Refine your craft through intensive performance study, individualized mentorship, and meaningful performance opportunities at Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music. The M.M. in Music Performance is designed for musicians seeking advanced artistic development, expanded professional opportunities, and personalized mentorship from accomplished faculty artists.
Students benefit from intensive applied instruction, ensemble experiences, scholarly study, and performance opportunities that prepare them for careers as performers, educators, collaborators, and doctoral students.
Work one-on-one with faculty mentors dedicated to helping you achieve you artistic goals.
Participate in large ensembles, chamber groups, recitals, recordings, and competitions.
Customize your studies through electives and specialized experiences aligned with your interests and career aspirations.
Strengthen your artistry through advanced study that deepens musical understanding and enhances performance and professional skills.
“Studying at the Dana School of Music has given me a much deeper perspective on the significance of a performer’s role in society. Being on stage is like holding up a mirror to the emotions and ambitions of the audience we sing for.”
-Jessyka Moreira-Martins, Master of Music Performance in Voice
Our graduates pursue careers as symphony musicians, university professors, concert soloists, or band or orchestra conductors. We’ve helped launch the careers of countless performers, educators, and scholars who are innovators and leaders with global connections. Our alumni are a creative, dynamic force that may be found performing on the finest stages around the world, earning GRAMMY® Awards, and teaching in conservatories, universities, and schools. Our dynamic Master in Music Performance degree will help you define your future professional goals and prepare you for a successful and enjoyable career.
Dana alumnus Sean Jones performs during his keynote address at YSU’s Fall 2025 Commencement.
✓ 30 credit hours ✓ No entrance exam ✓ No G.R.E.
As a student in the Dana School of Music, you’ll have access to numerous world-class stages and studios. You’ll perform in a variety of exquisite and historic spaces, ranging from an intimate 300-seat hall to a large-scale performance and production venue that seats over 2,300 attendees. You’ll also perform in concerts and recitals in experimental venues, a black box theater, museums, and other nontraditional settings.
The Dana School of Music is home to more than two dozen student bands, orchestras, choral ensembles, chamber music groups, and more.
The 30-credit-hour program combines:
YSU’s Dana School of Music faculty are renowned for their accomplishments as performers and scholars. They’re also passionate and committed pedagogues who are dedicated to helping you reach your full potential.
Students in the Music Performance program study and learn from our internationally acclaimed faculty members. They are respected artist-educators who are dedicated to nurturing you and helping you develop the skills you need to take your place among the world’s finest performers, educators, composers, scholars, audio engineers, music producers, songwriters, and more.
Contact YSU’s Cliffe College of Creative Arts Admissions & Recruitment
330.941.3635 (Phone)
Fall Semester: August 1
Spring Semester: December 1
Summer Semester: April 15
Saturday, January 23, 2027
Saturday, February 13, 2027
Saturday, February 20, 2027
Youngstown State University and the degrees and programs of the Dana School of Music are accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
