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Curriculum

MM, Vocal Performance: Classical Voice

How to Apply

As a Master’s student, you’ll build on technique and repertoire with our renowned faculty.  You'll explore courses in opera studies and lyric diction and receive private instruction from our faculty. You'll work closely with our renowned instructors and participate in fully staged productions, benefiting from the guidance and feedback of working theatre and opera professionals.  In NYU Steinhardt’s unparalleled facilities, you’ll develop your personal artistry while acquiring the skills to succeed after graduation.  

Core Course Sequence

All courses provide strong foundational technique to support your career in whatever area of voice performance you choose.  In addition to coursework in opera and repertoire, you’ll take coursework in diction, acting, and movement, with an opportunity to refine your craft in one-on-one private instruction.  You can choose from guided electives, with the support of our faculty mentors, in areas of your personal interest.

Sample Elective Courses

Students can take a variety of classes throughout the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, collaborating with the programs in Music Business, Music Technology, Screen Scoring and Songwriting.

Culminating Experience

As your terminal degree experience, you will perform a graduate recital. You must be able to demonstrate a technical foundation in vocal production that will allow your voice to evolve in an efficient and healthy manner throughout the years that follow your training at NYU Steinhardt. In addition, you must demonstrate a respect for the value of the text, and the words and the sounds of the music in combination. Degree recitals are held in Steinhardt’s world-class performance venues and recorded to provide an archival document of professional quality. 

Course Title Credits
Requirements
Vocal Performance Core
MPAVP-GE 2111Vocal Training (Private Lessons) 19
MPAVP-GE 2112Vocal Coaching: Advanced 23
MPAVP-GE 2141Graduate Acting for Singers I2
MPAVP-GE 2142Graduate Acting for Singers II2
MPAVP-GE 2151Script Analysis and Dramaturgical Process2
Classical Voice Specialization
MPAVP-GE 2222Opera Studies I: European Opera; Origins through the 18th Century2
MPAVP-GE 2223Opera Studies II: European Opera; The 19th Century2
MPAVP-GE 22xxOpera Workshop 33
Song Repertoire
Select two of the following:2
MPAVP-GE 2261
Song Repertoire:English
MPAVP-GE 2262
Song Repertoire:German
MPAVP-GE 2263
Song Repertoire:Italian Spanish
MPAVP-GE 2264
Song Repertoire:French
Dance Electives
2 credits by advisement: 2
MPAVP-GE 2123
Beginning Ballet
MPAVP-GE 2124
Beginning Modern Dance Techniques
MPAVP-GE 2125
Jazz Dance Technique
MPAVP-GE 2126
Tap Dance
MPAVP-GE 2127
Music Theatre Dance
MPADE-GE 2025
Hip Hop Dance Culture
Culminating Experience
MPAVP-GE 2121Colloquium in Music and Music Education2
MPAVP-GE 2122Recital1
Total Credits32
1

Students take this 3 credit course three times for a total of 9 credits.

2

This course is taken concurrently with Recital.

3

Students complete 1 credit each semester for 3 semesters.

Students must demonstrate proficiency in Italian Diction, English Diction, German Diction, and French Diction through a diagnostic exam or the completion of appropriate coursework in addition to degree requirements. 

Students must demonstrate proficiency in Music Theory, Aural Skills, and Music History through a diagnostic exam or the completion of appropriate coursework to degree requirements.

Students perform a voice jury at the end of two semester of private voice study to determine readiness to participate in Master's Recital. 

Students must earn a minimum of a B in any MPAVP-GE course in order for the credits for that course to count toward the degree.

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
MPAVP-GE 2111 Vocal Training (Private Lessons) 3
MPAVP-GE 2151 Script Analysis and Dramaturgical Process 2
MPAVP-GE 2221 Opera Workshop 1
MPAVP-GE 2141 Graduate Acting for Singers I 2
Dance Elective 1
 Credits9
2nd Semester/Term
MPAVP-GE 2111 Vocal Training (Private Lessons) 3
MPAVP-GE 2221 Opera Workshop 1
MPAVP-GE 2222 Opera Studies I: European Opera; Origins through the 18th Century 2
MPAVP-GE 2142 Graduate Acting for Singers II 2
Dance Elective 1
 Credits9
3rd Semester/Term
MPAVP-GE 2111 Vocal Training (Private Lessons) 3
MPAVP-GE 2221 Opera Workshop 1
MPAVP-GE 2223 Opera Studies II: European Opera; The 19th Century 2
Song Repertoire 1
 Credits7
4th Semester/Term
MPAVP-GE 2112 Vocal Coaching: Advanced 3
MPAVP-GE 2121 Colloquium in Music and Music Education 2
Song Repertoire 1
MPAVP-GE 2122 Recital 1
 Credits7
 Total Credits32

Placement Exams

  • Music Theory and Aural Comprehension
  • Music History

Placement exams are given before the start of the first semester. For each exam, or part of an exam, that you do not pass you will be assigned an undergraduate course. Any undergraduate review courses you are required to take do not count toward the 32 points required for the degree.

Registration for Private Voice Instruction is required for each semester that you are enrolled on a full-time basis (12 credits or more). A minimum of three semesters is required for the degree.

Voice Jury

At the end of two semesters of private voice study you are required to perform a voice jury. You must prepare a minimum of six (6) songs and must demonstrate that you are making vocal progress and are covering sufficient repertoire to enable you to prepare your Master’s Recital.

Note: Vocal Performance majors must provide their own accompanists for lessons, juries, and recitals. Accompanists can be found through the program, and there are often accompanists already associated with particular voice studios.

Minimum Grade Requirement

Students must earn a minimum of a B in any MPAVP-GE course in order for the credits for that course to count toward the degree.

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