Master in Music

The Master of Music (MM) Program at Notre Dame de Namur University is recognized as one of the region's outstanding music programs, offering specializations in Piano Performance or Pedagogy, and Voice Performance or Pedagogy.

The program provides a thorough preparation for a professional career in performance and studio teaching. Offered within the School of Arts and Humanities, the MM Program combines valuable educational course and individual instruction by dedicated faculty in addition to remarkable performance opportunities in beautiful venues on the Belmont campus.

NDNU's Master of Music Program attracts students from a broad spectrum of musical backgrounds and international cultures. Some students have just recently finished their bachelor degrees in music, while others are returning to graduate education to enhance their careers or simply to enrich their lives while maintaining careers in other fields

MM alumni have often gone on to distinguished careers in performance, accompaniment, studio and classroom teaching, recording engineering, or other related fields. Others have gone on to other universities or conservatories to pursue doctoral degrees in music.

Distinctions of the NDNU Master of Music Program

• Recognition of Excellence: In addition to the University's accreditation by WASC, the Master of Music program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
• Flexibility: The MM curriculum is designed to be comprehensive, yet offer our students flexibility to adapt to their own needs and goals.
• Performance Opportunities: MM students are involved in performances throughout the year in recitals, classes, orchestra, chamber music, opera, musical theatre, chorus and chamber singers, in addition to the annual Concerto Competition. Students perform in some of the most beautiful and acoustically satisfying facilities in the Bay Area, located on the NDNU campus. These include the 250-seat historic Ralston Ballroom, 615-seat NDNU Theatre, 80-seat Herzo Recital Hall and 300-seat Cunningham Chapel.
• Capstone Experiences: All MM students research, prepare and deliver a Graduate Lecture Recital. They also perform Graduate Final Recitals or present Graduate Final Projects, depending upon their areas of specialty or interest.
• Partial Grants and Financing: Full and part time students may be eligible for a limited number of Music Assistance Grants and limited Teaching Assistantships, in additional to federal and alternative loan programs.

Master of Music Curriculum

The Master of Music program offers concentrations in Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy, Voice Performance, and Voice Pedagogy. See the NDNU General Catalog for degree requirements and course descriptions.

Admission Process

NDNU admits students throughout the year for fall, spring, and summer semesters.  Please review the NDNU General Catalog for complete admission requirements.

Faculty

Debra Lambert,
Chair of the Music and Vocal Arts Department and Assistant Professor of Music-Voice, MM, Hartt School of Music

Michael Schmitz,
Assistant Professor of Music-Piano, DMA, University of Arizona

Thomas Hansen,
Music, MM, University of Michigan

Shulamit Hoffman,
Choral Director, MM Lewis and Clark College

Thomas LaRatta,
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Music-Piano,MM, Chicago Musical College

Henry Mollicone,
History, MM, New England Conservatory

Lois Mussman,
Graduate Theory, DMA, University of Southern California

Current Lecturers:

Barbara Breeden,
Flute, MM, Julliard School of Music

Daniel Glover,
Piano, MM, Julliard School of Music

Eric Kujawsky,
Music, DMA, Stanford University

Frank Markovich,
Music-Computers, BA, San Francisco State University

Hazelle Miloradovitch,
Harpsichord, MA, Stanford University

Eric Morris,
Voice, BM, San Francisco Conservatory

Richard Patterson,
Guitar, MA, San Francisco State University

Jenny Rudin,
Violin, Dip, Tel Aviv Conservatory of Music

Jeannette Sacco-Belli,
Voice, MM, College of Notre Dame

Ellen Shea,
Voice, MA, University of Southern California

Gina Silverman,
Voice, MM, San Francisco Conservatory

Lee Strawn,
Voice, DMA, Eastman School of Music

Atillio Tribuzi,
Trumpet, MA, CSU Hayward

NDNU'S School of Arts and Humanities

Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, NDNU is a multifaceted university offering four bachelor's degrees and over 15 graduate degrees and certificates. The School of Arts and Humanities, under the leadership of the Interim Dean, Dr. Gregory B. White, is composed of the Departments of Art, English, Music, Theatre, Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion, Modern Languages and Cultures, and Physical Education.

Contact:

Debra Lambert, Program Chair
(650) 508-3694 or dlambert@ndnu.edu

Graduate Admissions
Ralston Hall
Tel: (650) 508-3600
Fax: (650) 508-3426
E-mail: grad.admit@ndnu.edu
M – Th 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
F 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.