Master in Performer-Composer (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 Performer-Composer program at California Institute of the Arts is a Master's degree for advanced musician-composers. This 2-year program helps students integrate composition and performance in their work.

The curriculum offers resources to help students develop their creative vision, express their ideas in various forms, and contextualize their work within different aesthetic perspectives. Students immerse themselves in music-making, using musical, spoken, written, recorded, and various media forms to express their ideas.

Graduates can pursue careers as Music Composers, Performer-Composers, Music Producers, Arrangers, and Conductors. They can work in the music industry, with companies like Sony Music, in film and television, and with orchestras, such as the New York Philharmonic.