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Orchestra performance

Artist Diploma
Instrumental Performance

Application Extended: Still Accepting Applications

Further your technique and musicianship with this post-master’s artist diploma. Designed with flexibility so you can achieve your unique goals, you'll increase the breadth of your repertoire and the depth of your knowledge. You can complete your certificate in just two semesters and graduate prepared to advance your professional performance career.

Orchestra performance

Degree Details

Official Degree Title

Advanced Diploma: Classical Instrumental Performance

Format
Full-time
Credits
18
Start Date
Spring
Application Deadline
Start Date
Fall
Application Deadline

Your course of study will include ongoing development of technique and musicianship, with an emphasis on private lessons, ensemble participation, and preparation for professional auditions and competitions.

The curriculum for the artist diploma offers plenty of opportunities for one-on-one instruction. You'll explore a wide array of styles and forms, culminating in a jury examination. In addition, you'll participate in a variety of performing ensembles and chamber groups directed by leading New York artists.

Deepen your musicianship and your professional knowledge in just one year of full-time study with the Artist Diploma in Jazz Instrumental Performance or the Artist Diploma in Classical Instrumental Performance, which offers four focus areas:

  • Brass Studies
  • Percussion Studies
  • String Studies
  • Woodwind Studies

“The Artist Diploma (AD) is a great opportunity to polish one’s technique after earning an MM,” says Cyrus Beroukhim, music associate professor of string studies. “Many of our students are already actively performing and teaching. You’ll have a flexible curriculum of private lessons and performance classes, plus you’ll play in ensembles and present a final degree recital.”

Hannah Cohen (MM ’21) elected to pursue her Artist Diploma in Violin Performance (String Studies) so she could develop technical mastery through intense one-on-one coaching, with a single year's commitment.

“With the AD, I felt like I had the opportunity to get even more knowledge out of the teachers I was studying with in my master’s,” says Cohen, who is now a sought-after violinist in New York City, working as a freelance performer as well as playing for world-class performing organizations such as the American Ballet Theatre. “If I had tried to go straight from my master’s to working as a professional performer, my technique wouldn’t have been on the same level. Plus, it’s all performance work instead of more theory-based courses, so I was able to work through some kinks in my technique and ultimately transition more easily from the academic world to the professional one.”

When not performing on the New York concert scene, Cohen is engaged with her community, teaching students at City Strings and Piano.

You'll complete your diploma prepared for a vast number of professional opportunities.

Compare All Post-MM Degrees

Questions 

If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact Wayne DuMaine for Brass Studies, Jonathan Haas for Percussion Studies, Stephanie Baer for String Studies, or Meghan Bennett for Woodwind Studies.

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