Overview
Students may pursue the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree in Keyboard Performance. The program is highly selective and competitive, and qualified applicants are eligible to receive graduate awards, such as scholarships or Graduate Teaching Assistantships. Through these opportunities, candidates demonstrate leadership as performers and teachers.
Within this degree program, three recitals of broad keyboard repertoire performed at the highest level of technical mastery and artistic expression are required during the three-year residency. Each candidate must also complete a final doctoral project, choosing from a doctoral essay, lecture recital, capstone fourth recital, or recording project.
The competitive reality of the market for performers has never been more demanding. We are proud that many of our students have gone on to win awards at piano competitions, have been invited to publish in recognized periodicals, and are currently in teaching positions both in the U.S. and abroad.
Our current and past piano students have participated and won prizes at competitions such as:
- Tchaikovsky Competition
- Queen Elizabeth Competition
- Van Cliburn Competition
- Sydney International Piano Competition
- Paderewski Piano Competition
Our mission at the Frost School of Music is to have you join them!
Visit and Like us on our Facebook page where you will see the latest on our current and past students from the Department of Keyboard Performance.
For Graduate admission information and financial support, please click here.
Admission Requirements
On-Campus Programs
Step 1 - Apply
- Apply online through CollegeNET
- Upload a prescreening (if applicable) through SlideRoom – check the Audition/Portfolio Requirements page for specific information
Step 2 - Submit Supplemental Materials
All supplemental materials must be submitted either via email to fsom.graddocs@miami.edu or via US Mail to PO Box 248165, Coral Gables, FL 33124.
- Transcripts – an official transcript from ALL post-secondary schools attended, regardless of if a degree was granted or not, must be sent directly to the Frost School of Music from the issuing institution in order to be considered official
- Applicants with international transcripts, please click here for specific instructions about approved evaluation services
- An official transcript is required for every school attended, even if it was only a single class
- Current University of Miami students applying to a new degree program must provide an official University of Miami transcript
- Three letters of recommendation - sent through CollegeNet as part of application submission. These do not need to be sent separately
- Resume - attached to the application at the time of submission. This does not need to be sent separately
- GRE Score - Please contact your program faculty for specific GRE information
- TOEFL/IELTS Score - Please click here for more specific TOEFL/IELTS information
- Teaching/Conducting Sample
- Writing Sample
- Prescreening/Audition/Interview
- Portfolio
Not all supplemental materials are required for all degree programs. Please see the Degree Program Requirements for specific requirements.
For information regarding specific program requirements, please see Application & Program Requirements.
Applicants are responsible for tracking the status of their application materials and should do so on CaneLink. Please allow at least two weeks for documents to be processed and marked as complete. If you are unable to access your CaneLink account, please check the CaneLink FAQ.
Step 3 - Audition/Interview/Upload Portfolio
Audition - If your program requires an audition, you will be contacted after the December 1st deadline to schedule a date. All performance programs require a prescreening and invitations to audition will be extended to those applicants approved by faculty review. Check the Audition/Portfolio Requirements page for specific requirements. Do not make travel plans until you receive a confirmation email from Frost Admissions.
Interview - If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted by department faculty to schedule a date.
Portfolio - If your program requires a portfolio, please upload it through SlideRoom. Check the Audition/Portfolio Requirements page for specific requirements.
Music, Media, & Industry Application Deadlines
If you are applying to Music Business & Entertainment Industries, Arts Presenting & Live Entertainment Management, JD/MM, or JD/MA programs, the following deadlines apply:
December 1 - International applicants and priority domestic applicants
April 1 - All JD/MM and JD/MA applicants
June 1 - Final application and supplemental materials deadline for domestic applicants
If you are applying to Music Engineering Technology or Media Writing and Production, the following deadlines apply:
December 1 - International applicants and priority domestic applicants
February 1 - Priority portfolio deadline
April 1 - Final application and portfolio deadline - all applications/supplemental materials/portfolios are due by this date
International Applicants
- TOEFL/IELTS - Test scores are required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not received a degree from an accredited English-speaking institution. Additional information can be found under International Applicants.
- Applicants must submit a copy of their passport before a decision can be made. The name on your passport must match the name with which you apply.
If accepted, you will be contacted by the Office of Admission to submit documentation of financial responsibility.
Documents Required
Submit the following educational documents to an approved international credentialing evaluation service:
a) Official original diplomas and certificates in the original language, and
b) Official original transcripts in the original language (names of courses, grades, and hours of instruction) for every year of study.
Documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by professional, certified English translations. Translations supplement but do not replace, the official documents.
Type of Evaluation Required
The Frost School of Music is requiring international applicants to their programs to complete a course-by-course evaluation with GPA.
Where to Submit Documents for Evaluation
Josef Silny & Associates (JS&A), Inc. International Education Consultants, is the preferred evaluation service for international applicants to the University of Miami due to their competitive prices and high-quality service. Please see the Application for Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials for more information.
World Education Services (WES) is the second preferred evaluation service for international applicants to the University of Miami. Click here for more information, including the Application for Evaluation of Foreign Educational Credentials.
Please note that international applicants are not required to use the services of JS&A or WES exclusively, but the University of Miami requires that an international credential evaluation must be done by one of the approved evaluation vendors found on this list.
Evaluation Fee
Applicants are responsible for the evaluation fee.
Submission of Evaluation
The evaluation vendor is required to send all official copies of related documents to:
Frost School of Music
PO Box 248165
Coral Gables, FL 33124-7610
or electronically to:
fsom.graddocs@miami.edu
- Applicants who are applying with a current degree in progress will be required to have their final transcripts and diploma evaluated upon arrival at the Frost School. If applicants use Josef Silny for the initial evaluation, the Frost School will cover the evaluation. If applicants choose a different vendor, they will be responsible for the cost of the re-evaluation.
Decisions
Students are recommended for admission to the Frost School of Music by the faculty and admission committees. Final acceptance to the Graduate program is made after all materials requested by the Frost School of Music have been received and evaluated. Scholarships and/or Assistantships are awarded based on faculty recommendation. Admission decisions are sent out starting in late March.
Application Guidelines
- Applications are accepted for the fall term only
- Applications are accepted for only one degree program
- Graduate applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA for consideration
- Applicants must be in-progress toward completing or have earned the appropriate prior music degree(s) from a regionally accredited institution in order to apply for a graduate level music program. If you are accepted and decide to attend the Frost School, you will be required to provide a final transcript showing a conferred degree.
- The MM in Music Business & Entertainment Industries and the MA in Arts Presenting & Live Entertainment Management do not require prior music degrees. The MS in Music Engineering Technology is open to students who have completed an undergraduate degree in an appropriate engineering/science field.
- Current University of Miami students applying to a new degree program must provide an official University of Miami transcript
- Materials submitted in support of an application cannot be released for other purposes nor returned to the applicant
- For information on where to submit supplemental materials, please see our Contact Information
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Area | ||
| MKP PI7 | Piano (Six semesters at two credits each) | 12 |
| Performance Seminars (two semesters at one credit each) | 2 | |
| Choose from: | ||
| Seminar in Baroque Performance | ||
| Seminar in Classical Performance | ||
| Seminar in Romantic Performance | ||
| Seminar in Contemporary Music | ||
| MKP 791 | Accompanying, Level III (three semesters at one credit each) | 3 |
| Ensemble Elective (an ensemble, chosen in consultation with advisor) | 1 | |
| Creative Activities | ||
| MKP 830 | Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Project Preparation * | 1 |
| MKP 832 | Doctoral Recital (Three recitals at one credit each) | 3 |
| MKP 831 | Doctoral Project (Choose from doctoral essay, lecture recital, capstone fourth recital, or recording project.) * | 8 |
| Allied Music Courses | ||
| Music Theory Electives ** | 6 | |
| MCY 626 | Keyboard Literature I *** | 3 |
| MCY 627 | Keyboard Literature II *** | 3 |
| MCY 728 | Music Bibliography (or other MCY elective) | 3 |
| MED Elective (Choose from): | 1 | |
| Doctoral Seminar | ||
| Teaching Music in College | ||
| Music Electives | 2 | |
| Cognate | 12 | |
| Select 12 credit hours of Cognate/Electives | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
* At the discretion of the Advisor, student may take one additional credit of MKP 830 beyond the requirement and in place of one of the credits for MKP 831.
** One of the MTC courses must be at or above 700, to be taken prior to the completion of the Qualifying Process
*** Students must complete the Keyboard Literature I-II sequence in the 1st year of DMA study to meet the Qualifying Process requirement.
**** Doctoral Qualifying Exams must be complete prior to the defense of the Doctoral Essay/Dissertation proposal.
DMA in MKP
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MKP PI7 | Piano | 2 |
| MCY 626 | Keyboard Literature I | 3 |
| Music Theory Elective * | 3 | |
| Choose one: | 1 | |
| Seminar in Baroque Performance | ||
| Seminar in Classical Performance | ||
| Seminar in Romantic Performance | ||
| Seminar in Contemporary Music | ||
| MKP 791 | Accompanying, Level III | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MKP PI7 | Piano | 2 |
| MCY 627 | Keyboard Literature II | 3 |
| Music Theory Elective OR Cognate/Music Elective * | 3 | |
| MKP 830 | Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Project Preparation | 1 |
| MKP 832 | Doctoral Recital | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| MKP PI7 | Piano | 2 |
| Music Theory Elective OR Cognate/Music Elective | 3 | |
| MCY 728 | Music Bibliography (or MCY Elective) | 3 |
| MKP 791 | Accompanying, Level III | 1 |
| MKP 832 | Doctoral Recital | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MKP PI7 | Piano | 2 |
| Cognate/Music Electives | 3 | |
| Choose one: | 1 | |
| Seminar in Baroque Performance | ||
| Seminar in Classical Performance | ||
| Seminar in Romantic Performance | ||
| Seminar in Contemporary Music | ||
| Ensemble Elective | 1 | |
| MKP 831 | Doctoral Project | 2 |
| MKP 832 | Doctoral Recital | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| MKP PI7 | Piano | 2 |
| Cognate/Music Electives | 4 | |
| MED 780 or 790 | Doctoral Seminar or Teaching Music in College | 1 |
| MKP 831 | Doctoral Project | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MKP PI7 | Piano | 2 |
| Cognate/Electives | 4 | |
| MKP 791 | Accompanying, Level III | 1 |
| MKP 831 | Doctoral Project | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
*At least one MTC course above 700 should be taken prior to completion of the Qualifying Process.
- Two 3-credit MTC courses (in total) are needed to satisfy the requirement. The 2nd MTC course can be taken at any time during the 3-year course of study.
- Doctoral Qualifying Exams must be completed prior to the defense of the DMA project proposal.
- This is a suggested Plan of Study. Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience as well as current course offerings. Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to determine the appropriate course selection.
Mission
The mission of the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Keyboard Performance is to:
- Provide students the highest quality of education available in the areas of piano performance and musicianship that will provide the foundation for a successful teaching career at an institution or private studio, and which could also lead toward a professional performance career as a classical pianist
- To stimulate the student's awareness and artistic creativity in the field of piano performance
- To provide students public performance performance opportunities in a supportive and encouraging environment
- To provide students performance skills necessary for careers in teaching, success at national/international piano competitions, and to further their skills in performance.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will develop technical pianistic skills necessary for fostering a professional career as solo pianists.
- Students will develop musicianship skills and knowledge of a large selection of the piano repertory necessary for fostering a professional career as solo pianists.
- Students will develop performance and artistic presentation skills necessary for fostering a professional career as solo pianists.
- Students will develop the necessary research and writing skills for completing a Doctoral essay.
