<p>Hi, so I think Carnegie Mellon is becoming a stronger option for me for vocal performance now that they brought their price down. Does anybody have any comments or opinions about the School of Music? And if I do decide to go there, which teacher would you reccomend: Douglas Ahlstedt, Raymond Blackwell, Richard Cowan, Roseanna Irwin, Betsy Lawrence, Mildred Miller Posvar, Stephen Trotter, and Laura Knoop Very. Thank you so much!</p>
<p>check them out at the new forum for classical singers. If you sign up for a free account, it works alot like CC, you can simply ask the question in the Recommendations and Warnings forum and someone will have beable to give you advice. And it will be from actually people that studied with them not hear say.</p>
<p>I would be interested in an updated appraisal: </p>
<p>Jennifer Aylmer</p>
<p>Douglas Ahlstedt</p>
<p>Thomas Douglas</p>
<p>Maria Spacagna</p>
<p>Roseanna Irwin</p>
<p>Also, where exactly is this “new forum for classical singers?” Does it still exist and what is the URL</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>[The</a> New Forum for Classical Singers](<a href=“NameBright - Domain Expired”>http://www.nfcs.net/)</p>
<p>A word to the wise…do alot of research and ask intelligent informed questions. It can get pretty snark on there since there is alot of questions already answered previously and they do not like to have their time wasted nor spoon feed newbies. Do a search in each of the forums first - there is no search engine that searches the entire site at once.</p>
<p>Well, not sure what you mean…how else to get info about specific professors?</p>
<p>Do a search first for each of the professor’s names in each of the individual forums. Then do a general search for the school name. Their search engine is poor, however, there is a ton of info there. Alot of your questions have probably been answered before. After you do your research, then ask your question in a separate thread making sure to state that you searched first but still had further questions. </p>
<p>Just remember all of these forums are just people’s personal opinions and their responses are no indication that those teachers will be a perfect fit for you. It does give you a better feeling when you read alot of positive comments and little or no negative ones. Then it’s time to take trial lessons.</p>
<p>Thank you, yes, I did do those searches…there is simply so much turnover that there is only essentially mention of one of the current faculty , that being Douglas Ahlstedt. I have found some brief commentary of Maria Spacagna from her time in Boston and NYC, but I was hoping someone currently or recently at CMU might have some sort of actual opinion…I guess they ain’t on these here boards! Oh well, rollin’ the dice…</p>
<p>But you didn’t ask your question in a separate thread like I mentioned. If you don’t get a response in a few days, start a brand new thread so no one will gripe at you for digging up a thread that is 2 years old or worse, just ignore you. Tough crowd but they have alot of good information. Good Luck!</p>
<p>While there are a few generous professionals offering opinions on the New Forum for Classical Singers, much of it is aggressive and snide. Take every opinion you read there as just that, one person’s opinion. Many who post there have had a difficult time and their bitterness is shared. It is probably a good reality check, however. It is not the same kind of forum as CC at all.</p>
<p>Agreed, Lorelei! The majority of postings on the other site seem to be from older students and it’s more of a “I had this experience” or “I know someone who had a terrible time with…” sort of place. Great for info about auditions and YAPs though!</p>