The D.M.A. program is designed for performers who have already reached a high level of proficiency and artistry in their fields and who may wish to teach at the university level. This program offers an opportunity to bring creative and performance achievement to a high level while enriching individual backgrounds with academic studies, including specialized training in music history and theory, and other areas. Candidates in music performance are expected to pursue supplementary individual projects in performance practice and music literature. Studies in music theory and music history are included.
For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website
The Voice and Opera Divisions offer many academic, performance and study opportunities.
The Opera Division is now presenting three main productions with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra at UBC every season, four Opera Tea Concerts, two Singer Behind the Song events where international stars of opera present a short recital, give an interview and conduct a masterclass with our students. As a connection to our community and future employers of our students, there are engagements with local community partners, including Vancouver Opera, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Bard on the Beach, and Vancouver Bach Choir. Yearly collaborative summer productions and tours with the European Music Academy in the Czech Republic, Opera Galas with the JK Tyl Opera House in Plzen, Czech Republic, operatic concerts for the Musikalischer Damenclub in Nürnberg, Germany, as well as occasional operatic concert tours to Asia, enrich the educational experience of our students. Doctoral students Will also participate in the Song Interpretation courses, Contemporary Players, Early Music Ensemble or Chamber Music to broaden their experience and assist them in preparation for their recital performances. DMSA students may choose to concentrate on a DMA with a concentration in operatic performance or with a concentration in Voice Performance. Both streams require performances in recitals and opera as well as rigorous academic courses in theory, musicology or ethno-musicology. The goal is to prepare the DMA candidate for a superior performance and academic career. Interdisciplinary research and collaborative performance projects are encouraged within the School or in the broader university environment.
Applicants for the DMA in Voice cannot be admitted to the program without an in-person audition. Applicants who live at a significant distance from Vancouver can submit a pre-screening video audition by December 15 to determine whether a live audition is recommended by UBC Music faculty.
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:
Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.
Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.
Minimum requirements for the three most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:
Overall score requirement : 4.5
Reading
4.5
Writing
4.5
Speaking
4.0
Listening
5.0
Overall score requirement : 90
Reading
22
Writing
21
Speaking
21
Listening
22
Overall score requirement : 6.5
Reading
6.0
Writing
6.0