I recently got Accepted to both Rider and Point park and I’m having a hard time deciding which one to go to. I went to a performing arts high school as a vocal major but I’m extremely passionate about dance more particularly hip hop although I also would love to learn ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Basically i’m looking for an MT program with a good dance and vocal curriculum, Does anybody have any input on both schools?
@GeminiTheTwins - did you visit both? I think you have two winners there so there’s no bad choice. I think of PP as being particularly strong in dance.
Tagging @CTDramaMom who has a daughter at Point Park.
My daughter is a junior MT at Park Park and I know she’d be happy to talk to you. If you like, PM me and I can pass on your contact information. She is very happy there, and there dance is especially strong. She also loves her voice teacher, who she has had for all of her three years there.
@CaMom13 I’ve only visited Rider, i’m planning to visit point park soon, but to be honest, I really don’t mind the location of a school if it has a good program
Definitely visit both schools if possible. I am not familiar at all with Rider. Our S was accepted to Point Park, but after visiting the three schools were he was accepted, he decided he really wanted a university campus atmosphere. It was very much a personal preference at that point.
Definitely try to visit Point Park for the COPA experience day. You will learn so much about the school. My daughter loves the program, and the dance is excellent at PPU!
@mezzomother I really wanted to but its the same day as my competition in New Jersey
@GeminiTheTwins We actually didn’t visit on COPA experience day either. We went a different weekend, and the admissions office and MT dept was super accommodating. So, still try to visit if you can.
@GeminiTheTwins, you can arrange a visit any day, and if you do it before classes end you’ll be able to sit in on some and meet with Zeva Barzell. That’s what my daughter did, as she couldn’t make COPA experience day either.
As others have said, there’s no bad choice because you do have two fantastic options in front of you! If it were me, I would look HEAVILY at Point Park. The dance training there is FIERCE and you absolutely will leave as a significantly better dancer. They kick your butt and it shows, those kids can really move. Rider is great as well, and I worked with someone who goes there last summer. He loves it and he’s a dancer. Ultimately, you probably won’t know until you’ve visited both so if you have time, I do recommend going to PU and seeing what’s up.
@CTDramaMom Hi, I’m particularly new with college confidential and could not figure out how to private message people. But I just wanted to know how strong the vocal component is at point park as well. Thank you!
@GeminiTheTwins ~ You need a few more posts before you can private message. It used to be 10 but I think it is now 15.
@GeminiTheTwins My daughter absolutely loves her vocal teacher. I’d say the vocal component is very excellent! You get a one hour private voice lesson per week, and a pianist for your lessons and rehearsals. All the singers that I have heard there are amazing!
@GeminiTheTwins I agree with @mezzomother. My daughter has had the same voice teacher for all her three years there and loves her. And I’ve definitely heard the growth in her vocally. And as mezzomother said, all the singers I have heard there are excellent.
@CTDramaMom @mezzomother Is their vocal classes geared more towards a certain singing style? Like is it more legit or contemporary? Also do they offer master classes?
@GeminiTheTwins My daughter is studying both classical and MT selections in her lessons. She had to both for her jury which was last Saturday. They really work on the technique of singing, and she has learned so much new! Yes, I’m pretty sure about masterclasses, really more workshops. Hopefully @CTDramaMom can speak more to that.
@GeminiTheTwins well, my daughter’s voice teacher is an opera singer. My daughter just went and saw her perform in La Boheme. My daughter is a soprano, and she has definitely worked with her on both her head and chest voice, and mixing them properly. There are master classes with visiting touring casts. My daughter recently had the opportunity to work with cast members from the tour of Hamilton.
I’m probably bias since I am likely going to attend Point Park, but they have AMAZING dance opportunities. They have the dance minor which allows you to take dance with the dance majors (and their dance program is phenomenal). Even if you don’t do the minor the regular classes are rigorous and it’s possible to add more. I also know the voice is very strong (they focus on classical and contemporary) and it’s possible to add in extra music courses as well.
@CTDramaMom @mezzomother Can you guys tell me about their Senior Showcase? Is every senior allowed to participate in it? because I know some schools like Syracuse, pick only a couple of students to showcase.