As the first degree-granting music program in the U.S., BU has trained generations of musicians, earning a global reputation for excellence.
The Performance program at Boston University School of Music is comprised of academically and artistically extraordinary musicians. With the highest artistic and professional standards in performance, this program is designed for students with the strongest commitment to music training. Located within a major research university located in a city known for music, students experience a highly personalized interaction with expert faculty and cultural opportunities that are nearly limitless.
Built on legacy as the oldest degree-granting music school in the country, BU School of Music focuses on exceptional learning and performance opportunities for students. Our faculty is drawn from the ranks of some of the world’s most distinguished musicians and institutions and includes 20 members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. With a broad array of performance degrees available, the program offers distinct and rigorous preparation for musicians at each level of training.

TAKE CENTER STAGE
The BU School of Music Performance program offers distinct and rigorous preparation at all degree levels in the following areas:
VOICE
STRINGS
KEYBOARD
WOODWINDS
BRASS
PERCUSSION

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Dream Big: Our experience at The International Women’s Brass Conference in Japan
What’s the only thing better than one CFA student excelling in the world of fine arts? A whole septet of them! The driven and talented Boston University Women’s Brass group, consisting of School of Music students Cassandra McDonald (CFA’25), trumpet performance; Yeonjo Oh (CFA’27), horn performance; Misa Womack (CFA’25), trombone performance; Nyla Mawire (CFA’25), tuba performance; Aysel DeBakey (CFA’25), trumpet performance; Sarah Brustin (BUTI’21, CFA’27), trumpet performance; and Tori Gervais (CFA’27), trumpet performance and music education, proudly represented BU at the well-renowned 2024 International Women’s Brass Conference.
With help from the School of Music Director, CFA Dean, and a GoFundMe post, the brass septet was able to make this dream a reality, making it to competition finals, participating in masterclasses, playing in a concert with real legends, and learning along the way that risks always pay off!
Between making connections at school and now especially making international connections, I feel like my world has expanded, and I think the others in our group would say the same. The people we met at this conference will most definitely help us in the future.
-Cassandra McDonald (CFA’25) DMA Trumpet Performance
Degrees Offered
Featured Faculty
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Kenneth Amis
Lecturer in Music, Tuba
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Edwin Barker
Associate Professor of Music, Double Bass
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Jennifer Bill
Lecturer in Music, Saxophone; Conductor of Concert Band
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Penelope BItzas
Associate Professor of Music, Voice; Director, Young Artists Vocal Program, BU Tanglewood Institute
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Kyle Brightwell
Lecturer in Music, Percussion; Director, Percussion Workshop, BU Tanglewood Institute
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Thomas Cannon
Assistant Professor, Voice
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Victor Cayres
Lecturer, Piano & Collaborative Piano; Co-Director, Young Artists Piano Program, BU Tanglewood Institute
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Jihye Chang Sung
Senior Lecturer in Music, Piano
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James Demler
Assistant Professor, Voice
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Daniel Doña
Senior Lecturer in Music, Viola; Director of Undergraduate Studies; Coordinator, String Chamber Music
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Lynn Eustis
Associate Professor, Voice; Chair of Voice, School of Music
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Terry Everson
Professor, Trumpet; Director, Trumpet Workshop, BU Tanglewood Institute
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Jean-Michel Fonteneau
Lecturer in Music, Cello
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Nancy Goeres
Lecturer in Music, Bassoon
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David Guzman
Assistant Professor of Music, Voice
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Franziska Huhn
Lecturer, Harp; Director, Young Artists Harp Program, BU Tanglewood Institute
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Bayla Keyes
Associate Professor, Violin
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Danny Kim
Lecturer in Music, Viola
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Michelle LaCourse
Associate Professor of Music, Viola; Chair, String Department; Director, Viola Workshop, BU Tanglewood Institute
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Christine Lamprea
Lecturer In Music, Cello
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Benjamin Levy
Lecturer in Music, Double Bass
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Weichen Lin
Lecturer, Percussion
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Pavel Nersessian
Associate Professor, Piano
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Rob Patterson
Assistant Professor, Clarinet
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Margaret Phillips
Lecturer, Bassoon and Contrabassoon; Director, Bassoon Workshop, BU Tanglewood Institute
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Michael Reynolds
Director, School of Music; Professor, Cello
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Gabriel Rice
Lecturer in Music, Bass Trombone
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Boaz Sharon
Professor, Piano
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Douglas Sumi
Lecturer in Music, Vocal Repertoire and Coaching
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Peter Zazofsky
Professor of Music, Violin and Chamber Music; Co-Director, String Quartet Workshop, BU Tanglewood Institute
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Jessica Zhou
Lecturer in Music, Harp
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Andrius Zlabys
Lecturer in Piano



