<p>A few of the top voice programs in the US (in my opinion are) as follows:</p>
<p>Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
IU has a very large program...its some times called the factory as it turns out hundreds of young singers. They employ many of the finest voice teachers from across the nation. Many people have recognized that IU has hired many well known singers to teach there. Sylvia McNair and Carol Vaness are some of their most famous teachers. It must be noted however that the best teachers are not always the most famous singers
however Ive heard good things about these two women. IU is raked #1 by US News online as a graduate school. Often undergraduates have complained that they are passed over for performance opportunities by more experienced graduate level singers. It is part of the huge Indiana University located in the Midwestern college town of Bloomington. Well known graduates include Angela Brown, Lawrence Brownlee, Elizabeth Futral and Heidi Grant Murphy. IU produces six fully staged operas each year.</p>
<p>University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
CCMs voice program is small in numbers. The school offers an acceptance to only 5-25 undergraduate students each year. The graduating classes tend to be around 12 students total. This school is one of a handful programs which only offers a place to students they feel confident will succeed and go on to have a successful career. They employ many of the nations top teachers such as Barbra Honn, Kenneth Shaw and Bill McGraw. CCM is rakend #3 by US News and World Report. It is a self-governing college of the large University of Cincinnati located in the large Midwestern City of Cincinnati, Ohio. The city has many performance opportunities as well as a thriving arts scene. Well known graduates of the program include David Daniles, Wayne Tiggs, Barbara Daniels and Kathleen Battle. CCM produces six fully staged operas each year including an undergraduate production.</p>
<p>University of Southern California Thornton School of Music
USCs voice program relatively small in numbers. The school offers an acceptance to only about thirty undergraduate students each year. They employ some of the nations top teachers such as Elizabeth Hynes. It is located in beautiful Pasadena California, a suburb of LA. It is a college of the large University of Southern California. Well known graduates include Rod Gilfry and some time ago Marilyn Horne. The school produces two fully staged operas each year and one program of staged opera scenes.</p>
<p>Oberlin College Oberlin Conservatory
Oberlin offers a top notch program that is very small. They have a tradition of turning our top singers and for having a focus on their undergraduate students. While in the pastoral setting or rural Ohio in Midwestern Ohio the school continually attracts top performers for their annual vocal concert. Oberlin is known internationally for its liberal and politically active student body and as a top liberal arts college. Last year Juan Diago Florez sang and Marilyn Horne offered master classes, this year Anne Sofie von Otter will sing. The school has a reputation for having fine teachers. One notable graduate of this program is Denyce Graves. Oberlin stages two operas a year.</p>
<p>The Julliard School
The world famous Julliard School has medium sized program. Admission numbers change from year to year based on the amount of talent heard at auditions. This school is one of a handful programs which only offers a place to students they feel confident will succeed and go on to have a successful career. They employ many of the nations top teachers such as Marlena Malas and Edith Bers. Julliard is an independent conservatory located at Lincoln Center in New York City. The school is just across the Street from the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Opera, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and many other fine arts institutions. Often undergraduates have complained that they are passed over for performance opportunities by more experienced graduate level singers. A well known graduate is Renée Fleming. The school offers two fully staged productions each year.</p>
<p>Manhattan School of Music
MSM has a medium sized program. They accept about thirty students each year. They employ many of the nations top teachers. MSM is an independent conservatory located in Manhattans Manhattanville (near Columbia and Barnard) neighborhood, in Julliards old building. MSM is only a fifteen minute ride down the Red Line to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Opera, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and many other fine arts institutions. Often undergraduates have complained that they are passed over for performance opportunities by more experienced graduate level singers. Well known graduates are Catharine Malfinato, Susan Graham, Dawn Upshaw and Dolora Zajick.</p>
<p>Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis is a small program. The school offers an acceptance to only 5-20 undergraduate students each year. The graduating classes tend to be around 12 students total. This school is one of a handful programs which only offers a place to students they feel confident will succeed and go on to have a successful career. The school offers the best American voice teachers some of whom also teach at Manhattan or Juilliard. Curtis is an independent conservatory located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is unique in that students, once accepted, must only pay for living expenses. Tuition is provided by grants. Well known graduates are Juan Diego Flórez and long ago Anna Moffo.</p>
<p>Eastman is also very good, but I don't know much about it.</p>
<p>I feel that these are the top programs in America. Others include Boston Conservatory, New England Conservatory, the University of Michigan School of Music, Northwestern University School of Music, and Rice University Sheppard School of Music. I know these schools have good reputations but I dont know enough about them to write about them.</p>