Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theater: Musical Theater Vocal Pedagogy

This program is designed for theater actors, singers, and teachers who are committed to helping others develop their voices and performance abilities with healthy practices and techniques. Students who will thrive in this program are inquisitive thinkers, eager to understand the anatomical functions of the human voice and body in various musical styles and genres. This program is especially beneficial for those who wish to develop a language to effectively  communicate pedagogical ideas and concepts with their students, colleagues, and creative collaborators.

This program features a five-semester (60 or more credits) sequence of courses in vocal pedagogy, voice and speech, and acting. Courses include:

• Vocal Pedagogy Seminars
• Acting 
• Voice and Speech
• Repertoire for the Teaching Studio
• History of Musical Theater/Theater
• Academic Research/Dissertation
• Courses in Leadership and Creating Change
• Applied Mentored Teaching
• Applied Voice
• Capstone Recital Performance

Throughout the program, students receive weekly one-one-one lessons with a member of the Conservatory's voice faculty, as well as vocal coaching.

The Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theater: Musical Theater Vocal Pedagogy requires students to complete 60 credits, consisting of the course requirements listed below. View the Sample Curriculum by Semester for additional details.

Applied Voice / Musical Theater / Vocal Pedagogy

• M-PD 5742 Structure and Function of the Singing Mechanism (2 credits)
• M-PD 5743 Repertoire for the Teaching Studio (1 credit)
• M-PD 5751 Foundations of Voice Technique 1 (1 credit)
• M-PD 5752 Foundations of Voice Technique 2 (1 credit)
• M-PD 5753 Aesthetics of Voice Production 1 (1 credit)
• M-PD 5754 Master Teacher Observation and Instruction (1 credit)
• M-PD 6741 Comparative Pedagogy (1 credit)
• M-PD 6751 Aesthetics of Voice Production 2 (1 credit)
• M-PD 6752 Voice Teaching and Logistics Practicum (1 credit)
• M-PD 6753 Musical Theater Repertoire for the Teaching Studio: 30s–60s (2 credits)
• M-PD 6754 Musical Theater Repertoire for the Teaching Studio: 60s–Contemporary (2 credits)
• M-PD 6755 Contemporary Musical Theater Vocal Pedagogy (1 credit)
• M-SK 0009 Recital (0 credit)
• M-SK 0703 Speech to Singing (1 credit)
• T-AP 0301 Musical Theater Repertoire (2 credits total, 1 credit each)
• T-AP 0402 Applied Voice Lessons (8 credits total, 2 credits each)

Acting / Movement / Voice & Speech

• M-PR 70914 Advanced Alexander Technique for Musicians (1 credit)
• T-PR 70914 Alexander Technique for the Actor (1 credit)
• T-ST 0803 Musical Theater Dance (1 credit)
• T-ST 5105 Acting Methods 1 (2 credits)
• T-ST 5106 Acting Methods 2 (2 credits)
• T-ST 5109 Movement Methods 1: Pure Movement/Somatics/Laban (1 credit)
• T-ST 5203 Voice and Speech: Linklater 1 (1 credit)
• T-ST 5204 Voice and Speech: Linklater 2 (1 credit)
• T-ST 5205 Voice and Speech 3: Lessac (1 credit)
• T-ST 6103 Acting Methods 3: Shakespeare and Voice (2 credits)
• T-ST 6105 Viewpoints 1 (1 credit)
• T-ST 6201 Voice and Speech 4: Fitzmaurice (1 credit)

Academics and Electives

• M-PD 5741 History of Vocal Pedagogy (2 credits)
• M-PR 5751 Research and Reading for Theses (1 credit)
• M-PR 6752 Leadership and Transformation: Creating Positive Change (2 credits)
• M-PR 6755 Thesis Writing and Editing (2 credits)
• M-PR 6756 Thesis Revisions and Defense (2 credits)
• M-PR 70916 Advanced Career Skills for Musicians (1 credit)
• T-LT 5303 Graduate Musical Theater History Seminar (3 credits)
• T-LT 5905 Graduate Theater History Seminar (3 credits)
• Xxxxx General electives (3 credits total)

Upon successful completion of the M.F.A. in Musical Theater: Musical Theater Vocal Pedagogy program, students will:

• recognize and accurately diagnose vocal faults in their students and effectively address them employing the tools and skills discovered through the study of structure and function as well as historical and current pedagogical approaches;
• select and assign age- and level-appropriate repertoire to address specific technical challenges in their students;
• research, perform, and appreciate the music of underrepresented composers;
• produce the wide range of sounds required to sing repertoire from throughout the historic music theater canon, understanding the aesthetics of sound that determine appropriate style through the ages;
• explore sound making both for themselves and with their students through the lens of speech teachers such as Linklater, Fitzmaurice, Lessac, as well as the classic vocal pedagogues;
• market and establish themselves whether in developing a private studio or applying for a job in any of a range of industries not limited to but including the educational field and the music theater industry;
• create change in their chosen field drawing on skills developed in Pedagogy Seminars and Leadership and Transition courses as well as while working with a wide range of mentors in academia and the music theater industry;
• spread the use of good music theater singing technique and appropriate repertoire assignment across the globe; and
• envision and create the teaching and artistic life best suited to their personal mission.

With a degree in musical theater vocal pedagogy from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, career options are endless. Whether pursuing performance, teaching, production, or an entrepreneurial endeavor, this program prepares students with a versatile toolkit for success. Example employment opportunities include:

• Actor/singer
• Accent-reduction tutor
• Acting instructor
• Casting director
• Business entrepreneur
• Education administrator
• Movement instructor
• Musical theater teacher
• Private voice instructor
• Talent manager
• Theater director
• Vocal pedagogy instructor
• Voice and speech instructor