D is currently a junior in HS. She is a prospective vocal performance major with equal interest in opera and musical theater. For the summer she had been accepted into WNO Opera Institute with a scholarship (3 weeks program), CCM Immersion voice workshop (2 weeks), and Oberlin vocal academy (10 days). We have to make a decision by April 1st, but have no idea what to choose. All 3 programs sound amazing. I was hoping that other parents with knowledge of the programs can weigh in for us… Thank you!
Congrats to your D on acceptances to 3 great programs. I can only speak firsthand about WNO Opera Institute. And, if you search on WNO you’ll find several other threads about CC members’ experiences there. My D attended last summer and had a fabulous time. It’s a very well-run, intense learning experience and not for the faint of heart. The kids are expected to do serious homework each night, including write some short research papers, as well as learn their repertoire, transcribe and translate Italian, etc., in preparation for classes and private lessons. However all of these experiences lead to so many opportunities for growth as a musician and vocalist. The kids tend to bond instantly and make lasting friendships. Despite the hard work, there is a lot of opportunity for socializing and touring D.C. on the weekends. There are excellent voice teachers and coaches, and the classes (opera history, theory, diction) are well done. Plus there are several master classes with well-known opera performers throughout the 3 weeks, and three major performance opportunities. Kids who do well and enjoy this program tend to already know that they love opera and are not afraid of sometimes harsh criticism. For my D, who is a self-starter and has relatively “thick skin”, it basically launched her into a period of extreme growth which was perfectly timed – right before audition season.
Many of D’s friends from WNO either had done Oberlin’s vocal academy the summer before, or did both last summer. Not sure of the timing, but I think they were able to go right before or right after WNO. Obviously that would depend on the funds and time your D has available. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Oberlin’s program as well, and it seems like one of the benefits of going to Oberlin would be getting to know their faculty and campus prior to auditioning there (if it’s on your D’s list).
Best of luck making the decision!!
RKopera, thanks so much! Very helpful information.
I completely agree with @RKopera.
WNO flows nicely into The Oberlin Summer Vocal Intensive time wise. My D did WNO the summer before her juniour year and Oberlin last summer, but we know singers who’ve done them back to back.
Being at Oberlin for 10 days really solidified my D’s connections to faculty and the campus. She kept in touch and when she went back to audition she was given an incredible welcome.
My D applied and was accepted at the CCM immersion ( the give loads of scholarship money, too) but the timing was not doable for her. It is a very reputable program.
Congrats to your child on her wonderful summer acceptances and options.
My D also did Oberlin Con’s Vocal Academy last summer and remarked that several students had also done WNO the month before, so it is very doable. She enjoyed her Oberlin experience very much, enjoyed being among like-minded serious vocalists, and found the profs’ input invaluable. She changed her audition rep based on their input.
Let me know if she decides in Oberlin since my daughter was also accepted and will attend this summer. She is also a Junior in high school.
Actually, this year WNO and Oberlin programs overlap. If they won’t, this wouldn’t be a probem :((
As far as CCM, I did not see any scholarhsip offers on the website. I would love to check it out, it would have been a great help.
Oh, that’s unfortunate. Last year Oberlin started on 7/24.
When my D applied to the CCM program 2 years ago there was an aid/scholarship portion, it was party of the application.
Sorry not to be more helpful.
You might consider that if your daughter would like to apply to Oberlin Con for her undergrad, it would be very helpful to her to attend the summer program. She would get to experience the school as well as meet teachers and create relationships. That said, my daughter loved WNO and learned a lot there. She also did her undergrad at Oberlin and loved it there. You have some great choices.
colorturadad, we are leaning toward Oberlin. Will have to make up our mind by Monday, including registration payment, or course.
Thank you everyone for your valuable input!