<p>For a variety of reasons, my D (undergrad vocal perf) was not able to do sample lessons with teachers prior to applying to schools. Now that she's been accepted, what is the best way of going about this? Has anyone been in a similar situation?</p>
<p>Do we just ask for a "random" teacher? Try to find out from others who might be the most suitable? Generally speaking, will whoever the school offers up be the one who is ultimately her teacher? </p>
<p>Desperate for suggestions. I did look through the threads but have not come up with much for this situation.</p>
<p>Would it be possible to arrange a sample lesson with any of them before May 1, when acceptances are generally due?</p>
<p>Word of mouth is often a good approach when you can get it from students of the teachers in question.</p>
<p>The school will undoubtedly place her in a studio if they do not get a specific request. Depending on the personalities involved, switching studios later can be relatively painless or it can cause quite a stir. It is usually a good idea when there are more than one possible teacher to do some research and find the best match if you can. You have a much better bargaining position before sending in your deposit than afterward.</p>
<p>One thing to do is to talk to parents here on CC who have kids attending the schools your D is considering. They can provide some incite into teachers and schools that may save you some last minute running around… You may have to look at the Final Decision threads from the past few years, but the “dads” can help you if you have trouble finding the links (those guys are great and we don’t tell them that enough!)</p>
<p>I think at most places, we will not have trouble getting a lesson prior to May 1. Is it reasonable to look for students here on CC and then PM them about teachers?</p>
<p>If someone has PM turned on, then it is reasonable. If they don’t, then I would leave them alone rather than posting something to their attention. To find people at specific schools, check the final decision threads for the last few years.</p>
<p>I pulled up some prior threads and did a quick scan. Some of these may help, but you may have already seen them. </p>
<p>The first addresses Bassdad’s points about studio assignments specifically, not sample lessons but I know the question will come up soon from someone.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064007224-post10.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1064007224-post10.html</a></p>
<p>Some of these may help, but you may have already seen them.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/334339-taking-practice-preview-lessons-before-applying-conservatories.html?highlight=lessons[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/334339-taking-practice-preview-lessons-before-applying-conservatories.html?highlight=lessons</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/559919-sample-lessons-teacher.html?highlight=lessons[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/559919-sample-lessons-teacher.html?highlight=lessons</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/341209-critical-have-lessons-before-auditions.html?highlight=lessons[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/341209-critical-have-lessons-before-auditions.html?highlight=lessons</a>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/274668-where-start-vocal-performance-sample-lessons.html?highlight=lessons[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/274668-where-start-vocal-performance-sample-lessons.html?highlight=lessons</a> (See in particular shennie’s post #7)</p>
<p>I’m sure there was research done on specific faculty in choosing the schools your d applied to. I would contact the ones that she was drawn to. </p>
<p>I’m with Mezzo’sMama in using your network, including this one. I’ve recommended it before, both in on board posts and in pm’s. I’ve yet to have anyone come back and tell me it was an affront or an intrusion for being asked to help or offer insight. That’s the beauty of this board. And my guess is most see it as a way of “paying back” for any advice they have gotten here.</p>
<p>Use the masters. If you have trouble locating anyone or finding a user ask and I’ll try. Do be aware that there are names on the masters with very limited posts. If you look at the users profile, it will give you a last activity date. If it’s been a long duration of no activity, you can email using cc’s feature from the same drop down menu that will generate a profile or pm. Again, if you need assistance ask.</p>
<p>Thank you, dads and Mezzo’sMama. I wish I had seen CC a few years ago!! I’d be in much better shape now! Thanks again!</p>
<p>You’re doing fine, this whole procedure tries the patience of a saint! And to make it worse, our kids sit back and watch their friends who are not arts majors filling out applications and having decisions in hand months and months before they do. Hang in there, this is one great support group!</p>
<p>I had scheduled four practice lessons after auditioning. They ultimately helped me to decide.</p>
<p>I definitely recommend getting them in before May, they’re quite helpful.</p>
<p>Also, if you talk with any one professor, or have heard good things about them from anywhere, I would approach them. Also, pick a prof. that sings/teaches your appropriate voice type (if voice) and obviously instrument. </p>
<p>I totally loved my post lessons. :)</p>
<p>Don’t forget to ask your music teacher for suggestions also - D’s teachers were able to give her feedback on people by seeing the list of who teaches at each school. (Sometimes the feedback conflicted, but that’s what makes life interesting, eh?)</p>
<p>DD did almost all of her sample lessons after acceptance when she was deciding between the final 3 choices. For one she was accepted into the studio she had requested based on information mostly from this forum. The others were with contacts from her voice teacher. These lessons were different because they were really figuring out if they would work well together. We missed on one of them, did not request the right person, but it was the bottom of her choices anyhow. She ended up in the studio we learned about here.</p>
<p>And another thing, don’t put a lot of stock in teacher’s bios- they performed this role here and that role there. It can help to see where her/his voice type was(still may be?!), but not all great performers make great teachers and some excellent teachers may not have a huge performance resume. It’s important to inquire as to the teacher’s plans for the years your D intends to be at the school, such as, do they anticipate taking a sabbatical or how likely they may be to accept a position at another school should one be offered. This needs to be done with tact and grace, but I think one is entitled to know, considering how much money and time is going to be invested. A young woman I know of was shuttled between studios when her teacher suddenly decamped for another school after her sophomore year and it had a powerfully negative impact upon the remaining years there, while another student at another school is on the third teacher in as many years due to positions more to their liking having been offered to the faculty members.</p>