Music and Performing Arts Professions

Cultivate your skills in music composition, education, and performance as you explore some of the world’s most enchanting cities. Courses are taught by celebrated musicians and scholars and are offered by the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at NYU Paris, NYU Prague, and NYU Abu Dhabi so you can stay on track with your major as you learn in a new cultural context. As a music student, you will draw on the rich musical traditions of Europe and engage with the contemporary music scene to create new and exciting works of your own. Through academic excursions, you’ll learn more about your host country’s unique culture and musical history. Internship and volunteer opportunities are also available if you want to gain practical experience in the industry and a deeper understanding of how globalization influences today’s music.

Study at NYU ABU DHABI

In the NYUAD Arts Center students can work on projects and learn contemporary techniques in music production and technology using state-of-the art recording studios, attend educational workshops, access performance and project spaces, engage with world-renowned artists, and participate in undergraduate research projects through student assistantships. Students are connected with local and regional music and media scenes in the UAE, MENA, East Africa, and India through artist visits, field trips, and other opportunities. Classes at NYUAD have an average size of 14. Students come from over 115 countries. 

Music Theory Courses 

• MUSIC-UH 1001 Music Theory & Analysis I 
• MUSIC-UH 2801 Music Theory & Analysis II (Spring only) 
• MUSIC-UH 1004 Music: Histories and Historiography 1 (Spring only) 

Music Technology Courses 

• MUSIC-UH 1002 Music Technology Fundamentals 
• MUSIC-UH 3411 Mixing & Mastering Techniques (Fall only) 
• MUSIC-UH 3417 Computational Approaches to Music and Audio II 
• MUSIC-UH 2416 Recording and Production Techniques (Spring only) 
• MUSIC-UH 2418 Immersive Audio Storytelling for Motion Picture (Spring only) 

Music Business Courses 

• BUSOR-UH 1003 Management & Organizations (Fall only) 
• BUSOR-UH 1501 Introduction to Accounting 
• SOCSC-UH 1010Q Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences 
• ECON-UH 2411 Technology & Economic Development (Spring only) 

Music Practice Electives 

• Group Music Instruction- clarinet, flute, oud, piano, saxophone, violin 
• Individual Music Instruction- composition, vocal performance, specific instrument 

Music Studies 

• MUSIC-UH 1611x Arab Music Cultures (Minor: Music in Global Communities) 
• MUSIC-UG 1620J African Music & the Global Order of Time (Minor: Music in Global Communities) 
• CCEA-UH 1097 Music: Conflict, Protest, & Peace (Minor: Music in Global Communities) 
• MUSIC-UH 2665 Global Jazz

Students have access to coursework that fulfills foreign language and liberal arts core requirements. Students also have access to the NYUAD Career Development Center (CDC) to seek internship opportunities and career advice, join Student Interest Groups (SIGs), or volunteer time in various programs through the Office of Community Outreach. Additionally, students can benefit from the facilities of the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center, and the athletics and fitness centers.

Study at NYU Paris

Study music in Paris, one of the cultural capitals of the world and a city renowned for its music scene. In addition to music courses at NYU’s academic center on the Left Bank, you will have the opportunity to study at IRCAM, the Institut de Recherche et de Coordination Acoustique/ Musique, an organization famous for its research, innovation, and experimentation in electronic music and acoustics. You can also participate in workshops, concerts, and lectures during your time in Paris.

Core Courses

• Aural Comprehension in Music II, III, and IV 
• Keyboard Skills II, III, and IV 
• Music History II: Baroque and Classical 
• Music History III: 19th-Century Music
• Music Music History IV: 20th-Century Music
• Music Music Theory II, III, and IV 

Ensemble Courses 

• Chamber Ensembles 
• Jazz Ensembles 

Private Instruction Courses 

• Brass Instruments 
• Music Composition 
• Percussion Instruments 
• Piano 
• String Instruments 
• Vocal Training 
• Wind Instruments 

Music Business Course 

• Global Music Trends Analysis (online) 

Music Technology Course 

• Sound Design and Spatialization

Study at NYU PRAGUE

Hone your musical skills in Prague, a major training ground for some of the finest jazz and classical performers in Europe and a hub for the music and film-music industries. You can also intern at concert halls, record labels, recording studios, television and radio stations, theatres, and management companies to gain real-world experience. Throughout the semester, you have the opportunity to go on academic and cultural excursions, including a two-day trip to Vienna, a city famous for its many great native composers.

Core Courses

• Aural Comprehension in Music II, III, and IV
• Keyboard Skills II, III, and IV
• Music History II: Baroque and Classical
• Music History III: 19th-Century Music
• Music History IV: 20th-Century Music
• Music Theory II, III, and IV

Ensemble Courses

• Chamber Ensembles
• Jazz Ensembles

Private Instruction Courses

• Music Composition
• Percussion Instruments
• Piano
• String Instruments
• Vocal Training
• Wind Instruments

Music Business Course

• Global Music Trends Analysis (online)

Music Education Courses

• Foundations of Music Education
• Fundamentals of Conducting

Music Technology Course

• Electroacoustic Composition: Techniques of Computer Music Synthesis
• Sound Design

Further Opportunities

NYU Shanghai offers a variety of courses in music theory and practice. Courses offered at NYU Shanghai may not automatically count as major or minor equivalents. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic adviser to discuss their major requirements and degree progress.

Business and Economics

Music Business majors should confer with their academic adviser as to the possible use of business and economics courses to satisfy their program of study requirements. A list of courses is available on the NYU Global Programs website.

Teaching Observations

All Music Education and Educational Theatre majors are required to complete hours of observations each semester in a teaching setting pursuant to teacher certification regulations. These teaching observations are completed before student teaching and do not include any student teaching activities. Music and theatre teaching venues conducted in English are available. Teaching-observation placements are administered by the NYU staff in Paris and Prague. Permission from the Steinhardt music education or educational theatre faculty is required.

Course offerings at all global locations are subject to change and can vary by semester. Not all course options are available to all students. See NYU Global Programs for the most up-to-date information.

Student Life

On-site staff provide support for you during your time abroad. Orientation, trips, student clubs, and language exchanges throughout the semester help you connect with your host culture. Housing varies by location and is guaranteed to all students.