The Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance at Biola's Conservatory of Music is designed to help you develop your skills to the highest level possible within a four year degree, all within a supportive community of musicians dedicated to helping you grow.
In addition to its strong curriculum, expert faculty members and biblical integration, Biola’s music performance program offers several key advantages:
Biola University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music
Highly respected, experienced faculty
Strong academic preparation for graduate school
Over 20 performance ensembles
Active chamber music program
Weekly studio classes
On-campus performance competitions
Master classes by world-renowned artists
Supportive community of dedicated Christian musicians
Close proximity to Los Angeles and access to performances by world-renowned artists in music genres from classical to pop, jazz and world music
Special scholarships and awards available to performers
As a music performance major, you are assured a comprehensive and enriching musical education through a broad range of onstage opportunities and in-depth classes. Graduate with a wide-array of solo, chamber and large ensemble performance experience. Concentrations offered for this degree are in the areas of Voice, Instrumental, Piano and Organ performance.
Some of your courses include:
Concert Music (MUSC 200)
Attendance at specified number and types of concerts each semester. Notes: Four semesters required for graduation. Grade Mode: A.
Basic Conducting (MUSC 323)
Basic conducting skills; the psychology of conducting; observation of choral and orchestral rehearsals. Grade Mode: A.
Music Cultures of the World (MUSC 410)
An introductory study of the interrelationships between music and culture through the examination of the music of varying cultures. Basic elements of music as they are found in world cultures will be studied. Grade Mode: A.
As part of Biola’s commitment to a biblically centered education, most undergraduate students complete
30 credits of biblical and theological studies as a part of their degree program. Learn more about our
Bible and theology core.
Career Outlook and Preparation
What can you do with a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance?
Biola music performance majors have gone on to top graduate schools and a wide range of professional careers, including:
Performing artists in professional orchestras and opera houses
University and K-12 educators
Private studio instructors
Session and solo singers and instrumentalists and recording artists
Choral and instrumental conductors
Recording engineers and producers
Creative business entrepreneurs
Our alumni have performed in organizations and companies such as:
Baltimore Symphony
Atlanta Opera
Tuscany Symphony Orchestra
Ahmanson Theatre Orchestra
Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles
Elaine Wolf Theatre, Denver
Tri-Cities Opera, New York
Disneyland Parks
Carnegie Hall
Major Los Angeles Recording Studios
Houston Grand Opera
Royal Opera House, London
America's Got Talent, as a member of "Vox," the classically-trained vocal quartet specializing in opera, musical theatre and crossover music
4% job growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for musicians and singers is projected to be as fast as average between 2021 and 2031.
BLS projections are not specific to Biola University students or graduates.
Attending Biola as both a nursing and music performance student allowed me to glean from a host of professors and peers that have lived out their faith in a variety of professions. The personal and spiritual growth that I experienced from my time at Biola has empowered me to share Christ’s love with others regardless of whether I am giving medications to a patient in the ER, playing my viola in church or assisting in compiling the district reports of teenage pregnancy and newly acquired HIV infections in an African village.
Nurse, Peace Corp Community Health Volunteer Performance (Viola) '10, B.M. and Nursing, B.S. '10
Biola gave me incredible opportunities to perform lead solo roles while I was a student, something that became a huge advantage to me when I went on to study in London. I also had close working relationships with all the members of the staff and production team and first-hand (sometimes hands-on!) knowledge of all the elements of being a part of a wonderful show. Biola helped me begin to build a strong foundation of teamwork, respect, professionalism and the sheer joy of bringing music alive on-stage.
International Opera Singer, Soprano Performance (Voice), B.M. '04
Biola's gifted professors and loving community met me where I was at, helped to foster my growth, and inspired me to become the best musician I could be. Numerous ensembles and performance opportunities provided me with priceless experiences to work with many other musicians in different settings that prepared me for the professional world. After graduation I have been blessed to continue my relationship with the people I met at Biola (both faculty and students) who continually support me and show me what it means to truly trust God with my music career.
Performing and Recording Percussionist, Music Educator Performance (Drums and Percussion), B.M. '14
Everything we do should bring glory to God and Biola's Conservatory has allowed me to do that through my music with the violin, either in orchestra, chamber groups and individual practice.
Sofiya Prykhitko
Music Performance, B.M. '17, Music Education, B.M. '18
Even though I did not enter into the field of music therapy until after my years at Biola, the knowledge I gained was immensely important. I received a high-quality music education, which allowed me to enter into the field of music therapy with confidence and ease. Now, I get an opportunity to serve marginalized individuals with music every day. I am able to walk alongside people, using music to decrease their anxiety, help them express their emotions, or simply give them a voice to be heard.
Biola is more affordable than you might think — dramatically lower than the “sticker price” in most cases
— with 100% of incoming undergraduate students receiving some form of financial aid.