About Us
Our Mission
The Department of Music and Dance provides a comprehensive education for students from the Commonwealth and beyond through a combination of established and innovative pedagogical approaches. The faculty works cooperatively, focusing on students and inspiring them to realize their full artistic potential while equipping them with skills to succeed in today's world.
The Department is also committed to distinguishing itself regionally, nationally, and internationally through the creative activity and scholarship of its faculty. Presentations, publications, recordings, and performances constitute a significant presence in the fields of music and dance, enhancing the reputation of the Department, the College, and the University, while contributing to dynamic collaborations both on and off campus.
Serving as a cultural ambassador for music and dance, the Department maintains visibility through broad course offerings, public appearances, and outreach activities within the University and the community at large.
Department Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In the Department of Music and Dance, we value a socially-equitable, inclusive, and collaborative environment to support our students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to recruiting and retaining a community of students, faculty, and staff in our Department that is diverse in all aspects, such as culture, disability status, geography, race, sexuality, socioeconomic strata, and gender identity. We recognize and uphold diverse traditions and artistic practices across the broad yet interrelated areas of expressive performance, scholarly inquiry, and engaging teaching. We develop innovative pedagogies that prepare students for meaningful creative lives as performers, educators, composers, conductors, researchers, or in other chosen fields. Within this inclusive community, we contribute creative, research, and teaching excellence within the university and beyond.
From the Chair
Greetings, UMass community! I am thrilled to write my first letter to you as the chair of the Department of Music & Dance.
As I humbly step into this new role, I must, of course, begin by acknowledging the leaders before me who built UMass Music & Dance’s stellar reputation and high standards. I aspire to continue their impressive trajectory and make our alumni proud. I want to especially recognize our outgoing department chair, Salvatore Macchia, who has been the leader we all needed for the past three years.
Read the full Chair's Letter >>
