Portfolio/Audition Requirements

Via the portfolio section of the CalArts Application, you are invited to submit a portfolio containing 3–5 examples of your artistic work. Your portfolio:

• Should consist of a minimum of 3 pieces. At least ONE art song or aria in any language is required. This should demonstrate an understanding of vocal technique including range, breath management, dynamics and phrasing, etc. The rest of your submitted work may consist of any genre of music and/or interdisciplinary work, including original work. 

• Should include video components—we want to see you performing. Live performances before an audience are preferred, if recording quality is high. 

• May include work outside of music that informs your musical practice, including visual art, writing/poetry, dance, theater, video, and/or other practices.

•  Should include a résumé and photo.

Please number your examples beginning with what you consider to be your strongest ones—reviewers will examine them in the order that you indicate. Materials must be labeled clearly and completely, including, for each selection: title, composer, approximate timing, date recorded, and any relevant notes or comments. This information can be included in a separate PDF document, if desired. You may link to media hosted on external websites, but please ensure that reviewers will have permission to view this media. 

Your portfolio must include an artist statement of 250–500 words that includes all of the following:

• Your background in the study and practice of music, including a crucial moment in your artistic development.

• Your main musical passions and artistic influences right now – what you are currently listening to.

• Genre(s) of music you are interested in performing and studying.

• What you are interested in exploring or experimenting with at CalArts.

• What attracts you to the particular Specialization to which you are applying. You may include a CalArts class, faculty, and/or offering that excites you the most.

• Your long-term goals as a professional musician.

The faculty want to learn more about you, directly from you! We ask that you record a 60–90 second short video of you introducing yourself. You should discuss:

• Your current artistic practice or what you perform, compose, produce, arrange, write, dance/choreograph, film, etc.

• A person, place, idea, or thing that inspires you and your music.

• A new artistic approach or skill you’d like to bring into your practice that you want to learn more about or haven’t tried before.

In your Video Introduction, you should:

• Record for only 60–90 seconds

• Speak directly to the camera

• Not read from a prepared statement

• Not make edits

• Not add special effects or on-screen overlays

• Upload the video or link directly to the portfolio section of the CalArts Application

• Use the recording equipment you have; cellphone cameras or consumer cameras are okay.

Applicants applying to the VoiceArts BFA program are required to participate in an in-person interview and audition. This offers you and the panel the opportunity for greater communication, and you will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the program.

After submitting your application, you will receive an email that grants you access to sign up for an audition location in one of several cities. We will then contact you with an audition time. If you cannot attend an in-person interview/audition, we will treat your portfolio as your audition. If needed by our faculty, we will contact you to schedule a virtual interview. More information on the auditions and registration can be found on our Audition Schedule page.

For the auditions, please prepare at least 3 pieces that best represent your abilities, musicianship, and interests. Materials may be drawn from those submitted in your Portfolio or may showcase new work. All music must be memorized.

For all auditions on the CalArts campus, an accompanist will be provided or you may bring your own. Please bring clear, legible music for all selections in the key in which you will be singing. Karaoke tracks are not suitable for the audition. 

For off-site auditions we will not provide an accompanist. You may bring your own, or, if a pianist is not available, professionally recorded piano tracks might be appropriate. If playback equipment is needed, it must be requested in advance.

Two letters of recommendation are required. At least one recommendation should be written by a person who understands your designer work, such as a performance instructor or art teacher.

All letters of recommendation should be received by the application deadline, so it is highly recommended that you contact your recommenders months before. We request that you submit the requests for your letters of recommendation through the online application, as it will allow you to track when we receive your requested letters.

Only if this is not possible, you may download the Letter of Recommendation Form (pdf) and have your recommender send their letters by mail to the Office of Admissions. Please choose only one method – either through the online application (preferred) or by mail – per recommender. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted via credentialing services such as Parchment or Naviance.

Mailed letters of recommendation should be sent to:

CalArts Office of Admissions
24700 McBean Pkwy.
Valencia, CA 91355
United States of America

Please note, letters of recommendation must be written in English or accompanied by a certified English translated document.

Via the portfolio section of the CalArts Application, you are invited to submit a portfolio that showcases your work as a creative artist and is reflective of your interests and experiences. We are interested in submissions that highlight your vocal technique and musicianship, and show your artistic inclinations. The portfolio has few specific requirements, and the choice of material is left to your discretion:

• Your portfolio materials should have a maximum combined length of 20 minutes (excerpts are fine). Your portfolio may consist of any vocal music, with a preference for experimental and/or interdisciplinary examples. Other possible selections include: original compositions; classical selections from opera, oratorio, art song; jazz; improvisation; sound-poetry; etc. Classical works that are re-contextualized and/or original work are desirable. 

• The portfolio should include at least one unedited video of a performance —we want to see you performing. High quality audio submissions are fine as long as the video requirement has been met. Live performances before an audience are preferred, if recording quality is high. 

• You may include work outside of music that informs your musical practice, including visual art, writing/poetry, dance, theater, video, and/or other practices.

• If you are a composer who works with notated music of any kind, score submissions that demonstrate this area of your creative practice are welcome.

• Materials must be labeled clearly and completely, including, for each selection: title, composer, approximate timing, date recorded, names of other participants, and any relevant notes or comments.

• Please submit a résumé and photo with your portfolio.

Your portfolio must include an artist statement of 250–500 words that includes all of the following:

• Your background in the study and practice of music, including a crucial moment in your artistic development.

• Your main musical passions and artistic influences right now – what you are currently listening to.

• Genre(s) of music you are interested in performing and studying.

• What you are interested in exploring or experimenting with at CalArts.

• What attracts you to the particular Specialization to which you are applying. You may include a CalArts class, faculty, and/or offering that excites you the most.

• Your long-term goals as a professional musician.

The faculty want to learn more about you, directly from you! We ask that you record a 60–90 second short video of you introducing yourself. You should discuss:

• Your current artistic practice or what you perform, compose, produce, arrange, write, dance/choreograph, film, etc.

• A person, place, idea, or thing that inspires you and your music.

• A new artistic approach or skill you’d like to bring into your practice that you want to learn more about or haven’t tried before.

In your Video Introduction, you should:

• Record for only 60–90 seconds

• Speak directly to the camera

• Not read from a prepared statement

• Not make edits

• Not add special effects or on-screen overlays

• Upload the video or link directly to the portfolio section of the CalArts Application

• Use the recording equipment you have; cellphone cameras or consumer cameras are okay.

Applicants applying to the VoiceArts MFA program are required to participate in an in-person interview and audition. This offers you and the panel the opportunity for greater communication, and you will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the program.

After submitting your application, you will receive an email that grants you access to sign up for an audition location in one of several cities. We will then contact you with an audition time. If you cannot attend an in-person interview/audition, we will treat your portfolio as your audition. If needed by our faculty, we will contact you to schedule a virtual interview. More information on the auditions and registration can be found on our Audition Schedule page.

Please prepare at least 15 minutes of performance material that best represents your abilities, musicianship, and interests. Materials may be drawn from those submitted in your Portfolio or may showcase new work.

For all auditions on the CalArts campus, an accompanist will be provided or you may bring your own. Please bring clear, legible music for all selections in the key in which you will be singing.

Taped accompaniments will be allowed only for pieces written specifically for voice and tape medium or for original compositions, and playback equipment must be requested in advance. Karaoke tracks are not suitable for the audition.

Three letters of recommendation are required for the BFA, three for the MFA. At least one recommendation should be written by a person who understands your designer work, such as a performance instructor or art teacher.

All letters of recommendation should be received by the application deadline, so it is highly recommended that you contact your recommenders months before. We request that you submit the requests for your letters of recommendation through the online application, as it will allow you to track when we receive your requested letters.

Only if this is not possible, you may download the Letter of Recommendation Form (pdf) and have your recommender send their letters by mail to the Office of Admissions. Please choose only one method – either through the online application (preferred) or by mail – per recommender. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted via credentialing services such as Parchment or Naviance.

Mailed letters of recommendation should be sent to:

CalArts Office of Admissions
24700 McBean Pkwy.
Valencia, CA 91355
United States of America

Please note, letters of recommendation must be written in English or accompanied by a certified English translated document.