<p>I went to elementary school and high school on an American army post in Seoul because my dad worked for the military. In high school, I made extra money by doing voice-overs (I was sought out for it specifically because I was known as a singer - I always did lots of live events for Seoul Rotary Club, charity organizations, etc.) Because it is SO lucrative financially, I decided to come back here after being cut from the U of Arizona's MT program, so I could make enough money to transfer to another school and face another 3 (or even 4) years of tuition - this time all alone without my parents' help. Also, it doesn't hurt that voice-overs are a big part of the acting industry and incredibly hard to break into in the States - I figure my 8+ years of experience will give me an edge over all the others trying to get work in that area. I have many commercials, animations, and narrations on television and at tourist attractions throughout Seoul, so lots of good credits for the resume, but absolutely no conflicts of interest with commercials in the States. It's a pretty good deal, and I'm rolling in dough, which is always nice. I can save $3000-4000 a month here and still have more than enough money for regular living expenses and recreation (read:shopping trips to Shanghai. I love Shanghai. I got the best Gucci and Coach knock-off purses for like $15 each...amazing quality, amazing prices, go to Shanghai today!)</p>
<p>In spite of the inconvenience of time zones and having to travel so far to audition for schools, it really just makes sense for me to be here right now. The money I would make it the States is about a tenth of what I make here, and I wouldn't be able to save anything at all. Can't go to college without money! (And just so you know, I plan on paying tuition completely with loans - all the money I'm saving is for living expenses for the 3 years I spend in school, so I won't have to kill myself with an intensive MT program AND a part-time job or something crazy like that.)</p>
<p>There ya go! Man, I can't write anything these days without it turning into an essay!</p>
<p>Oh, and as for your other question, no I don't do musical theatre here. There are no foreign MT companies (only straight theatre, and the two companies I know of have terrible taste in plays...). It really kills me not being able to do shows while I'm here, but on the other hand, I do get asked to sing cabaret-style at a lot of events around Seoul, and I am making my living off of my acting and singing abilities...so I guess it's not so bad.</p>
<p>But I REALLY want to do shows again...can't wait to go back to school.</p>
<p>LOTS of good points MusThCC! Brava!</p>
<p>Lorilei (sp)</p>
<p>In daughters case it was a vocal competition. All who wanted were allowed to participate (whether or not they were a student) and the winners (two were selected )were given free lessons for a year. D. did not do anything for this teacher other than participate in a few little things which were for Her (D's) benefit. Winners were chosen based on a vocal competition where they sang and the prize was awarded by whom the studio felt was the best singer. When my D. was with her studio she was asked if she would like to do say singing at the mall or a play etc..but there was never any pressure. And in D's case she did just a couple small things - she sang a few solos at the mall, did a recital and that was about it. Good experience for D. and certainly very normal for any music student. There was certainly no commission for gigs (not sure what you meant here btw) or exploitation. It was a competition and the studio awarded the lessons as the top prize. </p>
<p>At the time D. tried out she felt she had outgrown her other teacher whom she had taken lessons from since she was 5. She took two years in a row from the place where she won the free lesson (she won her lessons free for two years) and we thought she was an excellent teacher but she got sick alot and was very busy so there were numerous misses, thus we did not feel the progress being made was as good as it could be.</p>
<p>So the next year she switched teachers. The new teacher has been awarding scholarships for years (almost all of the teachers around here award some types of scholarships based on practice, voice etc).
Anyway at the end of her first year the teacher selected the winners and D. was one of them. </p>
<p>This was wonderful for us as we planned to stay with her anyway.</p>
<p>There are also scholarships around here based on monetary need and they are with our local community foundation..But D. has never participated in those. In addition there are scholarships sponsored by public service groups like Rotary etc. D. has won two of these and was awarded a scholarship to use towards college in both.</p>