The Department of Music and Performing Arts offers a wide range of subjects related to music, dance, and dramatic and performing arts in terms of theory, composition practice, and performance. Courses are offered to students from all backgrounds and academic concentrations. Courses for students with minimal knowledge of music, dramatic, and performing arts are also available. Studio offerings are featured in the curriculum.
3 semester credits. This course offers instruction in basic cello technique while also developing general musical skills and understanding. Topics include basic technical skills and tone production, bowing techniques, development of the left hand, the fundamentals of accurate intonation, and an introduction to cello repertoire.
3 semester credits. This course is designed to provide to the opportunity to enhance musical proficiency in cello study and performance. Lessons will be individualized and encourage student interaction with the local music scene. Students will develop new repertoire and will be given the opportunity to perform in order to experience the world of classical music in Italy. As a part of the overall experience, students will be able to use the state-of-the art recording studio facility to record their own demo under the guidance of studio technicians and sound engineers to produce a high quality recording of their repertoire. This course requires a placement audition.
3 semester credits. Drums are a highly versatile instrument, rich in artistic expressivity and potential. The purpose of the course is to guide the student through the vivid musical landscapes of this instrument with a hands-on, performance-based approach. Coursework will focus on the different techniques behind a variety of drumming styles to explore different kinds of beats and fills along with sound research and feel of groove. Topics addressed will include rock and latin drumming, ghost-stroking techniques, syncopated grooves, odd time, and more. As the course consists in a series of individual lessons, students will be able to determine strengths and areas needing improvement in order to better address the performance challenges. This course requires a placement audition.
3 semester credits. Movement and dance have been used as forms of self-expression and healing since the earliest records of human civilization. Within a studio setting, students enrolled in this course will explore the therapeutic and expressive aspects of dance/movement experiences while at the same time gaining a deeper understanding of the evolution of dance/movement throughout history and cultures. Theory and application will be studied with the goal of investigating the therapeutic effects of dance/movement therapy in educational, counseling, and rehabilitation settings. Students will gain hands-on experience, putting the techniques and methods learned in class into practice. Other creative arts therapy modalities will also be examined to provide a more comprehensive foundation of this discipline.
3 semester credits. This dance workshop is primarily concentrated on choreography, the creative process, and the analysis of movement. Different themes are addressed to reflect the contemporary as well as the ancient culture and art of Tuscany. Students will compose and work on original dances for a live performance. Basic principles of composition and techniques of choreography will be used to explore themes ranging from Medieval arts and society to the relationship between space and the body. Topics include how to express space by using one's body, how the human body can create different types of space to communicate different meanings, the study of the expressiveness of body movement, and the relationship between the interior world and external appearance. Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis will be used. Prerequisites: One semester of Modern or Contemporary Dance or Classical Ballet.
3 semester credits. The course offers instruction for both students who are sight readers and non-readers of musical notation. All students will be expected to sight read in the first position on the guitar by the end of the course. Students will learn a technical command of the chosen repertoire. This includes efficient reading of pitch and rhythm notation and proper fingering technique. Students will also gain a basic understanding of chordal theory as offered during the course by the instructor.
3 semester credits. This course is designed to guide students through the diverse landscapes of guitar playing. The course is structured in a series of individual lessons on right and left hand techniques, rhythm, pick stroking, chordal theory, and guitar notation and scoring. The course will enhance musicianship through ear training and the development of aural skills along with hands-on research on a variety of musical styles and techniques for repertoire and instrument appreciation. Students will be encouraged to take advantage of the many contemporary and classical music venues that Florence has to offer in terms of live performances and studio sessions to better understand the figure of the guitar professional. This course requires a placement audition.
3 semester credits. This course introduces students to all of the basics of Hip Hop and street dance movement, music, and culture. Course topics provide appropriate body movements covering body placement, technique, stylization, rhythm, and musicality. Students will learn and practice hip hop combos that include either or both grooves and choreographies through the repetitions of large but simple dance moves that utilize the whole body. Choreographies include tunes that combine old and new school Hip Hop. Like other forms of dance, Hip Hop must be studied within the framework of its historical and social context. Each lesson will provide a focus on the cultural significance of Hip Hop and reflect on the origins of the Hip Hop culture of young, urban, working-class populations, its roots in the African oral tradition, its function as the voice of an otherwise underrepresented group, and, as its popularity has grown, its commercialization and appropriation by the music industry.
3 semester credits. This course gives a broad overview of the history of Italian opera from its origins to the beginning of the 20th century. As one of the most popular expressions of Italian culture, opera features specific musical and dramaturgic traits, as well as a fascinating symbolic language that will be investigated during the course. The course will analyze a selection of the most representative operas to understand their social and political context as well as the traditions linked to their interpretation and performance styles. Students will study opera in the very city in which it was created and where live opera performances animate the prestigious operatic seasons of Florentine theaters and venues. Selected works include Mozart's Don Giovanni and Le Nozze di Figaro, Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Bellini's Norma, Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore, Verdi's La Traviata, and Rigoletto and Puccini's Bohème.
3 semester credits. This course introduces the basic elements of acting through text analysis, scene study, monologue work, character development, and physical and vocal expression. Students are encouraged to develop their sensorial awareness and self-confidence through the employment of various methods and movements that serve to reach dramatic quality. The course comprises lectures on the history of drama and it combines theoretical discussions with practical exercises, providing students with the tools to strengthen their ability to engage in inner reflection and public expression.
3 semester credits. This is a studio class in which students are introduced to the techniques and varied styles of jazz dance, which is based on the musical elements of jazz. Students are encouraged to develop the integration of different rhythmic concepts, movement through space, alignment, flexibility, jumps and combinations, and dynamic expression.
3 semester credits. This course is a listener's guide to the history, literature, and material of music. The aim of the course is to develop the students' listening skills and, consequentially, their appreciation for and enjoyment of classical music. The first part of the course will be an introduction to the elements of music and a broad overview of Western music from the Middle Ages to the present day. The second part will concentrate on a selection of pieces from each period of classical music spanning Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth Century examples.
3 semester credits. The objective of this course is to encourage individual creative language while exposing the students to contemporary techniques of music composition. Through practical guidance in the composition of original music and intensive exploration of 20th century music theory and compositional methods, students will be able to concentrate on both the creative and the analytical aspects of contemporary composition. Collaboration between students in this course is strongly encouraged, along with the exchange of ideas, opinions, and information in order to assist each other with the composition and performance of technical exercises and creative projects. Prerequisites: One semester of music-related courses.
3 semester credits. This is a studio class aimed at introducing students to the elementary techniques of modern dance based on the movement vocabularies of great choreographers such as Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, and others. Structured technical exercises condition the body for strength, coordination, and flexibility. Aspects of space, time, shape, and movement dynamics are explored.
3 semester credits. The aim of this course is to acquire the key features of a well-rounded music producer. The first part of the course will target the technologies employed in professional recording studios. Students will be exposed to sound engineering, editing, mixing, and recording techniques, acquiring the skills to understand and master phases of the creative process. The second part of the course will analyze the business management of a production label in terms of relational and professional skills, product and artist management, and successful business strategies to challenge the expanding boundaries of the creative industry.
3 semester credits. philosophical evidence. This course will examine music through a multidimensional lens, tying musical compositions to the numerous dynamics of the city and its development over time. The course comprises a rich analysis of the interlinking epochs of music history, namely Greek and Roman theatrical music, court music, Classicism, Romanticism, Italian opera, popular music, jazz, rock, and rap. Students will engage in extensive listening exercises and will develop an understanding of music as a polyhedral art, instrument, and substantial human endeavor. Ultimately, students will be able to recognize the dialogue between music and history, as well as key protagonists in the evolution of musical performance and composition with references to structure, rhythm, instruments, narratives, and intent. The approach of this course is based on experiencing the city of Florence as an academic space for learning and engagement. Classes are not held in a traditional, frontal-style setting; each lesson is carefully mapped for curricular content and featured locations: lectures, observations, exercises, analysis, and reflections on presented topics are held in relevant sites that are accounted for in the academic planning, syllabus, and related course material. Coursework and submissions will be regularly assessed on the MyFUA platform through daily assignments in addition to exams, papers, and projects. Learning through the on-site classroom approach fosters a deeper understanding of the cultural environment of Florence and how it is related to the course topic, and allows for an overall experience which contributes to students' academic and personal enrichment.
3 semester credits. This class will focus on studying the Italian operatic repertoire with the aid of a piano "corripetiteur." Starting from the works of Mozart and Rossini, the “belcanto” of Bellini and Donizetti or the operas of Verdi and Puccini, the students will be able to focus on the arias and characters that best suit their voice register, enhancing the interpretation of the chosen characters from a well-rounded perspective. The collaborative work of the piano accompanist will take on entire scores and emphasize phrasing, dynamics, color, rhythm, intonation, proper Italian diction, and the specific performance practices of the single character. Singers, depending on their level, will prepare a chosen role of an entire work and, through the practice with the pianist, will be able to develop the knowledge and experience necessary to interpret and perform the work according professional standards. This course requires a placement audition and includes experiential learning with CEMI.
3 semester credits. This course is a development of the knowledge and techniques acquired in Beginner Piano. Topics will address a more complex and challenging piano repertoire and encourage the students to develop the skills necessary to increase their technical awareness of piano music. The course will also take into account the analysis and understanding of a selected number of theoretical musical elements to better appreciate the depth of the musical language studied. Starting from the intermediate level onwards, the selection on studies and technical pieces will be geared towards the individual level and needs of the participant in order to address the specific challenges met by the students. Students will increase their musical aesthetic and their awareness of the relevance of music in society thanks to hands-on research at Florence's musical resources and institutions. This course requires a placement audition.
3 semester credits. This course provides piano students with continuing instruction on an advanced level. Coursework is designed for students who have an extensive piano experience and need to enhance their performance skills, expand their knowledge of repertoire, and acquire further keyboard proficiency. The study will be conducted by exposing the students to the analysis and interpretation of selected pieces in order to develop technical mastery along with repertoire awareness in terms of interpretation and expressivity. Along with the study of the instrument, the students will be given research assignments linked to composers and to the musical languages studied for a deeper contextualization of music education in a different culture. The course will provide the students with the opportunity to be in contact with Florence's musical resources and venues, and to appreciate and understand the role and position of the professional performer in society. This course requires a placement audition.
3 semester credits. The course is a basic introduction to playing the piano. Topics will cover basic technical skills and an introduction to the ground elements of solfège and harmony. The students will focus on understanding music symbols and terminology, using appropriate techniques for piano performance, and developing ear training. Students will also be exposed to a variety of musical literature and to the music environment belonging to the history of Florence, which will enhance their learning experience through hands-on research and through participation in concerts and venues offered by the local theaters and opera house. The course is designed for those students with little or no piano experience.
3 semester credits. This is an individualized course aimed at offering to each student professional guidance in achieving the personal objectives as a singer and performer. The program of the course will differ according to each student, granting a tailored approach in order to analyze specific breathing techniques and the necessary vocal exercises needed to improve pitch and sound quality. Focus will be given also to the interpretation and correct styling of the repertoire varying from classical opera to modern songs. Student involvement in the Florentine musical landscape will be cultivated throughout the course. This course requires a placement audition.
3 semester credits. Salsa is considered the king of Latin dance and is practiced throughout the world. Through this course, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rhythms of Latin America and experience this global dance phenomenon. This Salsa course introduces students to the rhythm and timing of salsa music and dance, and to a variety of techniques for both leading and following. Students will learn basic footwork, dance positions, and dance patterns including single right turns, single left turns, cross body leads, back breaks (Cumbia), and ladies 1 ½ right and left turns. In addition to regular dance practices, each class will focus on the social and cultural importance of Salsa for the communities which practice this dance. Special attention will be given to the historical evolution of Salsa dancing from earlier Cuban dances popular in the Caribbean and Latin America to Salsa practices in the Latino communities in New York since the 1940s.
3 semester credits. This course is for beginner dancers; students will learn key tango dance steps through formal instruction and dance floor practice starting with exercises in balance, coordination, and body posture. They will continue with tango walking, leading and following communication, navigation on the dance floor, and musicality. Students will learn the fundamental elements of Argentine Tango such as the basic steps, cross, ocho and parada, etc. Students will learn how to differentiate the three types of tango music (tango, vals, and milonga) and acquire knowledge of well-known tango orchestras including the relevance of tango lyrics to Argentine history. Each dance practice is preceded by a lecture on the history of tango from the 1800s to the present day, exploring how the arts and cultures of Africa, Europe, and Latin America shaped the development of tango. This course enhances students’ understanding of how tango (and other art forms of dance) express, reflect, and shape cultural and community identity. Particular attention is given to tango’s role in the context of the current cultural and economic issues in Argentina and other South American countries, and to how current tango practices around the world affect health and well-being.
3 semester credits. This course offers instruction in basic violin technique while developing general musical skills and understanding. Topics include basic technical skills and tone production, bowing techniques, development of the left hand, the fundamentals of accurate intonation, and an introduction to violin repertoire.
3 semester credits. This course is designed to provide the opportunity to enhance musical proficiency in violin study and performance. Lessons will be individualized and encourage student interaction with the local music scene. Students will develop new repertoire and will be given the opportunity to perform in order to experience the world of classical music in Italy. As a part of the overall experience, students will be able to use the state-of-the art recording studio facility to record their own demo under the guidance of studio technicians and sound engineers to produce a high quality recording of their repertoire. This course requires a placement audition.
3 semester credits. This course offers instruction in basic viola technique while developing general musical skills and understanding. Topics include basic technical skills and tone production, bowing techniques, development of the left hand, the fundamentals of accurate intonation, and an introduction to viola repertoire and reading the alto clef.
3 semester credits. This course is designed to provide to the students the opportunity to enhance their musical proficiency in viola study and performance. Merging with the Florentine musical scene students will follow individual lessons, geared towards each individual need. Lessons will be individualized and encourage student interaction with the local music scene. Students will develop new repertoire and will be given the opportunity to perform in order to experience the world of classical music in Italy. As a part of the overall experience, students will be able to use the state-of-the art recording studio facility to record their own demo under the guidance of studio technicians and sound engineers to produce a high quality recording of their repertoire. This course requires a placement audition.
3 semester credits. This course is based on the study and practice of the necessary voice techniques to master opera repertoire under the professional guidance of the instructor. Through a series of individual lessons, students will be instructed on the development of healthy and correct breathing habits and on the proper use of the muscles to obtain accurate sound emissions in order to support the sound through the body. The course will also address the key techniques necessary to achieve correct tone placement and sound resonance. Students will train to gain control of the physiological aspects of phonation, acquiring competence in singing in Italian and the ability to address the challenges of the singer’s career. The course will provide the opportunity for the students to merge with the local musical community through research assignments. This course requires a placement audition and includes experiential learning with CEMI.
3 semester credits. The music and performing arts internships aim to match the student's academic background to the diversified environments of creative industries. Students who apply for this internship will experience the dynamic world of entertainment, artists, and performing arts organization in the local community. Placements may range from organization, management, promotion, and marketing in the performing arts. Interns should be prepared to start gradually and maintain schedule flexibility as performing arts engagements may take place in the evenings and/or on weekends or ongoing research-based activities for remote placements. This internship course aims to prepare students for the professional world and features an unsalaried internship scheduled individually for a minimum of ten hours per week. Students generally serve as part-time interns from Monday through Friday, although some internships may require weekend hours. The internship enhances student knowledge through field experience held in a professional environment overseen by a supervisor who regularly monitors the internship progress and development, and guides the student’s preparation of a final analytical report and portfolio. Placements will vary depending on the student’s language and professional skills. Main tasks: Performing arts-oriented communication strategies, promotional material development and creation, audience analysis, comparative research by location and category, final portfolio. Additional materials/Dress code: Business casual attire for dress code, not applicable to remote option. Laptop required for certain placements. Prerequisites: Italian A2 recommended but may vary depending on the placement. Cover letter, CV, and material pertinent to the chosen area, interview.