Master of Music in Performance, Voice

The application deadline for most 2023-24 programs was December 1. See the Graduate Admissions page for specific degree application deadlines.

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Designed for students seeking intensive study with a major artist-teacher and performance experience to develop into a highly qualified professional musician. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in music or its equivalent.

Each master’s student in voice performance is required to audition for a role in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance opera production during at least two terms. If cast, the student is required to perform the role, subject to the approval of their studio teacher

Curriculum

The Master of Music in Voice Performance requires a minimum of 35 credits. Coursework to include:

Private voice lessons
Ensemble participation
Opera or Opera Workshop
Voice Literature
French, German, and Italian Diction
Choral Conducting
Musicology, Music Theory, or Composition
Non-Performance SMTD electives

Applicants should have taken one semester in French, German, and Italian language prior to enrollment; however, any language deficiencies can be made up prior to or during enrollment at SMTD.

Final Project:

final recital

View Audition/Interview Dates

View Pre-screening Requirements

Courses

SMTD offers a wide variety of courses across all disciplines.

See Courses by Area of Study

Silent Advisor

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

Go to Silent Advisor

Faculty

Kathleen Belcher

Assistant Professor of Music

Opera

Timothy Cheek

Clinical Professor of Music

Abbigail Coté

Lecturer

Opera

Thomas Hampson

Distinguished Visiting Artist in Voice

Amanda Handley Majeski

Assistant Professor of Music

Opera

Freda Herseth

Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music

Stephen Lusmann

Professor of Music

Caitlin Lynch

Assistant Professor of Music

Opera

Rose Mannino

Lecturer

Voice

Stanford Olsen

Professor of Music

Scott Piper

Chair of Voice and Associate Professor of Music; Norma L Heyde Faculty Development Professorship

Kirk Severtson

Clinical Professor of Music

George I. Shirley

Joseph Edgar Maddy Distinguished University Emeritus Professor of Voice

Matthew Thompson

Clinical Assistant Professor of Music

Voice

Louise Toppin

Professor of Music

Daniel Washington

Professor of Music

Stephen West

Professor of Music

Mo Zhou

Assistant Professor of Music

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. For students in theatre & drama, musical theatre, dance, and opera, opportunities abound in both professionally produced and student-run presentations.

Choirs

Students can explore opportunities across a wide array of SMTD and U-M choirs that perform a range of choral works in world-class venues in Ann Arbor and beyond.

Opera

Both undergraduate and graduate students have opportunities to perform in fully produced operas and opera workshops as part of this renowned program.

Early Music Ensembles

Students interested in historically oriented performance have opportunities to explore music from across the centuries, performed on authentic period instruments and high-quality replicas.

Solo & Studio 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.