	Performing Arts Research Collegium	0
	Credits	9
2nd Semester/Term
XXXX-GE ----	Applied Study	3
XXXX-GE ----	Vocal Performance Guided Elective	3
XXXX-GE ----	Research Methods	3
MPAIA-GE 3401	Performing Arts Research Collegium	0
	Credits	9
3rd Semester/Term
XXXX-GE ----	Applied Study	3
XXXX-GE ----	Vocal Performance Guided Elective	3
XXXX-GE ----	Sub-specialization	3
MPAIA-GE 3401	Performing Arts Research Collegium	0
	Credits	9
4th Semester/Term
XXXX-GE ----	Applied Study	3
XXXX-GE ----	Vocal Performance Guided Elective	2-3
XXXX-GE ----	Sub-specialization	3-4
MPAIA-GE 3401	Performing Arts Research Collegium	0
	Credits	9
5th Semester/Term
XXXX-GE ----	Sub-specialization	3
XXXX-GE ----	Recital	1
XXXX-GE ----	Recital	1
	Credits	5
6th Semester/Term
XXXX-GE ----	Sub-specialization	3
XXXX-GE ----	Lecture Recital	1
	Credits	4
	Total Credits	45

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate comprehensive and intensive knowledge of music literature and history, music theory, pedagogy, performance practice, and repertoire.
2. Develop individualized interpretations of repertoire based upon their ability to synthesize their accumulated musicianship and scholarship.
3. Design, conduct, and communicate – in both written and oral formats – scholarship related to their primary field of music performance.
4. Effectively teach their instrument and courses that fall within the scope of music performance at the collegiate level to musicians from a variety of backgrounds and musical experiences.
5. Demonstrate a broad understanding of a secondary field of study related to the music industry.

Policies

Steinhardt Academic Policies

Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page. 

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.