<p>Angst, when I did the research for you last winter, I explained how I went through directories using your parameters/criteria. I see that I accidentally omitted USC so add that school to my original list. </p>
<p>At this point, I would now research more in depth, the schools on that list. I would have your daughter come up with her OWN list. I would have her start with the college guides, make an initial list (like I did) using her criteria. Then have her show you the list. Then have her read about each school on their website (and call and ask for more info. to be sent). She should jot down a bunch of things she found out about each school and see which appeal the most to her. Then she should bring that information to you and discuss further. She needs to own the process. My kids did their own research and I was a guide and support and facilitator to that. I did not find the schools for them. I surely was involved but they were doing this process with my guidance of what needs to be done when but they actually did the tasks themselves. They chose the schools. I gave you the names of the directories I used for the search I made for you. Next stop is to have her research these specific programs. </p>
<p>Following up on NYTheatermom's post,
I believe the New School, in terms of music, is affiliated with Mannes College Of Music which is on the list I came up with for you, Angstridden.</p>
<p>I just want to add, though I realize others joining this discussion are not aware of previous threads on this topic last winter on the Parent Forum...that I had also mentioned to you that your D must decide if she even wants to enter a BM program in voice because at most of these schools, that entails classical voice (see Mannes as an example). That is why I had suggested Berklee or Belmont, as having the kind of music your D wanted. A couple programs on the list I gave you might have contemporary or commercial music, based on preliminary research I did on your behalf (examples...Five Towns has songwriting major and music business major and Musician's Institute has commercial music). At this juncture, you need to read about each school's program to narrow the list, not which is how many miles from the city center. Some of these schools's programs might not appeal whatsoever to your D. That is why you need to narrow the list based on the actual college program at this point.</p>
<p>soozievt and I are on the same page on this issue. I would not pick a school based primarily on location. (But of course one of the factors when looking doing the college search would be to factor in if the student wants a school in a large city vs. college town, etc.) If your daughter is insistent on wanting to be in NYC or LA and you can't find a university that seems to be a good fit you might research two year options or programs that are not afflitated with a university. I don't know of any, but someone else might. Good luck!</p>
<p>Cal State Northridge might be a possibility. Located just outside of LA, it is supposed to have an incredible jazz program, my friend's son is there for drums, and is working in the industry while going to school. They have a drama program, and the music website mentions the ability to mix a music major with another discipline, which might work with theatre. And there are certainly lots of pop singers close by. I don't know anything about the vocal program, but it's worth a phone call.</p>
<p>Good luck to you and your D. It's hard to find the right niche for kids.</p>
<p>Susan
Actually the list is quite extensive...If we discover for example that Suny Purchase is 1 hour from the city, knowing that other schools are closer and may offer what she wants is where we want to start. Then if we need to broaden that circle we will. </p>
<p>This may not be your approach..and in many situations it will not be the right approach, but we feel this is right for her, given what she wants to accomplish.</p>
<p>Anothermom...someone else mentioned Cal State Northridge..so we will pop that on the list. Thanks!</p>
<p>Happy..if D. wanted to go into a different type of profession I would agree with you. But for what she wants to do, we feel getting in the right location will be very beneficial in the long run.</p>
<p>Mary Anna, to my knowledge, Angstridden's D is not looking for musical theater programs. Her D is interested in popular or contemporary music with the aim of becoming a pop singer. The programs you named are excellent alternatives for those seeking theater training from a two year certificate program. My D's voice and acting teachers are on the faculty of Circle in the Square and I am aware of that program (as well as know those who go there) but that has not been what Angst has said she is looking for, at least in the past, as I have read her posts on this topic for a couple of years (on other CC forums). There are not a lot of programs geared toward commercial or popular music but Berklee and Belmont are two that come up in that regard. Her D will have to decide what KIND of degree program she wants, beyond the "location" criteria. There are theater programs and then there are BM in vocal performance though most of the latter are heavy on classical voice training. A COUPLE of the music programs that I listed for her mention some related programs in her area of interest and that is why it might be a good idea at this point to narrow the focus as to which type of program she wants (beyond where it is located) and then research their websites as a point of departure. I could be wrong about her not wanting a theater program but up until now, over a period of time, the posts I have read talked of wanting popular music. I know that is the career goal but am unclear the type of college degree program she wishes to pursue. The location, that I know :D. My advice is if she is deadset on it having to be IN NYC or LA....then look for schools that have the PROGRAMS she wants AND the location. Narrow it down by BOTH those criteria, not just location. Picking a college involves weighing a myriad of preferences and criteria (which are individual or personal), but usually not just one. I'd take that longer list and at this point, research each one of them by whatever OTHER criteria she has (am unclear on her other parameters) and go from there. I would not yet narrow it further as to distance from downtown until I knew more about what they offered. It is already narrowed by two metropolitan areas. Perhaps Angst might share what her D's other college criteria are in terms of selecting a college and people might be able to advise further about this list. Researching each one simply on their websites will also yield preliminary information.</p>
<p>D. wants to be a pop singer/actress. We are trying to compile a list of schools in the CA and NY area that would offer a major that would help her in this arena..that could be vocal performance and or acting. Schools should be close enough to LA or NYC to offer audition opportunites. Not looking for an MT major. </p>
<p>I'm just going off of this post. She says ACTING</p>
<p>Mary Anna, yes, I saw that ("acting") and hope Angstridden might clarify. You see, I have read Angst's posts for a couple years, not just on the MT Forum but on the Parent Forum, in which she has discussed her D's career aspirations to be a "pop star". Her previous inquiries were about programs for this in particular, and in NYC or LA. I can give you links to all the previous discussions. The college list she quoted on this thread comes from a thread last winter and I compiled that list for her at that time. I realize others are coming into this "conversation" now and all the responses, including your own, are quite fruitful. I'm coming into it with more of a "history" or more information, so that's why I was responding in this way. I know her child's career aspirations and where she wants to attend school (the locations) but it is still unclear which sort of program she is striving for. At one time, we discussed programs where she might train in popular music. There are not that many of those but Berklee and Belmont come to the forefront. If she wants to do a BM in music, I found that list of schools for her. Just a couple include contemporary/popular music or the recording/music industry. The rest are likely BM's in vocal performance. If she is looking to major in theater, that is a different list, yes. She did write "acting" on this thread (again, this is something new, not on the previous inquiry) and perhaps she is considering theater programs. If so, YOUR suggestion of the two year certificate programs is a very good one! For me, I would only want my kid in a theater training program if she truly wanted to pursue theater and I am not sure that is what they are looking for, but I'll let her clarify it. She has said she is not looking for more training necessarily, but simply to go to college in one of these cities while she pursues career opportunities in those cities. Perhaps the program offerings are not of primary concern to them, I am not sure and so hopefully Angst might clarify that. </p>
<p>I simply am privy to many threads from last winter on this topic and thus am bringing that information to bear in this discussion, that's all. Perhaps I could link to those threads: </p>
<p>USC has a great vocal training program, but their acting strengths lie if film & tv genre.</p>
<p>Cal State Fullerton is 45 minutes from LA by car (without traffic).</p>
<p>I think that all the LA schools you listed are not going to focus on pop/jazz - rather, their vocal programs emphasize opera/art song in the vocal dept. In the theatre, you will likewise not receive solely "pop" training.</p>
<p>If you are interested in an acting school, LA City College Theatre Academy is THE BEST in the area - but it is a conservatory (not a degree program). Excellent training, and it is right next to Hollywood. Their list of alumni is impressive, and their quality in production is extraordinary:</p>
<p>Eve, you are right that almost all the music programs/colleges listed, be it in LA or NYC mostly focus on classical voice training. That is why I am not sure if listing schools in these cities is that meaningful without knowing just what kind of college program she is looking to do...like what college criteria other than location does she want? If not classical voice training or not a theater program, what course of study would she like to do? She said it need not be IN popular voice, though that is where her aspirations lie.</p>
<p>Some kids go to college but pursue being a singer or in a band on the side. This is also an option. I know kids who have CDs and gigs who have done this. </p>
<p>From previous threads, I think Angst's D wants to go to the city and audition. This is tricky to do while a college student. One option might be to defer college for a year, go to the city and pursue auditions. One dilemma that may arise while being a student if going to outside auditions is what to do if one comes through? That enters my mind for my own kid too. Do you take the opportunity or stay with the program? Do you take a leave of absence or what? Those are issues that are sure to arise. </p>
<p>I'm with you. If a student in our program took an outside gig and couldn't perform their class duties (or regular attendance - as absences affect the grade in ALL performance classes), or weren't available for casting in production because of outside commitments, they would be dropped from the program.</p>
<p>It's one thing to take a national tour and thus a hiatus from your studies (with the expectation to return after the work stops coming). It's another to "dabble" in education while trying to jump start a career in performing/recording. If you aren't focused on one or the other in this competitive industry, you cannot hope to succeed in either.</p>
<p>I'm with Suzie in this respect - school is for the diligent and the hungry, not for the dabbler. Unless you are pursuing a VERY liberal arts degree (which doesn't provide enough depth in training to be of much use to your professional career), it is likely you will be dumped from any program if you aren't there to excel and compete 100%.</p>
<p>Hi all..
Ok let me explain in depth. D's goal is to have a multifaceted career. She would like to sing, act etc. Her primary interest is and has always been since she was little singing. </p>
<p>As we all know you do not need a degree to become a pop singer. We also know that making a living in this arena depends alot on a variety of factors including luck and timing and will be difficult. At this point from her training, she has the skills she needs for what she wants to do. But you dont just go out and say ..here I am ..you have to send out demos, bang on doors etc.
And this is something she has told me she plans to pursue for her entire life..even if she is an old lady..she is going for it.</p>
<p>No matter how talented someone is..the odds of making a living in this arena are still slim. So getting that college degree will be a back up ticket.
Now she could take a year off prior to college and bang on doors and what if she doesnt make it, in one year..well she is going to keep banging. It may take alot of time to get where she wants to go.</p>
<p>While she is banging she is going to have to have some sort of job.
So with the degree she is likely to get a better one than without. </p>
<p>The goal for her then is to put her in the location where she will get her feet wet, explore and see whats out there. She wants to be near the major players.</p>
<p>We can always improve at our craft, but she has the skills she needs to succeed now. She would rather go to school in the area where the major players are and major in a program that is related to what she wants to do, than go to another school where there is say a direct major, but is not in the right location where the major studios are.</p>
<p>She does not want to be a classical singer (though she had a lot of training in that and could go that route if she wanted) she wants to be a pop singer...so if the school offers classical voice only then acting would be the better choice as she wants to act also.</p>
<p>I understand the feeling some of you have of going where the best major/program is..though kids change majors all the time.</p>
<p>However, her logic and reasons make good sense to me.</p>
<p>I should also share that I have a Masters Degree in Education. Education is not something I take lightly. </p>
<p>I talked with a number of people in the field..they all said..Go to college..but go to LA , NY or Nashville.
We have carefully thought through this..and we feel it is the right decision for her to let location be a driving factor.</p>
<p>Well, since you mentioned Nashville in this post, I really think looking at Belmont makes a ton of sense - gobs of industry contact, a major in the field, and one of your top 3 locations. The two coasts may end up being a better fit, but I'd say it was worth examining.</p>