Master in African Music and Dance (MFA)

California Institute of the Arts, located near Valencia in Southern California, is a leading institution for creative education founded with a legacy of innovation in the arts. CalArts encourages experimental practice across disciplines including art, film, music, theater, dance, and animation, and offers a compact, studio-focused learning environment where students develop original work under the mentorship of practicing artists and industry professionals.

The institute promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning, supporting individual artistic development with cutting-edge studios, performance spaces, and digital labs. Small class sizes and intensive critique-based courses help students refine their voices and build professional portfolios, while visiting artists, festivals, and partnerships provide exposure to the wider creative industry. Academic advising, portfolio coaching, and career development services support transitions to festivals, galleries, studios, and commercial roles.

International students find a welcoming community and opportunities to participate in collaborative projects, residencies, and public exhibitions that elevate their practice. CalArts fosters a culture of experimentation, critical inquiry, and professional networking, making it a strong choice for creative learners who seek rigorous mentorship, cross-disciplinary exploration, and direct engagement with the contemporary arts scene in the United States.

The Master in African Music and Dance is a Master's program for students who want to become experts in music and dance from Ghana. It takes a few years to complete and helps students develop skills like drumming, singing, and dancing.

This program teaches students about traditional music and dance from Ghana, as well as western classical music. Students learn skills like extended techniques, improvisation, and interpretation, and they practice observation and imitation. They also learn about Ghanaian music theory and its cultural context.

After graduating, students can become professional musicians, music teachers, dance instructors, music therapists, or entertainment managers. They can work in schools, theaters, dance companies, or recording studios, and they can perform in front of audiences or teach others about music and dance.