Is a DMA for You? BY JOANIE BRITTINGHAM Three singers who hold a doctorate of musical arts discuss the benefits, misperceptions, and challenges surrounding this degree. here have been troubling articles Century: Special Report, last published There are not a limitless number of over the last several years about in 2006, 20 percent of terminal degrees positions teaching voice, opera, and T the employability of someone are conferred in the humanities, which choir at the college level. According to with a doctoral degree—and even more encompasses the arts, English, literature, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, musicians, troubling articles on the decrease in and some education programs. These including singers, earn a median of full-time, tenured positions at colleges in were broken down only in an appendix, $40,320 per year, while post-secondary nearly every field. Increased reliance on which showed that between 1920 and arts educators earn a median of $64,300. adjunct professors who do not receive 1999, more doctorates were conferred The Chronicle of Higher Education benefits combined with the possibility in music than in any of the other arts. To releases statistics of tenure and tenure- for crippling student loan debt is enough give a specific comparison: between 1960 track positions each year, and teachers to make anyone approaching the pursuit and 1964, 518 music doctorates were in the visual and performing arts with of a terminal degree think twice. Why conferred, while 3,602 were conferred a doctorate earn more—over $9,000 pursue further study if it leaves one between 1995 and 1999. more—than those with only a master’s. underemployed or unemployed? Is a Most post-secondary jobs in music now Anyone passionate about the arts can doctorate of musical arts worth it? require a DMA or that the candidate be argue that the money doesn’t matter, For some singers, a DMA is seen as a ABD (All But Dissertation, meaning that but there is more to it than the numbers safety net for a stalled career. The field all doctoral coursework is complete and found in the charts on the BLS website. of teaching singing, however, is every only the dissertation remains to have the While these statistics can be sobering, it bit as competitive as performing, and degree conferred)—though some require can be valuable and rewarding to obtain students must be realistic about the job a master’s and “requisite performing the degree and can also help with making market upon completion of their degree. experience.” Even some adjunct positions a candidate marketable for more teaching According to the National Science are looking for candidates with terminal positions as well as for positions at a Foundation’s U.S. Doctorates in the 20th degrees. higher pay grade. “The idea that you teach only because you can’t really sing is incredibly present . although I enjoy research and teaching, my field is vocal performance.” Kirsten C. Kunkle 56 Classical Singer / September 2015 Is a DMA for You? “It’s all about that first job—then you’re up and running! . My advice for young professors is that they should send out as many applications as possible and be willing to move anywhere. Literally.” Mathew Hoch Matthew Hoch, associate professor As you can see simply from the pursuit he adds. “I took a church job and was of voice and coordinator of the Voice of the degree, the level of dedication an adjunct instructor at three different Area at Auburn University, earned his and time commitment it takes to universities, which wound up being DMA at the New England Conservatory complete this level of study is a serious essential experience when I entered the in 2006 and recently completed his tenth undertaking. Major considerations for job market.” year of full-time college-level teaching. those contemplating doctoral studies Kunkle began her DMA at a young He spent only two years as a full-time include tuition, stipends, and health age—immediately after her master’s— doctoral student, taking overloads and insurance during this time of intense and while she did not receive tuition finishing his residency early—including study and the additional work of assistance or a fellowship, she was three degree-required recitals—while at singing. able to remain under her parents’ the same time working as an adjunct, Hoch noted that everyone in the health insurance. Hendrix got a large teaching as a fellow at NEC, and working DMA program at NEC received some scholarship, leaving a little left over a church job. He completed his comps kind of scholarship. “But I also had to after tuition. Because she did not have and dissertation while working at his first work a lot in order to afford to live,” duties associated with her award, she university position. Kirsten C. Kunkle, winner of the PA District NATSAA competition, first- place winner of the American Protégé International Vocal Competition, has sung at Carnegie Hall and Opera Lancaster and has taught at the Lincoln University and Shorter College, among others. She earned her DMA from the University of Michigan in 2007. During her studies, she was singing at various companies, had a church job, and was substitute teaching on the days where she did not have classes. Suzanne Hendrix, whose singing credits include San Francisco Opera and the Wiener Staatsoper, and has won the Kirsten Flagstad Award and Wagner Prize offered by the George London Foundation, completed her DMA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. She completed her degree after three years of coursework, and an additional year because she postponed her comps for an audition at the Metropolitan Opera. While she pursued her degree, she was an adjunct at a small college and sang in the chorus at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. www.classicalsinger.com 57 Is a DMA for You? “As a young dramatic soprano, my voice did not really start to fully develop till I was 30, which was about four years after I finished my doctorate . .” had free time to sing in the opera chorus are completely out of the applicant’s For Hoch, his experience as an adjunct at the Lyric, audition, and take singing control. The search committees might during his master’s and DMA studies engagements out of town for short be looking for a certain voice type or paid off. He was able to land a full- periods. they might already have an internal time, tenure-track job right away. “It’s all As difficult as the pursuit of the degree candidate (someone they know or who about that first job—then you’re up and itself was, these three experienced a already works for the university) in mind running!” he says. “My advice for young difficult and competitive entrance for the position. professors is that they should send out into the job market as well. “Finding “Committees also subjectively screen as many applications as possible and be employment as a full-time college voice for a certain ‘personality’—someone willing to move anywhere. Literally.” professor was extremely competitive and they think will be a good colleague or Kunkle took three adjunct positions still is, especially when you’re young,” a good fit for the institution. In sum, immediate after completing her DMA Hoch says. “You’re competing against the process is far more complicated across the state of Ohio. “It was a slew of applicants, many of whom than simply having a DMA and being incredibly taxing to travel so much have terminal degrees and a ton of a good artist-teacher. Those are simply for adjunct work, but I did enjoy my performance and teaching experience. prerequisites that you have to have to be students and colleagues very much,” There are also a lot of elements that in the running.” she says. “After a year of adjunct work, Discover your voice. Internationally acclaimed faculty strive to help you realize your potential and put practice into performance. We offer studies in opera, oratorio, and art song. Voice graduates move on to leading roles and teaching positions across the globe. • BM, MM, and DMA degrees available in performance, music education, and choral conducting • Unique study abroad opportunities • Assistantships and scholarships available • Recent master classes: Renée Fleming, Daniel Beckwith, Ricky Ian Gordon, Nathan Gunn, Eric Halfvarson, Kim Josephson, Susanne Mentzer • Opera productions recognized as top prize winners by National Opera Association in 2012, 2013, 2014. Welcome new voice faculty Connect with our faculty: music.msu.edu/voice Richard Fracker, tenor and area chair; Melanie Helton, soprano and director of MSU Opera Theatre; Harlan Jennings, baritone; Peter Lightfoot, baritone; Elden Little, vocal coach; Anne Nispel, soprano; David Rayl, director of choral programs; Jonathan Reed, choral conducting; Sandra Snow, choral conducting and music education. Jane Bunnell Marc Embree mezzo-soprano bass-baritone 5858 ClassicalClassical SingerSinger // SeptemberSeptember 20152011 Is a DMA for You? “I’m making as much singing as I would at a small school as a beginning teacher and, frankly, in a weird way, I feel like I have to prove less as a singer than at schools. So, I’m sticking with singing for now, even though teaching Suzanne Hendrix is what I always wanted to do.” I obtained a visiting assistant professor Hendrix had a different experience lone person they chose to represent position at Shorter College, where I upon completing her DMA “I applied the ‘newbies,’ which was flattering, but stayed for two years. After my time at for so many teaching jobs, it was I was up against really veteran teachers Shorter, I became the opera director depressing and I stopped counting,” she with longer performing careers.