MFA

2-Year Program

The MFA Program in Music is designed to enable students to acquire the multiple skillsets that will empower them to stake out their own, unique, career pathways to success. The program of study is designed to be a stimulating and challenging, collaborative learning environment, in which music and sound artists can refine and perfect their already distinctive voices to reach the highest levels of professional practice, while simultaneously exploring new and inspiring, creative territories.

    About the Specialization

    The World Percussion curriculum draws from a broad range of offerings in the School of Music. Students have access to the the African, North Indian, and Balinese and Javanese Specializations, as well as group and private instruction in Latin percussion, Brazilian percussion, Persian percussion, Arabic percussion and the study of frame drums and other hand-drumming traditions from around the world. At the same time students are working in the contexts of traditional world music, they are also focusing on contemporary experiments in performance, composition and improvisation.

    All MFA World Music artists are required to pass a Mid-Residence Recital and a Graduation Jury and Recital in order to obtain the degree.

    Full Curriculum

    View Curriculum Requirements

    Interdisciplinary Opportunities

    In addition to CalArts' rich and diverse community and naturally collaborative atmosphere, the Institute provides several programs of study that can be pursued concurrently with a student's chosen metier.

    Center for Integrated Media

    The Center for Integrated Media concentration is designed specifically for MFA students whose creative use of technology—in particular digital media—goes beyond their primary areas of study.

    Center for Integrated Media

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