Recent classical guitar alums Kevin Loh ‘25 and Chandler Dillingham ‘25 have taken the next steps in their careers by returning to teach at their alma mater. Loh and Dillingham both discovered a passion for music education while studying under mentor René Izquierdo. “It’s a great honor for any teacher …
Music, BFA BFA
Turn your passion and musical talent into a professional career in music – or set the stage for successful graduate studies with our Music BFA. Whatever your goal, our music degree will help you achieve it through personalized attention from faculty, diverse musical experiences and opportunities to perform and collaborate with other artists.
Our music degree program offers intensive study for you to hone your skills with your voice or principal instrument. As a conservatory-style department nestled within a leading research university, our professional artist-faculty are here to inspire, support and teach you. And because we know firsthand that the music industry is highly collaborative, you’ll frequently work alongside other students, guest artists and professionals from across campus and Wisconsin’s cultural capital, Milwaukee, and beyond.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
What it’s like to be a Music BFA student at Peck School of the Arts
When you study music at UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, you’ll join a supportive and collaborative community of artists. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including performance venues, practice rooms and recording studios. In addition to performing as soloists and in ensembles, students have many opportunities to attend concerts, master classes and workshops led by world-renowned musicians and scholars. Through our strong partnerships with performance organizations in Milwaukee and the surrounding region, you’ll expand your horizons and your professional network along the way.
But don’t take our word for it. Explore for yourself what it is like to be a music degree student here by scheduling a personalized tour and info session.
Music BFA Program Details
Our music degree program is a comprehensive, four-year program perfect for students seeking intensive study to develop those skills needed for a professional career and/or preparation for graduate school across many voice or primary instrument paths.
Studios & Ensembles
Our studios and ensembles are led by our renowned artist faculty who have active professional careers. Studios and ensembles are structured to offer a wide variety of training and performance opportunities for musicians of various abilities. Whatever your level of skill and interest, you’ll benefit from our studios and ensembles.
Entrance Auditions/Interviews & Admission
Peck School of the Arts degree programs may require additional steps to enter. For most dance, music and theatre programs, applicants must first be accepted to UWM, apply to Peck School of the Arts and complete entrance requirements such as an audition and/or interview.
Scholarships & Aid
UWM and Peck School of the Arts offer a diverse financial aid package for students, including Midwest residence savings, scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities and student loans.
Living Learning Communities
Live in campus housing on the same floor or wing as other students in your major or program. The Peck School of the Arts offers three Living Learning Communities where you can be a part of a “community within a community.” You’ll make friends, form study groups and do social activities together. And, best of all, there is no additional cost to be a part of a Living Learning Community.
Music Performances
With a season packed with music concerts, you’ll have many opportunities to put your hard work on display for live audiences in our performance venues. You can also support your fellow musicians by attending their performances and broaden your musical horizons through limited engagements from visiting artists and touring acts. Learn more about venues and performing arts events.
Student Recitals
Peck School of the Arts music students take the stage in solo and group student recitals throughout the school year. Students showcase musical technique and skill, while audience members enjoy exceptional performances by Milwaukee’s emerging musicians.
Internships & Opportunities
Located within the cultural capital of Wisconsin, students regularly perform professionally both as soloists and chamber musicians in the greater Milwaukee community while earning their degree. See where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.
Student Organizations & Clubs
Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Music Alumni Stories
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Inspired by their mentor, classical guitar alumni return to teach at their alma mater
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Guitar students and alumni shine on international stagesThe Peck School of the Arts guitar program is recognized for its distinguished faculty and the achievements of its students and alumni. Led by internationally renowned artist René Izquierdo, the program continues to produce musicians who thrive on competitive stages around the world. We recap several summer successes from students and …
Music Careers
- Accompanist
- Acoustic Engineer
- Arranger
- Artist Management
- Arts Administrator
- Audio Software Designer & Programmer
- Audio / Visual Technician
- Broadcast Engineer
- Chamber Musician
- Clinician
- Consultant
- Collaborative Pianist
- Community Arts Organizer
- Composer
- Concert Production / Promotion
- Conductor (Band, Choral, Orchestral)
- Curator
- Diction Coach
- Early Music Performer
- Editor
- Educator / Education Director
- Ensemble Administration
- Entertainer
- Ethnomusicologist
- Event Manager
- Film / Television / Theatre / Gaming Composer
- Foley Artist
- Folk Music Performer
- Instrumental Performer
- Instrument Building / Repairing / Restoration
- Jazz Performer
- Licensing Administrator
- Luthier
- Managing Director
- Mastering Engineer
- Media Developer
- Military Bands / Orchestras
- Music Cognition (Science & Medicine)
- Music Critic / Journalist / Blogger
- Music Historian
- Music Librarian
- Music Publicist
- Music Store Owner
- Music Supervisor
- Music Therapist
- Music Theorist
- Musical Theatre Artist
- Musicologist
- Multimedia Artist
- Opera Performer
- Opera Dramaturg
- Opera Management
- Opera Prompter
- Orchestral Musician
- Outreach & Educational Programming
- Peace Corps (Teaching Music Abroad)
- Piano Tuner / Technician
- Pit Musician
- Private Studio Teacher
- Producer
- Publisher
- Radio Manager / Broadcasting
- Recitalist
- Recording Artist
- Record Label Executive
- Singer / Vocalist
- Songwriter / Lyricist
- Sound Designer / Engineer
- Sound Technician
- Stage Manager
- Suzuki Instructor
- Studio Musician
- Talent Agent / Director
- Vocal Coach
- Voice Therapist
Music BFA Program Faculty
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Music faculty and staff please click the button below.
- Assistant Professor, Voice
- Area Head, Voice & Opera
- agulay@uwm.edu
- 414-251-7756
- Music Building 341
- Lecturer, Double Bass
- babbitt@uwm.edu
- 414-403-1526
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 196
- Lecturer, Drum Set
- Director, Jazz Combos & Ensembles, Afro-Caribbean Orchestra
- Chamber Music Coach
- Associate Professor, Flute
- Area Head, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion
- Director, Flute Ensemble
- Graduate Program Representative, Music
- clipperj@uwm.edu
- Music Building 461
- Adjunct Professor, Trombone & Euphonium
- Chamber Music Coach
- bassbone@uwm.edu
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 336
- Teaching Faculty II, Voice
- Voice Liaison, Musical Theatre
- hoffmade@uwm.edu
- Music Building 351
- Distinguished Professor, Classical Guitar
- Area Head, Guitar
- Director, Guitar Ensemble
- Chamber Music Coach
- ri7@uwm.edu
- 414-324-7570
- Kenilworth Square East 507
- Professor, Cello, Chamber Music, String Pedagogy
- Area Head, Strings
- Coordinator, Chamber Music
- skartman@uwm.edu
- Music Building 245
- Adjunct Associate Professor, Harp
- lobotzk2@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4947
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 198
- Assistant Professor, Percussion
- Area Head, Percussion
- Director, Percussion Ensemble, Steel PANthers Steel Band, Marimba Band
- wier@uwm.edu
- 414-251-7036
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 394
- Associate Professor, Violin
- Area Head, String Pedagogy
- bzinck@uwm.edu
- 414-243-2884
- Music Building 441
