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Performance DMA

Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance 

Become an accomplished professional musician and prepare to teach advanced performing arts with a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Performance  in Temple’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. Master your instrument of choice and develop sophisticated music interpretation skills. Performance DMA graduates become educators in higher education and performers in professional music ensembles throughout the world, and they teach in private studios.

The Performance DMA program focuses on 17 instrumental and vocal concentrations. You'll hone your musicianship skills through ensemble opportunities, recitals and rigorous performance training. The curriculum also focuses on a thorough understanding of music analysis, history and theory.

Students take private lessons with the Instrumental Studies Department’s exceptional, highly specialized faculty and guest instructors for invaluable real-world experience. Boyer’s faculty members have performed with The Chamber Music Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Ballet, among others.

As part of Temple’s interdisciplinary Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts, students in the Performance DMA program can grow their musicianship through access to Temple’s state-of-the-art facilities, including ensemble rehearsal spaces, practice rooms and a recording studio.

    Classes & Curriculum

    The required credit hours for the Performance DMA degree are between 54 and 55 credits, depending on which concentration you choose. The culminating event for most concentrations is a final recital and monograph, a written thesis on a focused area of study. Students have seven years to earn the degree.

    Your curriculum will depend on your concentration, although many concentrations require courses such as

    • Doctoral Chamber Music,
    • Final Recital and
    • Performance with Orchestra.

    Learn more about the curriculum for each Performance DMA concentration

    Related Graduate Degrees

    Related Graduate Certificates

    A Boyer College of Music and Dance student plays the harp during rehearsal.

    Tuition & Fees

    In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Doctor of Musical Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

    Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

    Pennsylvania resident: $1,282.00 per credit
    Out-of-state: $1,711.00 per credit

    You can view the full cost of attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

    Additional information

    Our Advisors

    Faculty advisors will help you to shape your coursework and research activities to align with your goals and academic interests.

    Charles Abramovic is the faculty coordinator for the Performance DMA degree program.
    Phone: 215-204-7388
    Email:

    Paul Rardin is the chair of  Vocal Arts.
    Phone: 215-204-4742
    Email: rardin@temple.edu 

    Terell Stafford is the chair of Instrumental Studies and director of Jazz Studies.
    Phone: 215-204-8036
    Email:

    Program Contact

    Charles Abramovic, faculty coordinator, is the program contact for the Performance DMA.
    Phone: 215-204-7388
    Email:

    Joyce Z. Lindorff is the program contact for the DMA in Historical Keyboard Performance program.
    Phone: 215-204-2533
    Email

    Student Clubs & Organizations

    Participating in student groups provides peer support and future professional contacts. There are more than 200 student organizations at Temple University.

    • American Choral Directors Association provides students opportunities to experience choral conducting through guest lectures and rehearsal practice, and offers opportunities to earn practical experience through various regional and state conferences.
    • OWLchestra Community Orchestra is a community string orchestra composed of students and community members who want to play music together in a low-stress environment.
    • Temple University Percussion Club holds educational clinics, events and weekly meetings guided by percussion faculty members and professional percussionists, covering an array of drum-related topics such as percussion gear and marching percussion.

    Learn more about clubs and organizations.

    Concentrations

    This degree program can be completed with or without a concentration. Your concentration options include

    • Voice

      Grow and develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through voice performance under the guidance of faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Double Bass

      Develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through double bass performance, under the guidance of a highly specialized faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Oboe

      Develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through oboe performance, under the guidance of a highly specialized faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Clarinet

      Develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through clarinet performance, under the guidance of a highly specialized faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Viola

      Grow and develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through viola performance under the guidance of faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Percussion

      Develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through percussion performance, under the guidance of a highly specialized faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Trumpet

      Grow and develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through trumpet performance under the guidance of faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Bassoon

      Develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through bassoon performance, under the guidance of a highly specialized faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Flute

      Develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through flute performance, under the guidance of a highly specialized faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Tuba

      Grow and develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through tuba performance under the guidance of faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Violin

      Grow and develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through violin performance under the guidance of faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Trombone

      Grow and develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through trombone performance under the guidance of faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Historical Keyboard

      Grow and develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through performance. Students are expected to achieve the most advanced level of professional experience, knowledge and training in the performance of solo and ensemble music on historical keyboard instruments.

      View Concentration Details
    • Harp

      Develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through harp performance, under the guidance of a highly specialized faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • French Horn

      Develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through French horn performance, under the guidance of a highly specialized faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Piano

      Grow and develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through piano performance under the guidance of faculty.

      View Concentration Details
    • Cello

      Develop the highest and most sophisticated expression of musical interpretation through cello performance, under the guidance of a highly specialized faculty.

      View Concentration Details

    Additional Program Information