Doctor of Musical Arts

The Doctor of Musical Arts at Waikato focuses on both performance and research. You'll be immersed in musical works that have artistic and creative integrity. Your performance of these works will be backed up by a written thesis that sets out your own independent research.

If you're passionate about musical performance – the Doctor of Musical Arts is the doctoral degree for you. If your interests relating to music are more in the areas of composition, research-based musicology, multimedia work, music technology or electroacoustic music, then consider enrolling in the Doctor of Philosophy instead. While working towards your doctoral degree, you'll spend half your time doing performances based on your research, and the other half putting your written thesis together. You'll perform every week, and during these performances, you'll demonstrate to your supervisor what you've learned from your research. At Waikato, your supervisors are leading musicians and you'll be able to use a state-of-the art performing arts venue for your practical lessons.

The Waikato Doctor of Musical Arts sets you up with the skills you'll need to turn your passion for musical performance into a career, whether that be as a solo artist, a chamber or orchestral musician, an accompanist, recording artist or repetiteur. You might prefer to use the skills you've learned in a different way, and work in either radio or print music journalism. You might also want to share what you have learned during your programme and take on a teaching role, either as a performer-academic working in the tertiary area or as an instrument or vocal teacher.