Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Pedagogy & Performance

Designed for students seeking the highest degree in the field, the DMA is a rigorous four-year course of study culminating in one recital, one lecture recital, one workshop, and a doctoral thesis.

Curriculum

The doctoral degree is awarded on the basis of demonstrated competence, not on a specified number of credit hours. Completion of the program normally requires six terms of full-time study beyond the master’s degree. Students are expected to attain candidacy effective at the beginning of the sixth term. Course elections must include performance, private lessons, music theory, and musicology.

Final Project:

one recital, one lecture recital, one workshop, and a doctoral thesis.

Silent Advisor

Degree requirements and term-by-term layout for current students.

Funding

Nearly all DMA students receive full-tuition fellowships. Most also receive health benefits and a stipend attached to a Graduate Student Assistantship, which can vary in proportion to the appointment fraction and the duties associated with it. In addition to the funding packages offered by the SMTD, Rackham students are also eligible to apply for a wide range of fellowships to fund research, travel, and performance.

Residency Requirement

At least one academic year of full-time residence is required.

Faculty


Logan Skelton

Artur Schnabel Collegiate Professor of Music in Piano; Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music
Piano

Performance Opportunities

From large ensembles in celebrated concert halls to chamber groups in intimate recital spaces, performance opportunities across all disciplines abound, with nearly 900 student performances each academic year. Whether your focus is on early, classical, or contemporary music, whether your passion is for jazz, electronic, or world music, there is an ensemble – or in many cases, multiple ensembles – to suit your interests, including specific opportunities for percussion, piano, and organ & carillon. For students in theatre & drama, musical theatre, dance, and opera, opportunities abound in both professionally produced and student-run presentations.

Recitals

Recitals

Across all disciplines, students perform and study with their peers in studio classes and perform for the public in solo student recitals and studio recitals.

Questions?