Master's in Guitar (MFA)

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 MFA Program in Music is designed to enable students to acquire the multiple skillsets that will empower them to stake out their own, unique, career pathways to success. The program of study is designed to be a stimulating and challenging, collaborative learning environment, in which music and sound artists can refine and perfect their already distinctive voices to reach the highest levels of professional practice, while simultaneously exploring new and inspiring, creative territories. MFA Guitar studies pushes already accomplished guitarists to explore advanced performance techniques and new stylistic directions as they shape their individual artistic profiles, and prepare for careers in the professional music world. In addition to major lessons, guitar workshops, and advanced classes in music history, literature, theory and analysis, MFA candidates play in a variety of coached small ensembles, including chamber music groups, faculty-student jazz ensembles and the School’s Multi-Focus Ensembles. MFA guitarists further refine their musical and creative skills through custom-tailored studies under the guidance of their mentors. The graduate curriculum also incorporates classes in pedagogy and career design.