Hi! Overjoyed with the acceptance to VP/MT at Steinhardt. D is 80% sure she will commit - I am interested in opinions about adequate dance training at Steinhardt!
The dance classes offered are good. But, many students supplement by taking classes outside of school that are reasonably priced.
@uskoolfish - D is sitting in on classes today. She is so excited. Husband would not let her officially commit until she did this. Any downsides to this program that come to mind? Can you tell me a little about your child’s experience/ journey? Thank you!
@sleepymom D loved the program and her time at NYU. She had a wonderful voice teacher who worked with her all four years. If I were going to speak about any downsides to the program, they are the things that you would expect, pursuing a BM degree vs. a theatre degree. In other words, the programs emphasis is more on developing your voice and how you perform and act a song, rather than any straight acting. Same for the dance component. It is just not as strong a component in the program as voice. But that said, most students are coming into the program with dance and acting experience (and many with real talent in those areas). Several recent alumni have been on Broadway/ tours with dance-heavy roles.
As for my D’s journey, she is currently 4 years out of school. By the end of Sophomore year, when she chose to stay in the city and intern instead of do summer stock, I knew that she was headed away from the idea of being a full time performer. She had been on enough open calls, spoken to enough graduated students and was more interested in working at Disney or Dreamworks than being on stage.
This did not come as a total surprise. She had been torn from the onset and enjoyed both the performing and business side of entertainment. That was one of the reasons we chose NYU from the beginning. She was able to pursue musical theatre, yet at the same side be in an academic school that offered other options. She ended up graduating with her BM degree and two minors. One in English lit and the other in The Business of Media, Entertainment and Technology.
After graduation she has performed in small venues/ and with friends, but her career has been focused on the entertainment business. She has worked for Telsey Casting, CAA in their theatre department (a major talent agency) and is currently doing marketing for an entertainment law firm.
She is currently studying for the GMAT and is considering going for her MBA in another year.
Personally, I think that she will ultimately get more involved performing again at another point in her life (like in her 30’s and 40’s). I think that she loves performing, but wanted a more conventional career and structured life. She knows a lot of casting people and producers and I can see her one day deciding to audition for that perfect role. She still takes occasional voice lessons with her voice teacher from NYU. She doesn’t at all regret her decision to major in MT. Even when speaking to MBA admissions people at top programs, her unique background is an asset and makes her stand out.
And guess what her top MBA pick is–yup! NYU Stern!
Did your daugher accept Steinhardt? Can answer questions if you like. Wish I had seen this prior to her pick. Steinhardt is fantastic!