<p>Hello. I'm a recent graduate (24 yo) who received my Bachelor's in Vocal Performance (classical). Now I'm looking for grad schools I can most benefit from. I've already researched NYU Steinhardt, Queens NYU, Shenandoah University, etc., but I still would like to read other people's opinion the listed schools/non-listed schools. My mind is literally spinning because I have so many schools to choose from, including international schools.</p>
<p>I love classical music (art songs, contemporary), but I also enjoy other genres (popular, alternative, jazz, other). Of course classical music has opened my mind to many other aspects, since being introduced to it 5 years ago, but I'm so comfortable in singing contemporary/jazz/pop styles. I'm definitely trying to avoid programs that focus on opera.</p>
<p>I want the training and ability to be a great artist, but I also want to be able to teach as well: just in case/as a backup. </p>
<p>Okay. I'm rambling now.</p>
<p>Any suggestions? All feedback/questions are appreciated.</p>
<p>14 views and still no response?</p>
<p>The lack of response is because MM voice programs that meet your requirements as to NOT focusing on opera and singing jazz, pop, et al, are virtually non-existent. The research you’ve done up to this point will have shown you that and in truth, at your. age and level of experience you simply can’t study and perform all of the genres you listed with a hope of mastering any of them.
Am I reading your post correctly: did you just begin the study of classical voice in your senior year of high school? If you are a 2014 graduate of a VP program, that would indeed be the case. Gaining admission to a good program with virtually no training at all would be highly unusual, so I’m wondering if you are male, since guys are in such demand that chances may be taken to encourage them. And you are obviously taking this year, 2014-2015 as a gap year.
You mention teaching, and I am one who will say never to consider teaching as a “back up”. Kids deserve better than a teacher who is just there because they HAVE to be. If you want to teach at the K-12 level, you’ll need a degree in Music Education, which you can get at the Master’s level. To teach in a private studio, you don’t need education credentials and to work at the university level, you’ll need not only a MM but also a DMA (and schools would much prefer that you have some good performance credits on your resume as well).</p>
<p>What do you really want to do with your life? Where do you see yourself in 5 years, in 10? </p>
<p>A friend of mine is going to unt for jazz voice.</p>
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<p>Maybe the other 13 are people like me who have no helpful advice but wish you well in your quest.</p>
<p>I have veiwed several times trying to figure out what to say. I do not have a good sense of where you want to go with your degree. Agree with Mezzo’sMama do not use k-12 teaching as a back up plan. If you are not passionate about teaching children it does them no favors. If you have a vision of the performance person you want to be, the masters is the next step choosing the best teacher(s) and school to get you there. People who know your skills and marketablilty are the best to help out. Realistically though, people going into jazz, pop etc do not do a masters program but get into the industry. All of the masters progams will have courses that teach you how to teach if you want to start a private studio. But those need to be built on some private success, too.</p>
<p>In looking at the schools you researched, what drew you to them? I have no info on those you listed.</p>
<p>All because I want to be able to teach as a backup plan does not mean I’m doing it for a desperate attempt to have a career. You took what I said totally out of context. Pedagogy is something that I’m very intrigued in; I would not mind teaching because it’s music; everything about music is a beautiful experience. I want to educate and be educated. Before college
, I could slightly read music, and I knew how to sing scales, and I had a well-trained ear. It doesn’t matter if you have a lack of experience. If you have the potential, you can get into a good college; I’ve seen it happen to many other colleagues of mine who lack experience. A passion for music is all you need, in my opinion. I told you I was rambling. 
anyway, I was trained in the classical genre, but I didn’t know if I wanted to stay in that route or tackle another genre. Shenandoah is what I’m probably going to apply for; it has a CCM pedagogy program and it has a vocal performance program. I’m going to contact them and see if I could possibly major in both. </p>
<p>All three schools listed are highly known for their vocal programs. CCM and Classical for Shenandoah, Classical/ musical theatre for Steinhardt, and Opera and Classical for UT</p>