African American Improvisational Music

Degree Programs:  MFA

Students in this specialization are trained to be creative performers who approach music and artmaking from a variety of angles and contexts, including musical, theoretical, historical, sociological, philosophical and interdisciplinary perspectives. The curriculum emphasizes immersive experiences in improvisation, composition, performance and collaboration—all of which combine to lay the foundation for new and holistic creative work. Students are especially encouraged to explore and research the ways in which innovative improvised music is connected with experimental practices in dance, theater, literature and film. This challenging specialization leads to the completion of a body of original work that includes a major performance, a professional-level portfolio, and a thesis. Each student's work is closely reviewed by faculty throughout his or her course of study.