Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Voice Studies
Overview
What to expect
The Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance, Voice Studies is a four-year performance degree offering students significant scope for pursuing their individual interests and specializations. Joining a diverse cohort of peers and working closely with pianists in the collaborative piano program, students receive advanced training in voice performance, vocal pedagogy, or a combination of both. They complete courses and seminars totalling five full credits, give three recitals, sit a field examination, write a thesis, and participate in a final oral examination.
Why it stands out
Students are taught and mentored by distinguished faculty with wide-ranging expertise. The program provides singers regular opportunities to gain performance experience and exposure in significant venues. Students receive guaranteed funding and access to paid positions as teaching assistants in relevant areas.
Who it's for
Chamber, choral, historical music, or opera singers seeking to hone their performance and/or pedagogical skills and to research a significant question in the field are ideal candidates for this program.
Outcomes
Opportunities for study
Students benefit from the exceptional breadth and depth of course offerings provided by a faculty that is truly a comprehensive school of music. Opportunities for students include engaging with visiting singers of national and international renown during our annual Singing Year voice studies series.
Opportunities after graduation
Graduates typically pursue careers as artist-teachers. This degree qualifies them to perform on recital or opera stages and to teach in university and other institutional settings, including community music schools. Graduates also sometimes assume leadership roles in related fields in the arts.
Postgraduate opportunities
Students qualify to apply for post-doctoral positions at the University of Toronto or other universities.
Curriculum
Courses Details and Credit RequirementsCore Courses
The program’s core consists of individual instruction in the student’s primary performance medium (totalling two full credits) in preparation for three recitals candidates are required to perform during their program. Required courses also include a seminar on performance-related topics (one full credit) and a preliminary independent research project (a 0.5 credit) conducted under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
Specialization
Students have options for specializing in voice performance, vocal pedagogy, or a combination of the two. Vocal pedagogy is a particular strength of the faculty.
Electives
Students choose a one-credit course and a 0.5-credit course from a range of performance-related graduate seminars.
Other Requirements
Students must complete a language requirement, major field exam, three recitals, and a thesis consisting of original research related to their performance specialization.
Admission Requirements
Complete information on requirements for admission can be found on the Application Materials page.
How to Apply
Complete information on how to apply can be found on the Graduate Applying page.
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