<p>Amy Rogers and Rob Meffe stress that the emphasis at Pace is put on the “singing actor”! When asked what the “the primary emphasis of your training” is, they say that it is the fusion of acting while singing. </p>
<p>Both, Amy and Rob, come from a music background so the voice teachers are put through a very rigorous selection process. We have 5 voice teachers that are matched up with students based on previous training and learning style. We get private lessons for 1-hour, once a week, for four years. We also get a 15 minute coaching with one of three accompanists/ coaches once a week for learning/ choosing new material.</p>
<p>Music Theory/ Sight Singing/ Piano is taught by the inimitable Ryan Scott Oliver. Who the students call, for lack of a better word, a “Theory Nazi”. Everyone says it is THE hardest class that you take in your entire Pace career. This is taken for 3 hours a week for the entirety of freshman year. There are 3 levels of music theory that freshman can be placed into.</p>
<p>Dance has been highly, highly evolved since I was a freshman. We now have classes in hip-hop, contemporary, MT Song& Dance, aerial, along with all the other traditional classes (ballet, tap, jazz, modern, MT Styles, etc.,). Both ballet and all MT dance classes include partnering and cover all genres and decades of dance. The dance classes are leveled, and students are split up freshman year into these different levels. The levels range from Ballet I-V, Jazz I-V, Tap I-III, and MT Styles I-IV. The AMOUNT of dance taken is at the students’ discretion. They have to take AT LEAST twice a week, but some students are able to fit in 5 hours a day, every day.</p>
<p>Acting training is split up into two categories. Your “fundamental” acting class freshman year with the Acting professors and Acting majors and your upper level MT Acting classes with the MT faculty. This is what is required, some students go above and beyond and take “straight” acting classes all four years. The acting training is based in Stanislavski, with a taste of many different acting methodologies. Freshman year they take “straight acting” all year; sophomore year they take “stage movement” from the acting faculty, MT Song from the MT faculty, and MT History and Repertoire; junior year they take MT Song and MT Scene Study; senior year they take Audition Technique and Senior Showcase. </p>
<p>We also take Business of Acting in our senior year, taught by the incredible people at The Savvy Actor! As well as senior showcase, taught by, casting director, Bob Cline.</p>
<p>Another part of the training that I have found to be invaluable is the performing opportunities. There are over 60 performance opportunities a year, including the Mainstage Season, directing major shows, one- act festivals, directing festivals, and productions by the Student run theatre groups. Along, with all of the outside, professional opportunities that are given to us. </p>
<p>I’m a senior, and I can honestly say that the Pace MT Program has rounded itself out incredibly! When I was an underclassmen there were some MAAAAAJOR holes and weak spots in the training, but we’ve grown so much as a program that the University has rewarded us with more $ and thus muuuuuch more intensive training. And we’re getting our own building in the Fall, HOW EXCITING! Even though I won’t be here anymore, I’m very proud to say that I’m an alumna of Pace University’s Musical Theatre Program.</p>
<p>Hope this answers some questions!</p>