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I think what was meant is that it’s not required to teach performance in a conservatory, but to teach performance in a non-conservatory setting (e.g., in a music department of a university) a DMA is useful (although not always required.) And yes, there are absolutely DMA performance degrees. (But you had to write a dissertation, correct? I can think of quite a few performers who would not be able/willing to do that.)</p>