Bachelor's in Strings (BFA)

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is a prestigious institution renowned for its comprehensive arts education and innovative programs. With a strong emphasis on creativity and experimentation, CalArts provides students with a platform to explore their artistic interests and develop their unique creative voices. At CalArts, students are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and push the boundaries of traditional artistic practices. The university boasts a faculty of experienced artists and industry professionals who provide valuable guidance and mentorship to students, nurturing their artistic development and helping them thrive in their chosen fields. With its vibrant artistic community, state-of-the-art facilities, and a focus on fostering a culture of artistic innovation, California Institute of the Arts continues to be a leading institution for aspiring artists seeking to make a meaningful impact in the creative world.

The Music BFA program offers a broad and rigorous general musical education alongside highly individualized lesson instruction and mentoring. All undergraduate students engage in intensive shared training in musical techniques and concepts spanning classical, jazz, popular, electronic, and experimental styles, and both Western and non-Western musical cultures. They will graduate with experience in creating original work, ensemble performance, music notation and theory, professional development, and artistic metiers outside of music. Undergraduate students of violin, viola, cello and contrabass hone their skills through major lessons, string workshops and performance forums. Intensive ensemble work takes place in various chamber groups and conducted large ensembles, including the School’s principal conducted faculty-student group, The Ensemble at CalArts. The curriculum surveys Western classical music from the medieval to the modern, as well as contemporary styles, diverse musical cultures, improvisation, digital media and interdisciplinary performance. Classes in composition, creative skills and pedagogy are also incorporated.