<p>^Okay. I get it now. I’ll tell my son … and I’ll google the Early Music Certificate now for myself, just out of curiosity. Thanks!</p>
<p>^ Regarding voice teachers, it’s a good idea to see what their students are doing…getting work, winning competitions, etc. Having a great voice/career does not mean you can actually teach others how to do it.</p>
<p>This was exactly what my son’s private voice teacher said as he looks for undergrad schools. Some schools might pull a performer with a big name and draw, but that does not necessarily make them the best teacher per se.</p>
<p>I don’t think the quality of the teacher…and the level to which that teacher excites the new applicant…can ever be underestimated in this equation of selecting a given school. </p>
<p>Granted, one’s first impression of an individual may not prove to be accurate. But I myself believe it to be far more important than some nebulous reputation a given school has (usually, from some listing in a magazine or online) in the applicant’s mind.</p>
<p>As an aside, speaking of CIM, my S is presently awaiting their decision regarding his admission into the BM (not MM) VP program; and our whole family fell in love with just about everything about the school itself during our visit. </p>
<p>However, we were far LESS enamored with his personal experience with a specific faculty member on audition day; which has had a clear negative impact on his decision-making thought process toward the school (regardless if they give him a yes or no answer).</p>
<p>My son is actually on the same path. He is a junior undergrad and is looking for graduate schools for opera. He is a baritone. He was given school names: julliard, mannes, manhattan, curts, ACA. He has emailed the schools asking for a voice lesson. Hasn’t heard thing yet. He is also considering cincinnatti and Indiana. Any advice??</p>
<p>Hi Kansas, the schools do not arrange the lessons, professors do. If he hasn’t started already he should be researching which professors he wants to study with and connect with them either through email, phone or summer programs. He should reach out to other students and get advice from his current school faculty, people who know his voice.</p>
<p>Only some schools have departmental secretaries, and those are usually only at the large, state university-type places. If one has tried several times and failed to contact a particular prof, then it’s permissible to look for another way to get in touch. A surprisingly large number of profs don’t check their e-mail (or even really use it), so getting a studio phone number or an alternative means of contact is obviously necessary- this is when it’s OK to call the Admissions Dept to ask for help.
It’s always good to check out the school’s calendar to make sure that classes are in session or the department isn’t involved in opera production week or the like during the time you’re trying to reach a teacher!</p>