Advanced Diploma

Advanced Diploma in Performance

Program Information for Advanced Diploma in Performance

Eastman offers a stand-alone Performance Diploma designed for students who have already completed a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in music. This program allows students to focus intensively on performance studies under the guidance of our distinguished applied faculty. The curriculum emphasizes private instruction, complemented by high-level chamber music and ensemble experiences. Additionally, students can enhance their performance studies by enrolling in practical elective coursework, which is designed to better prepare them for a successful career as professional musicians.

Below, you will find the standard curriculum information. Specific details for concentrations in Concertmaster Studies, Piano Accompanying, or String Chamber Music are provided in the sections that follow.

Pre-requisites: Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field). The Advanced Diploma in Performance is a stand-alone program which cannot be pursued concurrently with a degree program.

Admission requirements include completing the online application with supporting materials and an audition (with pre-screening if necessary). Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree should follow the MM audition requirements for their instrument. Those who have completed a master’s degree should follow the DMA requirements. See audition repertoire requirements and application process for more details.

Core curriculum:

The curriculum is designed so that there are key elements shared by all students regardless of instrument, but maximum flexibility is maintained so that students can design a course of study that focuses on their individual needs.

The core courses for all areas of performance include:

Applied Music Lessons (4 units per semester)
Ensemble (1 unit per semester)
Diploma Colloquium (1 unit per semester)
Performance Project (completed in the final semester of study)

The remaining units for the diploma will be electives, with students expected to register for enough electives each semester to bring them up to at least 9 units per semester. Students in the diploma program will enroll in a limited number of specific elective courses, pre-determined based on their performance area and developed in consultation with each department.

This program offered at a lower (discounted) tuition rate than our degree programs, and is not eligible for scholarship assistance, assistantships or Graduate Awards.

Concentrations

The Advanced Diploma in Performance offers students the opportunity to deepen their expertise through specialized concentrations. These concentrations—Concertmaster Studies, Piano Accompanying, and String Chamber Music—provide focused training tailored to specific areas of performance. Concentrations provide students with a more specialized experience, preparing them for advanced professional opportunities in their chosen field.

Concertmaster Studies Concentration

The Advanced Diploma in Performance – Concertmaster Studies provides intensive and focused study with Juliana Athayde, Associate Professor of Violin and Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) Concertmaster. Solo and orchestral repertoire will be studied in lessons and the program culminates in a capstone project where students perform a mock audition in front of a panel of Eastman School of Music faculty and professional orchestral musicians, demonstrating the qualities and standards required for a professional audition. Additionally, students will serve as leaders of Eastman ensembles, pursue significant professional performance opportunities, shadow Professor Athayde in her role as concertmaster of the RPO, and receive individual mentorship as they prepare for their career.

Pre-requisites: Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field). The Advanced Diploma in Performance – Concertmaster Studies is a stand-alone program which cannot be pursued concurrently with a degree program.

Core curriculum:

The Advanced Diploma in Concertmaster Studies provides intensive and focused study in the area of orchestral playing, audition preparation and execution as well as leadership training, as it relates both on and off stage. The curriculum is designed to prepare the most highly qualified candidates for a career as concertmaster of a professional orchestra.

The core courses for Concertmaster Studies include:

Applied Music Lessons (4 units per semester)
Ensemble (1 unit per semester)
Chamber Music (1 unit per semester)
Concertmaster Seminar Course (1 unit per semester)
Music Leadership Coursework/Electives (1-2 units per semester)
Concertmaster Practicum (1 unit, completed in final semester of study)
Mock Audition Capstone Project (completed in final semester of study)

Students are expected to register for enough electives each semester to bring them up to at least 9 units per semester. Students in this advanced diploma program may enroll in a limited number of specific elective courses, developed in consultation with the program coordinator.

Piano Accompanying Concentration

The Advanced Diploma in Performance – Piano Accompanying Concentration provides intensive and focused study with Andrew Harley, Associate Professor of Collaborative Piano. Students will combine intensive and equal study of instrumental and vocal repertoire, in a uniquely comprehensive training for the professional collaborative pianists of the future.

Pre-requisites: Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field). The Advanced Diploma in Performance Piano Accompanying Concentration is a stand-alone program which cannot be pursued concurrently with a degree program.

Admission requirements include completing the online application with pre-screening and supporting materials and an audition. Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree should follow the MM audition requirements. Those who have completed a master’s degree should follow the DMA requirements. See audition repertoire requirements and application process for more details.

Core curriculum:

The core courses for Piano Accompanying include:

Applied Music Lessons (4 units per semester)
Voice Repertoire for Pianists (2 units: Fall Semester)
Instrumental and Duo Sonata Repertoire (2 units: Spring Semester)
Graduate Seminar or Chamber Music (1 unit per semester)
Electives (1 unit per semester)
Diploma Colloquium (1 unit per semester)
Performance Project (completed in the final semester of study)

Students are expected to register for enough electives each semester to bring them up to at least 9 units per semester. Students in the diploma program will enroll in a limited number of specific elective courses, pre-determined based on their performance area and developed in consultation with each department.

This program offered at a lower (discounted) tuition rate than our degree programs, and is not eligible for scholarship assistance, assistantships or Graduate Awards.

String Chamber Music Concentration

The Paul R. Judy Ensemble Incubator Program, Advanced Diploma in Performance – String Chamber Music Concentration is an intensive one-year tuition-free program designed to help an existing string quartet launch their professional career. The program provides regular coachings and guidance from Eastman’s faculty quartet in residence, the Ying Quartet, performance opportunities on and off-campus, and professional development through Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership and Arts Leadership coursework.

Pre-requisites: Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor’s degree (in any field). The Advanced Diploma in Performance – String Chamber Music is a stand-alone program which cannot be pursued concurrently with a degree program.

Admission requirements include completing the online application with supporting materials, including pre-screening recordings and an audition. See audition repertoire requirements for String Quartet and application process for more details. Each member of the quartet must submit an application for admission, one member should apply as the representative member and upload prescreening recordings.

Core curriculum:

The Advanced Diploma – String Chamber Music is designed to help an existing string quartet launch their professional career. The program provides regular coachings with members of the Ying Quartet, performance opportunities on and off-campus, and professional development through Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership and Arts Leadership coursework.

The core courses include:

Chamber Music Coaching (4 units per semester)
Chamber Music Seminar (1 unit per semester)
Arts Leadership courses (3 units per semester)
Performance Diploma Colloquium (1 unit per semester)
Capstone Project (public performance completed in final semester of study)

The Paul R. Judy Ensemble Incubator Program includes a fellowship that supports a graduate string quartet in residence at the Eastman School of Music. The program includes free tuition and a generous stipend; additional funding support from the John and Mary Celentano Fund.

Residency Requirement, Duration of Study, and Cost of Attendance

The Diploma requires a minimum of 2 semesters of full-time study, with students enrolled in only 9 units per semester. Typical time to completion is one year of full-time study. Complete information about estimated costs can be found here.

Apply now

→ Graduate Admissions Main