Inspiring the Next Generation of Musicians and Scholars
The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music and Drama at The Catholic University of America is a leading center for musical excellence, creative exploration, and academic achievement. Grounded in a rich liberal arts and Catholic intellectual tradition, the school fosters an environment where performance, scholarship, and innovation thrive together. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, it offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs that cultivate students’ artistic and intellectual growth. With guidance from distinguished faculty and access to the vibrant arts community of Washington, D.C., students gain exceptional performance experience and mentorship from world-renowned artists. Alumni continue to earn national and international recognition as performers, educators, composers, conductors, and scholars.
Recent Alumni Success Stories
Naima B., DMA Conducting ’24
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Conducted the National Philharmonic in Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 (2025)
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Finalist, Doráti International Conducting Competition, Budapest
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Current Roles:
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Virginia State University – Director of Orchestral Activities; Instructor of Violin and Conducting
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University of Richmond – Faculty member; Conductor, University Symphony Orchestra
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Petersburg Symphony Orchestra – Music Director since 2022
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Roman V., BM Violin Performance (Sophomore)
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Two-time winner, International Ukrainian Music Competition (US)
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Performing at Carnegie Hall in February 2026
Lian Q.(DMA, Cello Performance) and Chao Lucas Liu (DMA, Piano Pedagogy)**
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Grand Prize winners, 2025 APEX 6th International Music Competition (New York City)
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Performed at the Carnegie Zankel Hall Gala Concert on June 6, 2025
Nathan B., BM Collaborative Piano ’15
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Winner, 2025 American Prize in Opera Conducting
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Currently Second Kapellmeister at the Deutsches Nationaltheater and Staatskapelle Weimar (Germany)
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Former Kapellmeister and Répétiteur, Saarländisches Staatstheater, Saarbrücken (2018–2023)
Dr. Mary V., DMA Piano Pedagogy ’24
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Appointed to the piano faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University (Fall 2025)
Dr. Jessie C., DMA Piano Performance ’12
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Recently appointed to teach music and piano at an international school in Croatia
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Previously taught in India and Kabul, Afghanistan, preparing students for IB examinations
Why Study Music in DC?
Washington, D.C., offers a broad array of music and arts venues. This not only gives our students the chance to regularly attend world-class performances, it gives them the chance to perform in these venues as well.
Our students have performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts more than 50 times. It’s where we held our 50th anniversary gala concert.
Our students also perform regularly at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, adjacent to our campus and a brief walk from the music departments. The university’s annual Christmas Concert for Charity is held in the Basilica’s Great Upper Church every year.
With a Metro stop next to campus, students are just minutes away from venues that host some of the world’s greatest orchestras, singers, and performers. Sometimes these same performers even conduct master classes with our students right on campus!
Student Involvement
With every on-campus event, student production, club meeting and service activity, you have the opportunity to investigate and discover unknown passions and hidden talents. Each and every time, waking you up a little bit more to who you are — who you want to be.
We have arts-specific student organizations, such as the CenterStage Theater Company, Pure Alignment Dance Group, and Redline and Take Note a cappella groups. All students can also audition for our main-stage opera, drama and musical theatre productions, and can join the Chamber Choir, University Singers, CUA Symphony Orchestra, CUA Wind Ensemble, and CUA Pep Band.
Did you know?
The Opera Department was recently featured in the 50th Anniversary edition of Ambassador Magazine - National Italian American Foundation! You can read more about it here!
The Catholic University Chamber Choir will perform at Carnegie Hall in 2026 with The Choral Arts Society of Washington, under Artistic Director Marie Bucoy-Calavan.
In 2025, the Choir collaborated with renowned composer Sir James MacMillan to record and perform choral works for the Welcoming Children in Worship program.
Peter Kadeli, D.M., Head of the Sacred Music Academic Area and Director of Choral Activities , was recently recognized among the nation’s top conductors, earning Second Place (tie) in The American Prize in Conducting — The Dale Warland Award in Choral Conducting (College/University Division).
