Overview
Graduate students seeking a degree in the department of Vocal Performance have already proven themselves to be highly accomplished artists. They come to the Frost School of Music to further hone their skills, to discover new perspectives, and to gain a competitive edge for the next step in their professional careers. Candidates for our advanced degrees in performance, conducting, and pedagogy are leaders in the various programs of the Department of Vocal Performance, and they, in turn, go on to become leaders in their respective areas of specialty. For more information please visit the website for the department of Vocal Performance.
Students in the Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance are accomplished, experienced performers who seek to deepen and expand their musical understanding and abilities, whether their goals are to perform in concert halls or opera houses, or to work as a voice teachers or stage directors. Vocal performance students at all levels work tirelessly to develop and maintain an efficient vocal technique and compelling artistry through study with a voice faculty whose members are established master teachers and performers. Private voice lessons, vocal coaching, lyric diction, and language study are vital components of the degree programs, as are music theory, music history and literature, opera literature, art song repertoire, and vocal pedagogy. Students gain essential stage skills and experience through participation in Frost Opera Theater, which compliments and builds on their work in the voice studio. Many voice students work professionally as members of Seraphic Fire, Florida Grand Opera chorus, and as singers with various performing organizations throughout South Florida. Master classes with some of the world's foremost artists are regularly scheduled. Renee Fleming, Helen Donath, Marilyn Horne, Florence Quivar, and Measha Brueggergosman are among the artists who have recently shared their insights and experiences with our students. Our goal is to prepare you for the next step in your career as a professional singer and/or teacher. Our graduates are singing all over the world--in opera, oratorio, professional choral organizations, musical theater and recital stages--and they teaching in colleges and universities across the country. We look forward to welcoming you as a student to the Department of Vocal Performance at the University of Miami Frost School of Music!
Admission Requirements
All applicants to the Frost School must submit the following items:
· An online application
· Application fee
· Resume
· Three letters of recommendation
· Official transcripts from every post-secondary school attended
This graduate degree program also requires submission of certain supplemental materials, including:
· Prescreen/performance
· Live audition (preferred)
· Conducting sample
· Writing sample
· TOEFL/IELTS score, as applicable
For more detailed information, please visit our Graduate Admission website.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Courses | ||
| MVP VO7 | Voice (6 semesters at 2 credits each) | 12 |
| MVP 652 | Vocal Prfrm Prep (6 semesters at 1 credit each) | 6 |
| MVP 788 | Stagecraft Acting for Opera (3 semesters at 1 credit each) | 3 |
| MVP 680 | Opera Production (or approved ensemble (6 semesters at 1 credit each)) | 6 |
| Creative Activities | ||
| MVP 830 | Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Project Preparation | 1 |
| MVP 831 | Doctoral Project | 8 |
| MVP 832 | Doctoral Recital (3 recitals at 1 credit each) 1 | 3 |
| Allied Music Courses | ||
| Musicology (Art Song Literature and Opera Literature or other MCY courses) | 3 | |
| MTC 717 | Analytical Techniques (or other MTC course) | 3 |
| Performance Seminars | 2 | |
| MED 790 | Teaching Music in College | 1 |
| Cognate/Electives | ||
| Select 12 credit hours of Cognate/Electives | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Students in this degree program take MVP 832 three times, at 1 credit each for a total of 3 credits.
*Doctoral Qualifying Exams must be complete prior to the defense of the Doctoral Essay/Dissertation proposal.
DMA in MVP Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MVP VO7 | Voice | 2 |
| MVP 652 | Vocal Prfrm Prep | 1 |
| MVP 680 | Opera Production | 1 |
| MVP 788 | Stagecraft Acting for Opera | 1 |
| MTC 717 | Analytical Techniques (or MTC Elective) | 3 |
| Cognate/Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MVP VO7 | Voice | 2 |
| MVP 652 | Vocal Prfrm Prep | 1 |
| MVP 680 | Opera Production (or other approved ensemble) | 1 |
| Cognate or Approved Elective | 2 | |
| MCY Elective | 3 | |
| Performance Seminar | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| MVP VO7 | Voice | 2 |
| MVP 652 | Vocal Prfrm Prep | 1 |
| MVP 680 | Opera Production (or other approved ensemble) | 1 |
| MVP 788 | Stagecraft Acting for Opera | 1 |
| MVP 830 | Pre-Candidacy Doctoral Project Preparation | 1 |
| MVP 832 | Doctoral Recital | 1 |
| Cognate or Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MVP VO7 | Voice | 2 |
| MVP 652 | Vocal Prfrm Prep | 1 |
| MVP 680 | Opera Production (or other approved ensemble) | 1 |
| MVP 831 | Doctoral Project | 2 |
| MVP 832 | Doctoral Recital | 1 |
| Cognate/Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| MVP VO7 | Voice | 2 |
| MVP 652 | Vocal Prfrm Prep | 1 |
| MVP 788 | Stagecraft Acting for Opera | 1 |
| MVP 680 | Opera Production (or other approved ensemble) | 1 |
| MED 790 | Teaching Music in College | 1 |
| MVP 832 | Doctoral Recital | 1 |
| MVP 831 | Doctoral Project | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MVP VO7 | Voice | 2 |
| MVP 652 | Vocal Prfrm Prep | 1 |
| MVP 680 | Opera Production (or other approved ensemble) | 1 |
| Cognate/Elective | 2 | |
| Performance Seminar | 1 | |
| MVP 831 | Doctoral Project | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
* 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.
*Doctoral Qualifying Exams must be complete prior to the defense of the Doctoral Essay/Dissertation proposal.
Mission
The mission of the Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance is to provide the terminal degree with advanced, in-depth study in the areas of musicianship and performance practice that will support a professional performance career as a classical singer. The student will be provided performance opportunities to integrate the skills learned in music and other classes and will continue to work in established and new areas of research and creative activities. Each student will continue to develop the skills for writing about music in a scholarly, written format.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate skills as a vocal performer with advanced technical and musical skill that will support a professional career.
- Student will demonstrate performance skills in ensemble that will lead towards a professional stage career.
- Students will demonstrate writing, research, and presentation skills required of a DMA terminal degree.
