The Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Performance draws from the vast course offerings of the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions at NYU Steinhardt. As the terminal post-master's degree in music performance, it is the final step towards embarking on a career, not only in higher education but also in the music industry and world of cultural policy.
Through the DMA in Music Performance, you’ll refine your knowledge of music literature and history, music theory, and pedagogy, as well as historical and contemporary performance practices. You will additionally gain fluency in a secondary and complementary field of study that will contribute to your professional expertise and advancement.
Immersed in New York City’s world-class music scene and its lively artistic community, you will be mentored by a renowned faculty: elite performers and scholars with unparalleled experience. You’ll have unique access to a wide range of courses across disciplines to individualize your studies, as well as state-of-the-art performance, rehearsal, practice, and recording spaces.
While scholarships are not available for this degree, performance programs may appoint DMA students as adjunct instructors for non-major lessons. Depending on the needs of the program, teaching non-major lessons may provide both significant income and the experience of honing one's teaching skills in a practical setting. Feel free to reach out to your performance program for more information.
Official Degree Title
Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Performance
Degree
DMA
Application Deadline
Fall Start:
December 1
Plan Code
MUSP
Subplan Code
INP
(Instrumental Performance)
JAZ
(Jazz)
PIA
(Piano)
VOC
(Vocal Performance)
Credits
36 - 45
Format
Full-time
Contact
Program Information
212-998-5424Program Contacts
Instrumental Performance
Brass Studies
mpap-brass-studies@nyu.edu
Percussion Studies
mpap-percussion-studies@nyu.edu
String Studies
mpap-string-studies@nyu.edu
Woodwind Studies
mpap-woodwind-studies@nyu.edu
Admissions Requirement
Basic competence in music theory and history is a prerequisite for all graduate degree programs in music. Entering graduate students are required to complete a music theory entrance exam and meet history coursework requirements. Based on exam results and review of the student's transcript, up to 8 points of remedial music theory and/or history coursework may be required. Remedial courses cannot be used to meet degree requirements. Detailed information about department music theory and history entrance requirements is available here.
Applicants must have a master's degree in music performance from an accredited higher education institution.
The Admissions Committee uses three criteria in assessing application materials, each of which has multiple measures: display of musical talent and accomplishment; foundation of musical knowledge; and alignment with the mission, research interests and artistic practices of our Department.
How to Apply
These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, please read the special instructions for international applicants.
Your application will require the following items. The following are acceptable document types for uploads: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .doc, .docx, and bitmap.
1. Prepare Your Application Materials
Résumé/CV
You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.
Statement of Purpose
Upload a statement of purpose (maximum of four pages) that discusses your knowledge and expertise, interests, and professional experiences as they relate to pursuing the DMA and your areas of primary and secondary fields of study.
Letters of Recommendation
Submit three letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions.
Scholarly Writing
Upload to the Writing Sample section of the application two graduate-level documents that demonstrate fluency in writing about music or the related arts. Recent samples are recommended.
Prescreen/ Audition/ Portfolio
For specific audition or portfolio requirements and how to schedule an audition date after you have applied, contact your area of focus.
Brass
Prescreen: no
Final Audition: live or video over GetAcceptd
All applicants are required to complete the audition form to sign up for a live audition. If you are unable to attend a live audition, please be sure to select the appropriate option and submit your video recording via Get Acceptd.
Audition dates:
- January 24, 2026
- February 28, 2026
- March 1, 2026
Please prepare the following for your audition:
Trumpet:
- Exposition from Hummel or Haydn Trumpet Concertos
- A movement from a solo work of your choice
- One musically contrasting etude of choice
- Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition repertoire
- Major scales covering one to two octaves if possible
- Possible major and minor scales in all keys, sight-reading, and transposition
Horn:
- Exposition of a Mozart or Strauss concerto
- One movement of a standard solo work
- Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition
- Possible sight-reading and all major and minor scales
Tenor Trombone:
- One technical etude by from one of the following books by Bitsch, Blazhevich or an equivalent in difficulty
- One movement from a major solo work from the standard solo literature.
- Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition
- Possible sight-reading and all major and minor scales
Bass Trombone:
- Two contrasting etudes showing the applicant’s level of technical and musical advancement.
- One movement of a solo work from the standard solo literature.
- Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition repertoire
- Possible sight-reading and all major and minor scales
Euphonium & Tuba:
- One movement from two solo works from the standard solo literature.
- 6-8 contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition repertoire (tuba candidates only)
- One technical etude that showcases the applicant’s level of technical and musical proficiency (euphonium applicants only)
- Major scales covering one to two octaves if possible
- Possible sight-reading
Jazz
Portfolio over GetAcceptd, no live audition
Applicants music submit a portfolio of their work via GetAcceptd including recordings, scores, and two samples of academic writing.
Piano (Pre-Screening Requirements)
Prescreen: GetAcceptd
Final Audition: live
Prepare a 60-minute free program, showing technical, interpretive, and expressive strengths. Part of the repertoire should relate to a proposed area of research and performance specialization.
Applicants must submit a pre-screening video via GetAcceptd. Select applicants will be invited for a live audition and interview. The audition should contain the same repertoire as the pre-screening video.
Live auditions will take place January 17 and January 24, 2026
Percussion
Prescreen: no
Final Audition: live or video over GetAcceptd
Audition Dates:
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Friday, February 27, 2026
Sunday, March 1, 2026
If you are unavailable for the audition dates above, additional dates can be scheduled on a case-by-case basis with Professors Jonathan Haas, jonathan.haas@nyu.edu and Sean Statser, sjs512@nyu.edu.
Marimba
Prepare one major work from the four-mallet solo marimba repertoire
Snare Drum
Prepare one solo from Delécluse's "12 Studies for Snare Drum”
Timpani
Prepare one solo by Elliot Carter
Multiple Percussion
Prepare one major solo from the percussion repertoire (optional for undergraduate applicants)
Chamber Music
Prepare Metric Lips (Marimba 1) - You will play this in your audition with members of the NYU Percussion Ensemble
Strings (Pre-Screening Requirements):
Prescreen: GetAcceptd
Final Audition: live or video over GetAcceptd
The program in String Studies requires a pre-screening video to be submitted via GetAcceptd which is due no later than December 1. Invitations to live auditions will be sent approximately 2 -3 weeks after December 1. For further information about the DMA., please contact Dr. Cyrus Beroukhim, csb5@nyu.edu.
Violin, Viola, and Cello
Prepare one movement of work by J.S.Bach and a movement of a concerto.
Bass and Harp
Prepare two contrasting movements.
Strings (Final Audition)
Live auditions will take place on Friday, January 16th, Friday, February 27th, Saturday, February 28th, and Sunday, March 1st. Applicants submitting the final audition by video must submit the entire program via GetAcceptd.
Prepare:
- A complete concerto from the standard repertoire
- A complete sonata from the standard repertoire
- A complete Bach suite, sonata or partita
- A work written after 1960, preferably by a living composer
Voice Performance
Prescreen: GetAcceptd
Final Audition Dates: live
- Saturday, January 24, 2026 (10:00am-1:00pm)
Voice Performance (Western Concert Repertoire, Pre-Screening Requirements)
Applicants must prepare two memorized selections including:
- Prepare and memorize one aria (operatic or concert).
- Prepare and memorize one art song.
The pre-screening selection should include two different languages chosen from Italian, German, French, and English.
Voice Performance (Western Concert Repertoire, Final Audition)
Prepare and memorize:
- One German Lied.
- One French mélodie.
- One English or American art song.
- One additional selection in any language (selected from Western concert music, music theatre, and/or popular music).
Voice Performance (Music Theatre, Pre-Screening Requirements)
Prepare two memorized selections including one selection written before 1965 and one selection written after 1965. The pre-screening submission should represent your ability to sing with contrasting vocalism and balanced registration.
Voice Performance (Music Theatre, Final Audition)
Prepare and memorize:
- One music theatre selection written before 1965.
- One music theatre selection written between 1965 and 1990.
- One music theatre selection written after 1990.
- One pop/rock selection (from outside the music theatre repertoire).
- Two additional selections (selected from Western concert music, music theatre, and/or popular music)
Woodwinds Studies (Pre-Screening Requirements)
The Woodwind Studies program requires a prescreening video to be submitted through GetAcceptd. A pianist is not required for the prescreening video.
Flute
- Two contrasting selections (selections may include an individual movement from different works or single movements works)
Oboe
- Two contrasting selections (selections may include an individual movement from different works or single movements works)
Clarinet
- Two contrasting selections (selections may include an individual movement from different works or single movements works)
Bassoon
- Two contrasting selections (selections may include an individual movement from different works or single movements works)
Saxophone
- Two contrasting selections (selections may include an individual movement from different works or single movements works)
Woodwinds Studies (Live Audition)
Invitations to schedule a live audition will be sent by January 2026. A pianist is not required for the live audition.
Live Audition Dates:
Saturday, February 21, 2026 and Sunday, February 22, 2026
Flute
- Three complete works (including a work from an underrepresented composer) representing a variety of styles
Oboe
- Two movements of a sonata from the standard repertoire
- First or last movement from a standard concerto and/or other virtuosic solo piece
- Two contrasting orchestral excerpts
Clarinet
- Two full works (concerto or sonata) from different time periods
- A work by an underrepresented composer
- Three orchestral excerpts
Bassoon
- Two movements of a sonata from the standard repertoire
- First or last movement from a standard concerto and/or other virtuosic solo piece
- Two contrasting orchestral excerpts
Saxophone
- Two movements of a sonata from the standard repertoire
- First or last movement from a standard concerto and/or other virtuosic solo piece
Music Theory Diagnostic Exam
DMA applicants are required to complete the music theory diagnostic exam online as part of the application process. Applicants auditioning on or before Sunday, February 1st, including jazz applicants submitting portfolios, must complete the theory exam by Monday, December 1st. Applicants auditioning after February 1st must complete the theory exam by Sunday, February 15th. Please note that we cannot extend the DMA application deadline for students who have not completed the exam on time. Further details will be provided upon your DMA application submission. Please consult our FAQ page for a full breakdown of the exam, including timing information and technical requirements.
Sub-Specialization
Students choose from the following sub-specialization areas: music technology, music business, performing arts administration, music theory, screen scoring, concert composition, vocal pedagogy or jazz composition. Students generally confirm their sub-specialization by advisement, after matriculation to the degree. Students pursuing a sub-specialization in music theory, music technology, screen scoring or concert composition may be asked to satisfy additional requirements post admission. Admitted applicants who wish to confirm one of these sub-specialization areas prior to matriculation may contact Cyrus Beroukhim for portfolio and/or transcript review.
Transcripts
List and upload a copy of an official transcript from every postsecondary institution (college/university) you have attended or are attending. Please note: This includes transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credits or did not complete a degree. Make sure to request an official transcript(s) in advance of the deadline.
- Transfer Credits: We understand accepted transfer credits may be clearly listed on your degree awarding institution’s transcript. The Office of Graduate Admissions still requires a transcript from the initial credit-granting institution where you took the course(s). Delay in listing and uploading these transcripts can significantly delay the application review process.
Institutions Outside the US or Canada
If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES, ECE or TEC/SpanTran international credentials evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.
GRE
Not required.
Proficiency in English
See testing requirements.
2. Apply
Application
After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application. Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.
Application Fee
You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our fee waiver policy.
Sending Materials
Most application materials can be successfully submitted via the online application.
If you plan to send application materials, transcript(s) or international credentials evaluation(s) to NYU Steinhardt Office of Graduate Admissions, please review these instructions. Materials sent to other divisions of NYU may not be obtainable by our office and will significantly delay processing.
Application Policies
Application deadlines are "in-office" deadlines, not postmark deadlines. It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.
Please check the online system to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application. Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the admissions committee has made its decision.
Deferral policy: NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendations, by the application deadline.
3. Receive Your Admission Decision
Decision
You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late March or early April for fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid and Cost of Attendance
- Learn more about what financial aid may be available to you.
- Learn more about cost of attendance and tuition and fees.